Digital Ocean Spaces File Uploader using Custom Form - n8n Workflow

Administrators & Developers: Those needing a simple, secure endpoint for external file collection without writing backend code.
Content Managers: Users who frequently need to upload assets and immediately obtain a public URL.

• n8n Automation Users: Individuals looking for practical n8n templates demonstrating file handling and cloud storage integration.

Handling file uploads securely and efficiently often requires complex server-side logic. This powerful n8n workflow eliminates that complexity by providing a simple web form interface built entirely within n8n. When a user submits a file through the generated form, this automation instantly uploads the file to a specified Digital Ocean Spaces bucket, setting the appropriate permissions (publicRead). The key value of this n8n workflow is that it immediately returns the public CDN URL to the user, streamlining the upload-and-share process. This efficient n8n automation template ensures files are managed rapidly and provides a seamless user experience.

This automation is initiated by a specialized n8n trigger and executes a straightforward three-step process:

1. Form Submission n8n Trigger: The workflow starts when a user uploads a file using the custom form generated by the 'On form submission' n8n node. This n8n trigger captures the file data, including the binary content and filename.


2. S3 Upload to Digital Ocean: The next n8n node, configured for S3 (using Digital Ocean Spaces credentials), takes the binary data and uploads it to the designated bucket. Crucially, the configuration uses the original filename and sets the acl to publicRead to ensure the resulting file is accessible publicly via CDN.


3. Completion Message & URL Generation: Finally, the last n8n node displays a completion page back to the user. This page dynamically constructs the full public URL of the uploaded file, combining the known Digital Ocean CDN prefix, bucket name, and the filename retrieved from the initial n8n trigger data. This provides immediate confirmation and access to the uploaded asset.

To implement this n8n workflow, follow these steps:

1. Import the n8n Workflow: Copy the provided JSON and import it directly into your n8n instance as a new workflow.


2. Set Up Digital Ocean Spaces Credentials: The 'S3' n8n node requires credentials. You must create or select existing S3 credentials within n8n, ensuring they are configured to point to your Digital Ocean Spaces region and include the necessary Access Key and Secret Key.


3. Configure Bucket Name: In the 'S3' n8n node, update the Bucket Name parameter (dailyai in the input JSON) to match your target Digital Ocean Space name.


4. Update Completion URL (if necessary): In the 'Form' completion n8n node, verify the hardcoded CDN URL prefix matches your specific Digital Ocean setup (e.g., https://[yourbucket].[yourregion].cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/).


5. Activate the n8n Workflow: Ensure the workflow is active to enable the form link provided by the initial n8n trigger node.

On form submission (n8n trigger):
Function: Serves as the public web endpoint, allowing users to upload a single file via a simple form interface.
Key Configuration: Defines one required file field titled 'File to Upload'.

S3 (n8n node):
Function: Connects to Digital Ocean Spaces using S3-compatible credentials and performs the file upload operation.
Key Configuration:
Operation: upload.
Bucket Name: Configured to dailyai.
File Name: Uses a dynamic expression ={{ $json['File to Upload'][0].filename }} to retain the original filename.
ACL: Set to publicRead to ensure public accessibility.
Binary Property Name: FiletoUpload links the input data correctly.

Form (Completion n8n node):
Function: Displays a success message to the user and provides the final generated URL for the uploaded file.
Key Configuration:
Operation: completion.
Completion Message: Generates the full public URL using data from the initial n8n trigger node via an expression, making it easy to share the uploaded content.