# AI-powered web research in Google Sheets with OpenAI: n8n workflow

> Started by another system calling it, and works across n8n data table. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-powered-web-research-in-google-sheets-with-openai (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Research and reporting](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Research+and+reporting#library)

# AI-powered web research in Google Sheets with OpenAI

Started by another system calling it, and works across n8n data table. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 17 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fai-powered-web-research-in-google-sheets-with-openai)

**17 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 12 Logic 1 Service 2

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

- 1 **Bright Data MCP** Mcp Client Tool *Model*
- 2 **Webhook Call** Webhook *Starts it*
- 3 **Structured Output Parser - 1** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 4 **Structured Output Parser - 2** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 5 **GPT 4o Mini - 1** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 6 **GPT 4o Mini - 2** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 7 **GPT 4o - 1** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 8 **GPT 4.1 Mini - 1** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 9 **Structured Output Parser - 3** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 10 **Bright Data Search Agent** Agent *Model*
- 11 **Set Variables** Set *Logic*
- 12 **Extract Data** Chain Llm *Model*
- 13 **Summarize Information** Agent *Model*
- 14 **Adjust Query Agent** Agent *Model*
- 15 **Bright Data - Data Extraction** Http Request *Service*
- 16 **Respond to Webhook** Respond To Webhook *Starts it*
- 17 **Update Logs** Data Table *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Another system calling it
- **Steps:** 17
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** n8n data table
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

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

What starts it?

It starts on another system calling it.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 17 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 17 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fai-powered-web-research-in-google-sheets-with-openai)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=n8n+data+table#library)

## Workflows like it

Also research and reporting, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Automate web research & analysis with Oxylabs and OpenAI** 17 steps · calls a model · n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-web-research-and-analysis-with-oxylabs-and-openai)
- [**Multi-source news aggregator with Gemini and Gmail** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, RSS](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/multi-source-news-aggregator-with-gemini-and-gmail)
- [**Build a document-upload RAG chatbot with OpenAI and Pinecone** 18 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Pinecone](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-a-document-upload-rag-chatbot-with-openai-and-pinecone)
- [**Generate board-ready workforce analytics and talent reports** 18 steps · calls a model · n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-board-ready-workforce-analytics-and-talent-reports)
- [**Generate research-backed curriculum plans with OpenAI** 18 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-research-backed-curriculum-plans-with-openai)
- [**Send daily Azure IoT Hub fleet health reports with OpenAI** 15 steps · calls a model · Gmail, n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-daily-azure-iot-hub-fleet-health-reports-with-openai)