Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Google Drive Folder Duplicator This n8n workflow creates a complete recursive copy of any Google Drive folder, preserving the entire folder structure, all files, and sharing permissions. What It Do...

Best for

File Management automation workflows
Multimodal AI automation workflows
advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflow, n8n-nodes-base.filter, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation
Workflow name: Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation

Google Drive Folder Duplicator

This n8n workflow creates a complete recursive copy of any Google Drive folder, preserving the entire folder structure, all files, and sharing permissions.

What It Does

Duplicates folders with unlimited nested subfolders
Copies all files maintaining original names and metadata
Preserves sharing permissions (users, groups, domains)
Creates identical folder hierarchy in target location

How It Works

Initialize: Sets source/target folders and creates main destination folder
Recursive Processing: Scans each folder level, splits files from subfolders
File Handling: Copies files and applies original permissions
Folder Handling: Creates subfolders and applies original permissions
Self-Recursion: Calls itself for each subfolder to process unlimited nested levels

Key Features

Unlimited Depth: Handles any number of nested folder levels
Permission Preservation: Maintains exact sharing settings

Requirements

Google Drive OAuth2 credentials with drive access

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 - Set Configuration

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

Block 2 - Create Main Folder

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

Block 3 - Start Recursive Processing

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflow - executeWorkflow
Config choices: Version 1.2

Block 4 - Main Completion

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

Block 5 - Prepare File Data

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

Block 6 - Recursive Call to Self

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflow - executeWorkflow
Config choices: Version 1.2

Block 7 - Level Completion

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

Block 8 - Search Folder Contents1

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

Block 9 - Filter Files Only1

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

Block 10 - Filter Folders Only1

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

Block 11 - Copy File1

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

Block 12 - Check File Has Permissions1

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

Block 13 - Prepare File Permissions1

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

Block 14 - Apply File Permission1

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

Block 15 - Create Subfolder1

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

Block 16 - Prepare Folder Data1

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

Block 17 - Check Folder Has Permissions1

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

Block 18 - Prepare Folder Permissions1

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

Block 19 - Apply Folder Permission1

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

Block 20 - Sticky Note

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

Block 21 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 22 - Sticky Note3

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation
Complexity	advanced
Nodes	22
Categories	File Management, Multimodal AI
Author	Annie To
Published	14 Aug 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/7402/7402.json as the source template for this automation.
2. Import the template into n8n

Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
3. Configure credentials and variables

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

Download workflow JSON Original n8n.io source File Management workflows Multimodal AI workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation do?

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 File Management, Multimodal AI use case.

Annie To

2 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.set n8n-nodes-base.googledrive n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflow n8n-nodes-base.filter n8n-nodes-base.if n8n-nodes-base.code n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Complexity

advanced

Published 14 Aug 2025

Likes 0

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Install path: /data/workflows/7402/7402.json

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Recursive Google Drive folder duplicator with permission preservation

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

Google Drive Folder Duplicator

What It Does

How It Works

Key Features

Requirements

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Set Configuration

Block 2 - Create Main Folder

Block 3 - Start Recursive Processing

Block 4 - Main Completion

Block 5 - Prepare File Data

Block 6 - Recursive Call to Self

Block 7 - Level Completion

Block 8 - Search Folder Contents1

Block 9 - Filter Files Only1

Block 10 - Filter Folders Only1

Block 11 - Copy File1

Block 12 - Check File Has Permissions1

Block 13 - Prepare File Permissions1

Block 14 - Apply File Permission1

Block 15 - Create Subfolder1

Block 16 - Prepare Folder Data1

Block 17 - Check Folder Has Permissions1

Block 18 - Prepare Folder Permissions1

Block 19 - Apply Folder Permission1

Block 20 - Sticky Note

Block 21 - Sticky Note2

Block 22 - Sticky Note3

3. Summary Table

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

2. Import the template into n8n

3. Configure credentials and variables

4. Test with sample data

5. Activate and monitor

5. General Notes & Resources

Frequently asked questions