Automation library · Data collection

AI-powered knowledge assistant with Google Sheets and OpenAI

Started by a change in a Google Sheet, and works across Google Sheets and Supabase vectors. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 16 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

MediumCalls a model: OpenAIRetrieval

16 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
1Branch: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
2Services it connects to

The flow

Starts it 1Model 8Logic 5Service 2

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

  1. 1OpenAI Chat ModelLm Chat Open AiModel
  2. 2Embeddings OpenAIEmbeddings Open AiModel
  3. 3Vector Store LLMLm Chat Open AiModel
  4. 4Conversation MemoryMemory Buffer WindowModel
  5. 5Google Sheets TriggerGoogle Sheets triggerStarts it
  6. 6Web Search ToolTool Serp ApiModel
  7. 7AI AgentAgentModel
  8. 8Supabase Vector StoreVector Store SupabaseModel
  9. 9Vector Store ToolTool Vector StoreModel
  10. 10Check If New MessageIfLogic
  11. 11Merge Response DataMergeLogic
  12. 12Extract MessageSetLogic
  13. 13Generate Timestamp IDFunctionLogic
  14. 14Update AI ResponseGoogle SheetsService
  15. 15Get Chat HistoryGoogle SheetsService
  16. 16Format ConversationFunctionLogic

How it's built

Starts on
A change in a Google Sheet
Steps
16, with 1 branch
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Google Sheets, Supabase vectors
Model
OpenAI
Retrieval
Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets and Supabase vectors accounts, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a change in a Google Sheet.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 16 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

Before you run it

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 16 steps before you point it at anything that matters.