Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx)

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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 will help guide you through obtaining a spreadsheet file, reading it, making a change then saving it to local or cloud storage.

Best for

File Management automation workflows
advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.readbinaryfile, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.writebinaryfile, n8n-nodes-base.googledrive, n8n-nodes-base.microsoftonedrive, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.set

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx)
Workflow name: Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx)

This workflow will help guide you through obtaining a spreadsheet file, reading it, making a change then saving it to local or cloud storage.

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 - Note

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

Block 2 - Note1

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

Block 3 - Read Binary File

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

Block 4 - Note7

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

Block 5 - Note8

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

Block 6 - On clicking 'execute'

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

Block 7 - Note2

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

Block 8 - Note4

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

Block 9 - Note5

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

Block 10 - Write Binary File

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

Block 11 - Note6

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

Block 12 - Note9

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

Block 13 - Note10

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

Block 14 - Note11

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

Block 15 - Note3

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

Block 16 - Download from Google Drive

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

Block 17 - Download from Microsoft OneDrive

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

Block 18 - Download Excel File

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

Block 19 - Work out Age

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

Block 20 - Upload to SFTP

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

Block 21 - Upload to Google Drive

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

Block 22 - Upload to Microsoft OneDrive

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

Block 23 - Read Spreadsheet File

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

Block 24 - Write Spreadsheet File

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx)
Complexity	advanced
Nodes	24
Categories	File Management
Author	n8n Team
Published	18 Nov 2022

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/1826/1826.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

Frequently asked questions

What does Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx) do?

This workflow will help guide you through obtaining a spreadsheet file, reading it, making a change then saving it to local or cloud storage.

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 use case.

n8n Team

90 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote n8n-nodes-base.readbinaryfile n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger n8n-nodes-base.writebinaryfile n8n-nodes-base.googledrive n8n-nodes-base.microsoftonedrive n8n-nodes-base.httprequest n8n-nodes-base.set

Complexity

advanced

Published 18 Nov 2022

Likes 0

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Install path: /data/workflows/1826/1826.json

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Working with Excel spreadsheet files (xls & xlsx)

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Note

Block 2 - Note1

Block 3 - Read Binary File

Block 4 - Note7

Block 5 - Note8

Block 6 - On clicking 'execute'

Block 7 - Note2

Block 8 - Note4

Block 9 - Note5

Block 10 - Write Binary File

Block 11 - Note6

Block 12 - Note9

Block 13 - Note10

Block 14 - Note11

Block 15 - Note3

Block 16 - Download from Google Drive

Block 17 - Download from Microsoft OneDrive

Block 18 - Download Excel File

Block 19 - Work out Age

Block 20 - Upload to SFTP

Block 21 - Upload to Google Drive

Block 22 - Upload to Microsoft OneDrive

Block 23 - Read Spreadsheet File

Block 24 - Write Spreadsheet File

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