Automated Multi-Sheet Excel Workbook Creation and Reporting - n8n Workflow

Data Analysts and Reporting Teams seeking to automate weekly or monthly Excel file generation.
Users requiring n8n templates that merge complex data structures into formatted documents.
Automation Specialists who need to convert structured JSON data into binary files.
Anyone looking to streamline reporting and eliminate manual copy-pasting into spreadsheets.

Manually aggregating data from multiple sources (like database queries or APIs) and compiling it into a single Excel file with separate sheets is time-consuming. This specialized n8n workflow solves this by utilizing the core n8n node functionality for data conversion and merging.

The automation begins by defining or fetching two separate datasets. Each dataset is converted into an individual Excel worksheet. The critical step is using the Merge n8n node to combine these two temporary binary files into one single, cohesive multi-sheet .xlsx workbook. Finally, the n8n workflow appends related metadata or processed rows to a designated Google Sheet, ensuring a continuous reporting chain. This n8n workflow allows for rapid and reliable report generation, making it an essential tool for data professionals.

This n8n workflow operates in a distinct sequence designed for structured reporting:

1. Trigger: The n8n process starts using the 'When clicking ‘Execute workflow’' manual n8n trigger, typically used for testing or scheduled execution in production.


2. Data Generation: Two 'Code' n8n node steps ('Data Set 1' and 'Data Set 2') generate separate JSON datasets, simulating data fetched from an API or database.


3. Binary Conversion (Worksheet Creation): Each dataset flows into a dedicated 'Convert to File' n8n node. These nodes convert the JSON input into individual binary files, configuring them as 'Sheet1' and 'Sheet2' within the XLSX structure.


4. Workbook Merging: The two separate binary files are routed to the 'Merge' n8n node, configured with the combineAll mode. This step merges the two distinct binary XLSX items into a single binary item representing the complete multi-sheet Excel workbook.


5. Reporting/Storage (Optional): The resulting item, which contains the combined Excel file, is passed to the 'Save to google sheets' n8n node. In this specific configuration, the Google Sheets n8n node is set to 'Append' data, typically adding summary rows or metadata derived from the process to a master tracking sheet.

To deploy and utilize this powerful n8n workflow, follow these setup steps:

1. Import the n8n Workflow: Copy the provided JSON data and import it directly into your n8n instance via the 'Workflows' menu, selecting 'New' -> 'Import from JSON'.


2. Google Sheets Credential Setup:

1. Customizing Data: Modify the JavaScript in the 'Data Set 1' and 'Data Set 2' Code n8n node components to reflect your actual data fetching logic (e.g., replace static data with HTTP Request or database query nodes).


2. Execution: Once credentials are set up, click 'Execute Workflow' or activate the n8n trigger for scheduled runs.

When clicking ‘Execute workflow’ (Manual Trigger): Serves as the starting n8n trigger for the entire automation process, used for manual execution.
Data Set 1 & Data Set 2 (Code n8n node): These nodes simulate real-world data fetching by generating structured JSON arrays. They are crucial for defining the input datasets that will become the separate sheets.
Convert to File / Convert to File1 (n8n node): Essential for transforming the JSON data items into binary files of type XLSX. They define the sheet names ('Sheet1', 'Sheet2') before the merge operation takes place, making them key components of this n8n workflow.
Merge1 (Merge n8n node): This core n8n node combines the two separate binary XLSX inputs into a single combined binary file, thereby creating the multi-sheet Excel workbook.

• Save to google sheets (Google Sheets n8n node): This final action is configured to 'Append' rows of data to a specific worksheet. It acts as the final reporting or logging step of this n8n template.