n8n Google Docs Generator 2026: Auto-Create Reports & Contracts From Any Form

What This Workflow Does

Tools and Services Used

• n8n.io: Runs automation workflows and integrates services.

• Google Drive: Stores and copies the Google Docs template files.

• Google Docs API: Edits document content by replacing placeholder text.

• Form Trigger Node in n8n: Captures client inputs from a web form.

• Google OAuth2 Credentials: Allows access to Google Drive and Docs securely.

Inputs, Processing Steps, and Output

Inputs

• Client fills out a web form set up inside n8n using Form Trigger.

• Form fields include required data like name and optionally more fields like address or email.

Processing Steps

2. The workflow copies a predefined Google Docs template in Google Drive via Google Drive copy operation.

2. A Code node extracts form fields into key-value pairs for processing.

2. Another Code node formats the key-values as "replaceAllText" requests for Google Docs API.

2. The HTTP Request node calls Google Docs API to replace placeholders (like ) with the form values inside the copied document.

Output

Beginner step-by-step: How to use this workflow in n8n

Importing the workflow

2. Download the workflow file using the Download button on this page.

2. Open the n8n editor where the workflow will be used.

2. Choose Import from File in n8n and select the downloaded workflow file.

Setup after import

2. Add OAuth2 Credentials for Google Drive and Google Docs nodes using your Google account with proper access.

2. Update the Google Drive node's File ID with your template file ID if different.

2. If more form fields were added, ensure your Google Docs template has matching placeholders with double curly braces, e.g., , .

2. Add Basic Authentication settings in the Form Trigger node to protect the form from unauthorized access.

Testing and activating

2. Submit sample data through the form URL provided by the Form Trigger node.

2. Check the created Google Docs in your Drive to confirm proper data replacement.

2. Once confirmed, toggle the workflow from disabled to enabled to start running it automatically in production.

2. Monitor runs and errors via the n8n dashboard logs.

Key Code Snippets Used

Format form data Code node

const data = [];

Object.keys($('Form').all().map((item) => {
  Object.keys(item.json).map((bodyProperty) => {
    data.push({
      key: bodyProperty,
      value: item.json[bodyProperty],
    });
  })
}));

return {
  webhook_data: data,
  pairedItem: 0,
};

Format form data to Google Docs API requests Code node

const result = [];

$('Format form data').all().map((item) => {
  item.json.webhook_data.map((data) => {
    if ("submittedAt" !== data.key && "formMode" !== data.key) {
      result.push({
        "replaceAllText": {
            "containsText": {
              "text": `{{${data.key}}}`, 
              "matchCase": true
            },
            "replaceText": `${data.value}`
        },
      });
    }
  });
})

return {
  data: result,
  pairedItem: 0,
};

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Failed to copy Google Drive template file

Google Docs API Unauthorized or Forbidden error

Form data not replacing variables in Google Doc

Customization Ideas

2. Add new form fields (like "email" or "address") in the Form Trigger node and add matching placeholders in the Google Docs template.

2. Change Google Docs template by replacing the template file ID in the Google Drive copy node.

2. Protect the form by enabling Basic Authentication in the Form Trigger node settings.

2. Adjust the copied file names by editing the expression in the Google Drive node’s Name field, adding timestamps or other details.

Summary