How to access binary data from previous node

[Angel_Todorov]

Describe the problem/error/question

I want to access binary data a few nodes after the web hook that receives it.
If the node is right after the webhook node, I can use {{$binary.screenshot}}, where screenshot is the name of the binary data and it works. However, if I am on the node that is a few nodes behind the web hook node, I cannot figure it out how to access the binary data.

Information on your n8n setup

• n8n version: 1.61.0
• Database (default: SQLite): Postgres
• n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):
• Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): Docker
• Operating system: Ubuntu

[gualter]

hi @Angel_Todorov

You can try:

{{ $('Convert to File').item.binary.screenshot }}

Assuming said previous node is called “Convert to File”. Adjust to the name of the node if needed.

Hope this helps!

[Dogway]

Same issue, but for me with binary.data, composing attachments for GMail node:
This is the error

Problem in node ‘Send eMail‘
property.split is not a function or its return value is not iterable (item 0)

And this the expressions (also tested with only one attachment):

"property": "={{ $('to DOCX').item.binary.data }}"
"property": "={{ $('to DOCX1').item.binary.data }}"

[gualter]

mind sharing the workflow? did my previous suggestion help?

[Dogway]

No, it didn’t work, I opened a thread now here.