📁 Automatic FTP file backup to Google Drive with scheduled sync

⚡ 203 views · 📁 File Management

Description

What this workflow does

This workflow automatically downloads files from an FTP folder and uploads them to Google Drive.
It’s useful for backup, reporting, or syncing data between systems.

How it works

1. Cron Trigger runs on a schedule (default: every hour).
2. FTP List node checks the specified folder on your FTP server.
3. FTP Download node fetches each file found.
4. Google Drive Upload node saves the file into your chosen Google Drive folder.

Pre-conditions / Requirements

• An active FTP server with accessible login credentials.
• A Google account with access to the Drive folder you want to sync into.
• Make sure the target Google Drive folder exists, and copy its Folder ID.
• Ensure files in your FTP folder have unique names if you want to avoid overwriting in Google Drive.

Setup

• FTP: Add your FTP credentials and replace {{FTP_FOLDER}} with the path of the folder you want to sync.
• Google Drive: Connect your Google Drive account and replace {{GDRIVE_FOLDER_ID}} with the folder ID where files should be stored.
• Adjust the Cron schedule (e.g. daily, weekly) depending on how often you need the sync.

Customization Options

• File filtering: Add an IF node after the FTP List node to only download files matching certain extensions (e.g., .csv, .pdf).
• File renaming: Use a Set node to rename files before uploading to Google Drive (helpful for timestamping or avoiding duplicates).
• Archiving: Add a second Google Drive or FTP Upload node to store processed files in an archive folder.
• Error handling: Connect an Error Trigger to notify you via Slack or email if a file transfer fails.

Benefits & Use Cases — FTP to Google Drive File Sync

Benefits

• Hands-free backups: Automatically transfers files from FTP to Google Drive.
• Data security: Ensures files are stored in cloud storage with built-in redundancy.
• Reliability: Reduces risk of missed uploads or manual errors.
• Scalable: Works with any FTP folder and Google Drive directory.

Use Cases

• Regularly back up reports or exports from legacy systems (ERP, CRM, POS).
• Sync daily logs or CSVs into Google Drive for analytics and team access.
• Automate delivery of partner or client files without manual uploads.
• Centralize files from multiple FTP sources into one Drive folder.

🔗 Nodes Used

Cron, Google Drive, FTP

📥 Import

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

📖 Importing guide · 🔑 Credential setup