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Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets

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Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets preview
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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

This workflow shows a low code approach to parsing an XML file and storing its contents in a Google Sheets spreadsheet. To run the workflow: Make sure you are running n8n 0...

Best for

  • Document Extraction automation workflows
  • intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.xml, n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.itemlists, n8n-nodes-base.merge

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Tom.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets
Workflow name
Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets

This workflow shows a low code approach to parsing an XML file and storing its contents in a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

To run the workflow:

  • Make sure you are running n8n 0.197 or newer
  • Have n8n authenticated with Google Sheets

How it's done:

  1. This workflow first downloads an example file using the HTTP Request node and reads this file using the XML node.
  2. It then runs the Item Lists node to split out the individual food items from the example file.
  3. It then splits up the workflow into a separate branch creating a new spreadsheet file using the Google Sheets node. To read the column names we're using the Object.keys() method inside a Set node.
  4. Once the spreadsheet is created (the workflow waits for this using the Merge node), the data is appended to the newly created sheet (again using the Google Sheets node).

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - On clicking 'execute'

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger - manualTrigger
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 3 - Download XML File

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 3

Block 4 - Parse XML content

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.xml - xml
Config choices
Version 1

Block 5 - Create new spreadsheet file

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices
Version 2

Block 6 - Define header row

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 1

Block 7 - Split out food items

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.itemLists - itemLists
Config choices
Version 1

Block 8 - Write header row

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices
Version 2

Block 9 - Wait for spreadsheet creation

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 2

Block 10 - Write data to sheet

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices
Version 2

3. Summary Table

Workflow Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 10
Categories Document Extraction
Author Tom
Published 11 Oct 2022

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/1810/1810.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Read XML file and store content in Google Sheets do?

This workflow shows a low code approach to parsing an XML file and storing its contents in a Google Sheets spreadsheet. To run the workflow: Make sure you are running n8n 0...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Document Extraction use case.