Create Two XML Files with and without XML Attributes

This n8n workflow demonstrates how to dynamically generate two distinct XML files from a single data source: one with XML attributes and another without. It's a useful pattern for scenarios where you need to produce different XML representations of the same data for various downstream systems or purposes.

What it does

This workflow performs the following steps:

1. Initial Data Setup (Edit Fields - Set): Defines a sample JSON dataset that will be used as the source for XML generation. This data includes fields that will later be converted into XML elements and attributes.
2. Generate XML with Attributes (XML): Takes the initial JSON data and converts it into an XML string, including attributes as defined by the XML node's configuration.
3. Convert to Binary Data (Convert to/from binary data): Transforms the generated XML string into binary data, preparing it for file writing.
4. Write XML with Attributes to File (Write Binary File): Saves the binary XML data to a file named with_attributes.xml.
5. Generate XML without Attributes (XML1): Takes the initial JSON data again and converts it into an XML string, this time configured to exclude attributes.
6. Convert to Binary Data (Convert to/from binary data1): Transforms the second generated XML string into binary data.
7. Write XML without Attributes to File (Write Binary File1): Saves the second binary XML data to a file named without_attributes.xml.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• n8n Instance: A running n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud).
• Local File System Access: The Write Binary File nodes will write files to the local file system where your n8n instance is running. Ensure n8n has appropriate write permissions to the desired directory.

Setup/Usage

1. Import the workflow:
   • Copy the provided JSON code.
   • In your n8n instance, go to "Workflows" and click "New".
   • Click the three dots menu (...) in the top right and select "Import from JSON".
   • Paste the JSON code and click "Import".
2. Configure File Paths (Optional):
   • By default, the Write Binary File nodes will save files to the n8n working directory.
   • If you wish to save the XML files to a specific location, open each Write Binary File node and update the "File Path" field to your desired directory and filename (e.g., /tmp/with_attributes.xml).
3. Execute the workflow:
   • Click the "Execute Workflow" button in the n8n editor.
   • The workflow will run, and two XML files (with_attributes.xml and without_attributes.xml) will be created in the specified output directory.
   • You can inspect the generated XML files to see the difference in attribute handling.