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🛠️ Re-Access Binary Data from Any Previous Node

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Created by: Lucas Peyrin || lucaspeyrin

Lucas Peyrin

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Last update 6 days ago

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How it works

Ever had binary data (like images, PDFs, or files) disappear in your n8n workflow after an intermediate node processed it? This workflow provides a powerful solution by demonstrating how to re-access and re-attach binary data from any previous node, even if it was dropped along the way. Think of it like having a reliable backup copy of your file always available, no matter what happens to the original as it moves through your workflow.

Here's how this template works step-by-step:

  1. Initial Binary Fetch: The workflow starts by fetching a binary image (the n8n logo) from a URL using an HTTP Request node. This is our original binary data.
  2. Simulated Data Loss: A Set node then processes this data. Crucially, by default, Set nodes (and many others) do not pass binary data to subsequent nodes. This step intentionally simulates a common scenario where your binary data might seem to "disappear" from the workflow's output.
  3. Re-Access and Re-Attach: The core of the solution is a Code node. It uses a specific n8n expression ($(nodeName).item) to reach back to the original node that produced the binary data (Get n8n Logo (Binary)). It then retrieves that binary data and uses this.helpers.prepareBinaryData() to correctly re-attach it to the current item, making it available for all subsequent nodes.

Set up steps

Setup time: 0 minutes!

This is a self-contained tutorial workflow, so no external accounts or credentials are required.

  1. Simply click the "Execute Workflow" button to run it.
  2. Observe the output of the Re-Access Binary Data from Previous Node to see the binary data successfully re-attached.
  3. Important for Customization: If you adapt this technique to your own workflows, remember to update the previousNodeName variable within the Re-Access Binary Data from Previous Node (Code node) to match the exact name of the node that originally produced the binary data you wish to retrieve.