How to use binary as variable through workflow?

Saravicius · May 8, 2023, 12:00pm

Could you please explain what “binary” means in the context of your workflow? I received a BINARY file via IMAP email, which happens to be an Excel file. I would like to extract and analyze its content, and perform some additional actions.

In my case, it looks like this:

I’m not sure how to use this BINARY file in n8n. I can’t find it as a variable value in the VARIABLES SELECTOR, which I could use to access all the binary data.

Been using this type of workflow in Make.com and it was kinda clear… Now I don’t get it how to achieve the same with n8n.

Can anyone help me out with this?

EmeraldHerald · May 8, 2023, 12:57pm

hi @Saravicius!

You could use the “Read PDF” node to accomplish what you’re looking for, I believe - you can read more about it here.

Here’s a quick workflow with an example PDF I grabbed from a site for test data:

One caveat to note: This won’t work with a passworded file

Saravicius · May 9, 2023, 5:28am

But the questions is not about that Which value from previous NODES is a binary date to use. I don’t get it. As you see in my screenshot - there is:

File extension
File name
File size
MimeType

I don’t get which value is actual binary data (file)?

BramKn · May 9, 2023, 5:57am

Hi @Saravicius

It depends a bit on what you want to do exactly. As you cannot simply grab the binary data and then add that into an email extension for example. Binary data is treated differently, except when you first convert it to json. This can be done with the “Move Binary Data” node.
If a node allows you to attach Binary data it will also give you that option and what you then reference is simply the name of the binary data. In you screenshot that would be attachment_0.
In the screenshot below the Source Key is the binary data name. (default is data but in your case could be attachment_0)