# An error occurred during file extraction **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** bug:unconfirmed\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 10:27am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265 "2026-10-29T10:27:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:27am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/1 "2026-10-29T10:27:05Z")
Hi everyone, I’ve created another workflow in n8n. The goal is to automatically read all invoices that arrive in my email inbox and save them to a database. However, the **“Extract from File”** node unfortunately isn’t working as expected. I’m stuck at this point. Since I’m still new to working with n8n, I would really appreciate your help and tips for solving this problem. Thank you in advance! 😊 ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/original/3X/3/8/38092f0ce4ae70596798f2292a1def02df67ccc6.png) ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/original/3X/0/7/071cf41a5017ea82eef6374f9e3bed156b0d3af7.png) ---
**Author:** ![n8n](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/n8n/32/196425_2.png) [@n8n](https://community.n8n.io/u/n8n)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:27am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/2 "2026-10-29T10:27:55Z")
Hey @Tanushree1, while you wait for a response, here are some things that might help: > **Suggested resources** > > _Automatically matched to your question._ > > **Docs:** > > - [Extract From File](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.extractfromfile) > > **Forum:** > > - [“Extract from File” node error “This operation expects the node’s input data to contain a binary file ‘attachment\_0’, but none was found [item 4]”](https://community.n8n.io/t/78157) > - [Can’t “Extract from File” if there are other nodes in between](https://community.n8n.io/t/235882) > - [Workflow to process PDFs as well, just as it does with compressed files](https://community.n8n.io/t/88072) @solomon, @salmansolutions - you’ve helped with similar issues before, can you take a look? _Automatically suggested by n8n’s community bot. It’s a pilot - [please share feedback here](https://community.n8n.io/t/pilot-forum-helper-bot/304669)._ ---
**Author:** ![Sardar1](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/sardar1/32/197513_2.png) [@Sardar1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Sardar1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:50am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/4 "2026-10-29T10:50:31Z")
Hi Tanushree, Thanks for sharing the screenshot! The error indicates that the **Extract From File** node cannot find the binary field `attachment_0` in its input item. Since `attachment_0` is visible in the Binary tab, I would suggest the following checks: 1. Re-execute the previous `Split Out2` node and inspect its output. 2. Confirm that the item passed to `Extract From File2` contains the binary property `attachment_0`. 3. Make sure the **Input Binary Field** value matches the actual binary property name exactly. 4. If the binary data is missing after the Split Out node, check the Split Out configuration to ensure the attachment data is preserved. If the issue persists, could you share the output of `Split Out2` in JSON and Binary views? That would help identify where the binary field is being lost. Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 10:56am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/5 "2026-10-29T10:56:00Z")
Hi, Thanks for your quick response! What can I do to fix the problem? Do you have any ideas? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Tanushree ---
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 11:03am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/6 "2026-10-29T11:03:44Z")
If you look at my workflow, you can see that the “Extract from File” node already receives a PDF file as input from its previous node. However, what I don’t quite understand is why I need to additionally specify the “Input Binary Field” field in the “Extract from File” node, even though the PDF file is already being passed. Can someone explain to me why this field is required and what value I need to enter there? Thank you so much for your help! 😊 ---
**Author:** ![krystianslowik](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/krystianslowik/32/153848_2.png) [@krystianslowik](https://community.n8n.io/u/krystianslowik)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/7 "2026-10-29T12:27:30Z")
Hi @Tanushree1! The PDF is passed to the node as binary data. An item can contain more than one file, so **Input Binary Field** tells Extract From File which file to read. In your screenshot, the binary field is named `attachment_0`, so that’s the value to enter. I can also see why this is confusing: the file appears in the input, but the error says the field is missing. Could you clear **Input Binary Field** , type `attachment_0` again without any spaces, and execute the node once more? If it still fails, please share a fresh screenshot of the input and error after that run. ---
