Quick overview
This workflow collects project details through an authenticated n8n Form, checks a Google Sheets project register for existing references, creates a standardized client and project folder structure in Google Drive, and sends an owner notification through Gmail. Repeated matching submissions reuse the existing workspace.
How it works
- Receives a submission from an authenticated n8n Form with Client Name, Project Name, and Project Reference.
- Normalizes and validates the input and stops with an on-screen error if any required configuration or field format is invalid.
- Looks up the Project Reference in a Google Sheets register and routes the request as new, resumable, already in progress, or conflicting.
- For a new reference, appends a “Provisioning” row in Google Sheets and re-reads the register to confirm this run owns the reference before continuing.
- Finds or creates the client folder and project folder in Google Drive, then creates any missing standard subfolders inside the project folder.
- Updates the Google Sheets register row with the Drive folder ID/URL and marks the project as Complete.
- Sends a notification email via Gmail (unless already marked sent) and then updates the register to set the notification status to Sent.
Setup
- Add Google OAuth2 credentials in n8n with access to Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Gmail, and select them on all corresponding nodes.
- Create a Google Sheet with a tab named
Projects and the required headers: project_reference, client_name, project_name, status, notification_status, project_folder_id, project_folder_url, submission_id, created_at, updated_at.
- Create (or choose) a Google Drive parent folder in My Drive that will contain all client folders.
- In the Configuration step, paste your Drive parent folder ID, spreadsheet ID, register sheet name, and the notification email address to receive alerts.
- If needed after import, ensure the Google Drive subfolder listing is set to return all results so missing folders are detected correctly.
Requirements
- An n8n instance supporting authenticated forms, Google Drive, Google Sheets and Gmail OAuth2 credentials, an accessible Google Drive parent folder, a Google Sheets project register, and workflow execute permission for form users.