Binary Data Not Passing to HTTP Request Node

Pedro_Souss · March 14, 2025, 7:54pm

Description

I am currently working on a workflow in n8n where I download a DOCX/PDF file from Google Drive and then pass it to CloudConvert via an HTTP request for conversion to text. However, when attempting to send the binary file, I receive the following error:

NodeOperationError: This operation expects the node’s input data to contain a binary file ‘[object Object]’, but none was found [item 0]


**What I Have Tried**

1. **Verified Binary Data Exists:**
  * The node **"Descarga archivo original" (Download File)** correctly downloads the file.
  * The binary **view in n8n** shows the file with a **"Download" button**, and clicking it successfully downloads the file.
  * The downloaded file comes from an **n8n URL**, meaning n8n does have the binary stored.
2. **Expression Used to Reference Binary Data:**
  * I used the following expression to reference the binary data in my HTTP Request node:


{{ $("Descarga archivo original").item.binary.resume }}


  * According to the **n8n documentation**, this should return the binary object to be passed in the HTTP request.
  * However, the request fails with the error mentioned above.
3. **Checked Binary Data Output:**
  * In the **schema and JSON views**, no **"binary"** field is visible, only metadata like `mimeType`, `id`, and `fileName`.
  * However, in the **binary view**, the file is clearly present and downloadable.

**Expected Behavior**

* The **expression should correctly reference the binary file**, allowing it to be passed as a **binary payload** to CloudConvert via an HTTP Request.

#### **Actual Behavior**

* The HTTP request fails because it doesn’t detect the binary file in the expected reference.

**Questions for the Community**

1. **Is there a bug preventing binary data from being referenced properly via expressions?**
2. **Does n8n require an explicit method (e.g., Set node or Merge node) to make binary data available?**
3. **Is there a better way to pass the downloaded binary file to an HTTP request node?**
4. **Does the "Put Output File in Field" option in the Google Drive node affect how binary data is stored and referenced?**

**Environment**

* **n8n Version:** 1.80.5 (Cloud)
* **Node Type in Question:** HTTP Request
* **Google Drive Node Configuration:**
  * **Operation:** Download
  * **Put Output File in Field:** `"resume"`
  * **Google File Conversion:** Enabled (Text format)

**Attachments**

* Screenshot of **binary data output** (word docx document)
* Screenshot of **error message**
* Workflow JSON (if required)

![workflow|690x456](upload://8BHvx7n5s2xGCmufmuCVUSVLzuC.jpeg)

![error msg|690x278](upload://gQs6W1bC2ZZEqJwQ0MO49ufoBdc.jpeg)


![word document|578x500](upload://wH2NCuOHJW5cIkZ6vHToog58gIm.jpeg)

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ThinkBot · March 14, 2025, 8:24pm

Could you ctl a, ctl c to copy the entire workflow and paste into the field that appears when you click the ‘</>’ on the forums here?
It is recommended via the docs to never use direct .binary access, and instead to try access via this helper:

Pedro_Souss · March 15, 2025, 1:29pm

Should I use a code node? Im trying to do it without coding.

Pedro_Souss · March 15, 2025, 4:44pm

Just found a way with a node code as advised.

Put this:

let binaryDataBufferItem = await this.helpers.getBinaryDataBuffer(0, ‘resume’);

return [
{
json: {}, // Keep empty JSON
binary: {
file: {
data: binaryDataBufferItem, // Correct way to reference binary data
fileName: items[0].binary.resume.fileName,
mimeType: items[0].binary.resume.mimeType
}
}
}
];

ThinkBot · March 15, 2025, 4:56pm

Yes to use the file helper it is intended to be used with a code node. Would appreciate if you could mark my recommendation as the solution

system · March 22, 2025, 4:57pm

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