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Create a CRUD REST API with Google Sheets database

Viktor KlepikovskyiViktor Klepikovskyi
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2/3/2026
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Simple REST API with Google Sheets

Introduction

This workflow template demonstrates how to quickly and easily create a simple REST API using n8n and a Google Sheet as a no-code database. It's a perfect starting point for building a backend for small applications, prototypes, or internal tools without writing any code.

Purpose

The purpose of this template is to provide a complete, ready-to-use n8n workflow that handles all fundamental CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. The workflow uses a single Webhook trigger to handle POST, GET, PUT, and DELETE requests, allowing you to manage data in your Google Sheet through standard API calls.

Setup Instructions

To get started with this template, follow these steps:

  1. Prepare your Google Sheet: Create a new Google Sheet and add the following column headers in the first row: name, email, and status. You can use this example Google Sheet as a starting point. This sheet will serve as your database.
  2. Authenticate: In the n8n workflow, connect your Google Account credentials to the Google Sheets nodes.
  3. Select your data: Choose the Google Sheet and the corresponding sheet name from the drop-down lists in each of the Google Sheets nodes.
  4. Activate: Save and activate the workflow.
  5. Test the API: Use a tool like curl, Postman, or Insomnia to test your new API endpoints. The base URL will be your n8n webhook URL followed by /items.

Example curl Commands:

  • POST (Create): curl -X POST YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL/items -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"name": "Alice", "email": "alice@example.com", "status": "active"}'
  • GET (Read All): curl -X GET YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL/items/all
  • GET (Read Single): curl -X GET YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL/items?id=2
  • PUT (Update): curl -X PUT YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL/items?id=2 -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"status": "inactive"}'
  • DELETE (Delete): curl -X DELETE YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_URL/items?id=2

For more detailed instructions, including building the workflow in n8n, check out the full blog post: Build a Simple REST API in 10 Minutes with n8n & Google Sheets

Create a CRUD REST API with Google Sheets Database

This n8n workflow demonstrates how to build a basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) REST API using a Google Sheet as a database. It allows external applications to interact with your Google Sheet data via a webhook, providing a simple way to manage information without complex backend infrastructure.

What it does

This workflow simplifies interaction with a Google Sheet by:

  1. Receiving API Requests: It acts as a REST API endpoint, listening for incoming HTTP requests (e.g., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) via a webhook.
  2. Processing Data: It processes the incoming request data, preparing it for Google Sheets operations.
  3. Interacting with Google Sheets: It performs the requested CRUD operations (e.g., reading rows, adding new data, updating existing entries) on a specified Google Sheet.
  4. Responding to Requests: It sends back a response to the original API caller, indicating the success or failure of the operation and returning any relevant data.

Prerequisites/Requirements

To use this workflow, you will need:

  • n8n Account: An active n8n instance (cloud or self-hosted).
  • Google Account: A Google account with access to Google Sheets.
  • Google Sheets Credential: An n8n credential configured for Google Sheets. This typically involves OAuth 2.0 to grant n8n access to your Google Sheets.
  • Google Sheet: A Google Sheet set up to store your data, which will serve as your "database".

Setup/Usage

  1. Import the Workflow:
    • Download the provided JSON file.
    • In your n8n instance, click "Workflows" in the left sidebar.
    • Click "New" -> "Import from JSON" and paste the workflow JSON or upload the file.
  2. Configure Google Sheets Credential:
    • Locate the "Google Sheets" node.
    • Click on the "Credential" field and select an existing Google Sheets OAuth 2.0 credential or create a new one. Follow the n8n documentation for setting up Google Sheets credentials if needed.
  3. Configure the Google Sheet:
    • In the "Google Sheets" node, specify the "Spreadsheet ID" and "Sheet Name" of your Google Sheet that you want to use as your database.
    • Ensure your Google Sheet has appropriate headers for the data you intend to store and retrieve.
  4. Activate the Webhook:
    • Locate the "Webhook" node.
    • Copy the "Webhook URL". This URL will be your API endpoint.
    • Set the "HTTP Method" to GET or POST as required by your API design (the workflow is generic and can be extended to handle all CRUD methods).
  5. Test the API:
    • You can now send HTTP requests to the copied Webhook URL using tools like Postman, Insomnia, curl, or from another application.
    • The "Respond to Webhook" node will send back the results of the Google Sheets operation.

Note: This workflow provides the basic structure. You will need to expand the logic (e.g., using If nodes, Switch nodes, or Code nodes) to differentiate between GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests and perform the corresponding Google Sheets operations based on the incoming webhook data.

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