N8N cloud, Can't Access Uploaded File Content as Binary From Chat Trigger

[erenaskar]

Hi everyone,

I’m using n8n Cloud and trying to build a workflow that starts with the Chat Trigger node. I want users to upload a file (for example, a .docx document) directly from their computer via chat, and then process the file content in the following nodes.

Currently, when I upload a file through the chat, the Chat Trigger node output only contains the file metadata (such as fileName, fileSize, mimeType, etc.), but there is no file content, file URL, or binary data included in the output. Here is a sample output I get:

[
  {
    "sessionId": "b29499bae34d49d9ac2be9d2c658726d",
    "action": "sendMessage",
    "chatInput": "switch'ten geçir",
    "files": [
      {
        "fileName": "MockMeetingTranscript.docx",
        "fileSize": "15721 bytes",
        "fileExtension": "docx",
        "fileType": "application",
        "mimeType": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
      }
    ]
  }
]

As you can see, there is no file content or download URL.

Is there a way to access the uploaded file’s binary content in the workflow after the Chat Trigger node?
If not, is this feature planned for future releases, or is there a recommended workaround for n8n Cloud users?

Thank you for your help!

[cutecatcode]

If you see the orange text from the result in Binary tab, you can pass the text without any other keyword inserted.
Can you confirm that you see the orange text?

[erenaskar]

[cutecatcode]

Lemme help you.
So, instead of using Form Data parameter type, you can use n8n binary data to directly pass the data from n8n binary to the form.
I made change with the parameter type and also synchronize input data field with the binary name (the orange one in the Binary response)

Here is your newest code

[erenaskar]

Thanks for your help, it worked for docx. file. After HTTP Request node, at Set node there was an error. I’ll try to figure it out. For .vtt file there is an error as you can see on the picture. Sorry for taking your time but I couldn’t figure out what happened. I’d be happy if you can help me. Really appreciate for your help.

[cutecatcode]

Read here for getting binary buffer. Because n8n cannot directly use the Buffer module
Get the binary data buffer | n8n Docs

[erenaskar]

Appreciate it.

[cutecatcode]

You’re welcome, if it’s helps you. Kindly mark my message as solution, thanks:)