Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

What this workflow does Monitors Google Drive: The workflow triggers whenever a new CSV file is uploaded. Uses AI to Identify PII Columns: The OpenAI node analyzes the data and identifies PII conta...

Best for

Document Extraction automation workflows
AI Summarization automation workflows
intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.googledrivetrigger, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.extractfromfile, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openai, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.splitout, 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 Artur.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI
Workflow name: Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI

What this workflow does

Monitors Google Drive: The workflow triggers whenever a new CSV file is uploaded.
Uses AI to Identify PII Columns: The OpenAI node analyzes the data and identifies PII-containing columns (e.g., name, email, phone).
Removes PII: The workflow filters out these columns from the dataset.
Uploads Cleaned File: The sanitized file is renamed and re-uploaded to Google Drive, ensuring the original data remains intact.

How to customize this workflow to your needs

Adjust PII Identification: Modify the prompt in the OpenAI node to align with your specific data compliance requirements.
Include/Exclude File Types: Adjust the Google Drive Trigger settings to monitor specific file types (e.g., CSV only).
Output Destination: Change the folder in Google Drive where the sanitized file is uploaded.

Setup

Prerequisites:

A Google Drive account.
An OpenAI API key.

Workflow Configuration:

Configure the Google Drive Trigger to monitor a folder for new files.
Configure the OpenAI Node to connect with your API
Set the Google Drive Upload folder to a different location than the Trigger folder to prevent workflow loops.

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 - Google Drive Trigger

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

Block 2 - Google Drive

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

Block 3 - Extract from File

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

Block 4 - OpenAI

Type / Role: @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openAi - openAi
Config choices: Version 1.7

Block 5 - Merge

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

Block 6 - Upload to Drive

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

Block 7 - Get filename

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

Block 8 - Get result

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

Block 9 - Remove PII columns

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

Block 10 - Sticky Note

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI
Complexity	intermediate
Nodes	10
Categories	Document Extraction, AI Summarization
Author	Artur
Published	23 Jan 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/2779/2779.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 Document Extraction workflows AI Summarization workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI 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 Document Extraction, AI Summarization use case.

Artur

9 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.googledrivetrigger n8n-nodes-base.googledrive n8n-nodes-base.extractfromfile @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openai n8n-nodes-base.merge n8n-nodes-base.splitout n8n-nodes-base.code n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Complexity

intermediate

Published 23 Jan 2025

Likes 0

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Install path: /data/workflows/2779/2779.json

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Remove personally identifiable information (PII) from CSV files with OpenAI

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

What this workflow does

How to customize this workflow to your needs

Setup

Prerequisites:

Workflow Configuration:

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Google Drive Trigger

Block 2 - Google Drive

Block 3 - Extract from File

Block 4 - OpenAI

Block 5 - Merge

Block 6 - Upload to Drive

Block 7 - Get filename

Block 8 - Get result

Block 9 - Remove PII columns

Block 10 - Sticky Note

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