**Author:** ![Sardar1](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/sardar1/32/197513_2.png) [@Sardar1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Sardar1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/8 "2026-10-29T13:06:48Z")
Hi Tanushree, Great question! In n8n, the PDF file is passed as binary data, and the **Input Binary Field** tells the Extract From File node which binary property contains the file. For example, if you open the **Binary** tab of the previous node and see a property named `attachment_0`, enter `attachment_0` in the Input Binary Field. The field name depends on the actual binary property provided by the previous node, so it is best to check the Binary tab rather than guess the value. Even if the PDF is visible in the input, the node still needs to know which binary property to read. Hope this clarifies it! ---
**Author:** ![Shafique\_Mumtaz](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/shafique_mumtaz/32/196437_2.png) [@Shafique\_Mumtaz](https://community.n8n.io/u/Shafique_Mumtaz)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/9 "2026-10-29T15:29:38Z")
That error just means the item reaching Extract From File has no file attached under the name attachment\_0 — the node reads file bytes from binary data, not from the JSON fields, so the Input Binary Field tells it which binary property to read. Quick way to pin it down: open the node just before Extract From File and check its output — switch to the binary view and see if attachment\_0 is actually there. If it’s missing, the file got lost one step earlier (often at the Split Out step), so re-run that node and check again before Extract runs. If the binary property is there but under a different name, copy that exact name into Input Binary Field. Once the item going into Extract actually carries the file, the error should clear. ---
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/10 "2026-10-30T07:30:49Z")
Hello Krystian, yes, I tried that because AI said so too. But the error is still there. Thank you very much! Best regards Tanushree ---
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/11 "2026-10-30T09:20:13Z")
Hello Shafique, yes, I checked my previous node and there I see binary file “ **attachment\_0** ”. I don’t know how to proceed. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/original/3X/1/c/1c6dce003d074cc928c6c6068b892e3d5944888f.png) Thank you! Tanushree ---
**Author:** ![Shafique\_Mumtaz](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/shafique_mumtaz/32/196437_2.png) [@Shafique\_Mumtaz](https://community.n8n.io/u/Shafique_Mumtaz)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/12 "2026-10-30T15:31:51Z")
Thanks for checking that — that rules out a typo in the field name, so the next check is what Extract from File itself actually receives, rather than what Split Out shows. Open the Extract from File node and look at its own input panel, on the binary tab. That shows the exact item going into the node, which can differ from Split Out’s displayed output if that output is pinned or from an older run. If attachment\_0 is missing from Extract’s input, the file is getting lost at the Split Out step — Split Out splits the JSON items, and the binary file doesn’t always travel with each split item. As a test, connect the node before Split Out straight into Extract and run it: if that works, Split Out is where the file is lost, and the file path needs to reach Extract unsplit. If attachment\_0 IS there in Extract’s input and it still errors, clear any pinned data on both nodes and re-execute the full workflow from the start — a stale pinned output is the usual culprit then. If it’s still failing after that, a screenshot of Extract’s own input panel would pin it down. ---
**Author:** ![Leung\_Alex](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/n8n/user_avatar/community.n8n.io/leung_alex/32/197098_2.png) [@Leung\_Alex](https://community.n8n.io/u/Leung_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/13 "2026-11-01T03:22:01Z")
Quick pin: Split Out often keeps JSON but drops binary. Open Extract From File → Input panel → Binary tab. If attachment\_0 is missing there (even when Split Out showed it), the file was lost at the split. Test: connect the node _before_ Split Out straight into Extract, set Input Binary Field to exactly attachment\_0 (no spaces), clear pinned data, re-run from the start. If that works, either skip splitting the binary item, or Aggregate/Merge so each item that reaches Extract still carries the PDF. Once extraction works: Gmail label → PDF only → extract → validate totals → Sheets (or your DB) + Slack on fails is a solid invoice path. I packaged that pattern as an importable workflow if useful: [n8n Workflow: Gmail Invoice PDF → Google Sheets + Slack](https://tungfud.gumroad.com/l/bjqgdz) (early bird). Happy to answer follow-ups either way. ---
**Author:** ![Tanushree1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Tanushree1](https://community.n8n.io/u/Tanushree1)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 12:04pm UTC](https://community.n8n.io/t/ein-fehler-beim-extract-file/325265/14 "2026-11-02T12:04:07Z")
Hello everyone, I still have a question about my n8n workflow. I want to automatically save all invoices that arrive in my email inbox as PDF files in my EcoDMS invoice archive. Which node should I use for this in n8n? Is an **HTTP Request node** sufficient, or do I need a different node to transfer the PDF files correctly to EcoDMS? I’ve already set up an HTTP Request node for logging in to EcoDMS. The login works, but I’m not yet sure exactly how to upload and archive the invoice PDFs afterwards. Since I’m still a beginner with n8n, I would really appreciate your help and concrete tips on how to implement this. Thank you in advance! 😊