📁 Transfer files from FTP server to Google Drive

⚡ 493 views · 📁 File Management

Description

FTP to Google Drive Transfer Template

What This Template Does

This workflow automatically transfers files from an FTP server to Google Drive. It’s perfect for:

• Backing up files from remote servers
• Migrating data from FTP to cloud storage
• Automating file synchronization tasks
• Creating scheduled backups of server content

How It Works

The workflow follows these steps:

1. Manual Trigger - You start the process by clicking “Execute”
2. Lists FTP Directory - Scans the specified FTP folder for all items
3. Filters Files Only - Separates actual files from directories (folders)
4. Downloads Files - Retrieves each file as binary data from the FTP server
5. Uploads to Google Drive - Stores all downloaded files in your specified Google Drive folder

Requirements

Before using this template, you’ll need:

• FTP Server Access: Server address, username, and password
• Google Drive Account: With OAuth2 authentication set up in n8n
• n8n Instance: Self-hosted or cloud version

Setup Instructions

Step 1: Configure FTP Credentials

1. In n8n, go to Settings → Credentials
2. Create a new FTP credential
3. Enter your FTP server details:
   • Host: Your FTP server address
   • Port: Usually 21 for FTP
   • Username: Your FTP username
   • Password: Your FTP password
4. Test the connection and save

Step 2: Set Up Google Drive Authentication

1. Create a new Google Drive OAuth2 credential
2. Follow n8n’s Google Drive setup guide:
   • Create a Google Cloud project
   • Enable Google Drive API
   • Create OAuth2 credentials
   • Add your n8n callback URL
3. Authorize the connection in n8n

Step 3: Configure the Workflow

1. Update FTP Path:

   • Open the “List FTP Directory” node
   • Change the path parameter from /_instalki to your desired FTP folder

2. Set Google Drive Folder:

   • Open the “Upload to Google Drive” node
   • Replace the folderId with your target Google Drive folder ID
   • To find folder ID: Open the folder in Google Drive and copy the ID from the URL

3. Assign Credentials:

   • Ensure both FTP nodes use your FTP credential
   • Assign your Google Drive credential to the upload node

How to Use

1. Test First: Run the workflow manually with a few test files
2. Monitor Execution: Check the execution log for any errors
3. Verify Upload: Confirm files appear in your Google Drive folder
4. Schedule (Optional): Add a schedule trigger if you want automatic runs

Customization Options

Filter Specific File Types

Add a condition after “Filter Files Only” to process only certain file extensions:

{{ $json.name.endsWith('.pdf') || $json.name.endsWith('.jpg') }}

Add Error Handling

Insert error-handling nodes to manage failed downloads or uploads gracefully.

Organize by Date

Modify the Google Drive upload to create date-based folders automatically.

File Size Limits

Add checks for file size before attempting upload (Google Drive has limits).

Troubleshooting

Common Issues:

• FTP Connection Failed: Check server address, port, and credentials
• Google Drive Upload Error: Verify OAuth2 setup and folder permissions
• Files Not Found: Ensure the FTP path exists and contains files
• Large Files: Consider Google Drive’s file size limitations (15GB for free accounts)

Tips:

• Test with small files first
• Check n8n execution logs for detailed error messages
• Ensure your Google Drive has sufficient storage space
• Verify FTP server allows multiple concurrent connections

Security Notes

• Never hardcode credentials in the workflow
• Use n8n’s credential system for all authentication
• Consider using SFTP instead of FTP for better security
• Regularly rotate your FTP passwords
• Review Google Drive sharing permissions

Next Steps

Once you have this basic transfer working, you might want to:

• Add email notifications for successful/failed transfers
• Implement file deduplication checks
• Create logs of transferred files
• Set up automatic cleanup of old files
• Add file compression before upload

🔗 Nodes Used

Google Drive, FTP

📥 Import

Download workflow.json and import into n8n: Workflow menu → Import from File

📖 Importing guide · 🔑 Credential setup