n8n Binary File Handling Example

This n8n workflow demonstrates a basic example of how to handle and write binary data within a workflow. It showcases the use of core n8n nodes for data manipulation and file output.

What it does

This workflow performs the following steps:

1. Starts the workflow: Initiates the execution process.
2. Converts data to/from binary: Utilizes the "Convert to/from binary data" node, which typically prepares data for binary operations or transforms it from a binary format.
3. Writes binary data to a file: Takes the processed binary data and writes it to a file using the "Write Binary File" node.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• n8n Instance: An active n8n instance where you can import and run workflows.
• File System Access: The n8n instance needs appropriate permissions to write files to the specified location on its host system.

Setup/Usage

1. Import the workflow:
   • Copy the JSON content of this workflow.
   • In your n8n instance, click on "Workflows" in the left sidebar.
   • Click "New" or the "+" icon.
   • Select "Import from JSON" and paste the copied JSON.
   • Click "Import".
2. Configure the nodes:
   • Convert to/from binary data: This node is currently configured with default settings. Depending on your specific use case, you might need to configure it to convert specific input data into a binary format or vice-versa.
   • Write Binary File:
     • File Name: Specify the desired name for the output file (e.g., output.txt, image.png).
     • File Path: Define the directory where the file should be saved on the n8n host system. Ensure n8n has write permissions to this path.
     • Input Data: Ensure the data flowing into this node is in the correct binary format, typically from the preceding "Convert to/from binary data" node.
3. Activate the workflow: Once configured, activate the workflow by toggling the "Active" switch in the top right corner.
4. Execute the workflow: You can manually execute the workflow by clicking "Execute Workflow" or set up a trigger node (e.g., a Cron node) to run it on a schedule.

This workflow serves as a foundational example. You would typically integrate other nodes before the "Convert to/from binary data" node to generate or fetch the actual data you wish to process and save as a binary file.