# Automate payroll processing with OpenAI and Google Sheets: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Email, Google Sheets and Slack. 8 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-payroll-processing-with-openai-and-google-sheets (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Money admin](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Money+admin#library)

# Automate payroll processing with OpenAI and Google Sheets

Started by a clock, and works across Email, Google Sheets and Slack. 8 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

Small

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomate-payroll-processing-with-openai-and-google-sheets)

**8 steps** Small: readable in one sitting

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**3** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Logic 1 Service 6

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

- 1 **Monthly Payroll Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Get Employee Data** Google Sheets *Service*
- 3 **AI Calculate Salary** Http Request *Service*
- 4 **Format Payslip Data** Code *Logic*
- 5 **Log to Payroll Sheet** Google Sheets *Service*
- 6 **Generate PDF Payslip** Http Request *Service*
- 7 **Email Payslip to Employee** Email Send *Service*
- 8 **Notify HR on Slack** Slack *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 8
- **Size:** Small: readable in one sitting
- **Connects to:** Email, Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Email, Google Sheets and Slack accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Not long. At 8 steps it can be read in one sitting and changed without fear.

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 8 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%2Fautomate-payroll-processing-with-openai-and-google-sheets)
- **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.

[Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Email#library)[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)[Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Slack#library)

## Workflows like it

Also money admin, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AI expense receipt processor with Google Drive** 8 steps · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-expense-receipt-processor-with-google-drive)
- [**Automate PDF invoice generation & delivery with Google Drive** 8 steps · Email, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-pdf-invoice-generation-and-delivery-with-google-dri)
- [**Automate client invoicing & payments with Stripe** 8 steps · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-client-invoicing-and-payments-with-stripe)
- [**Automated invoice management with Nextcloud and Telegram** 8 steps · Email, Telegram](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-invoice-management-with-nextcloud-and-telegram)
- [**Automatic Monthly Square Payment Report with Fees** 8 steps · Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automatic-monthly-square-payment-report-with-fees)
- [**Bulk generate payment reminder PDFs from NocoDB with Autype** 8 steps · Email, NocoDB](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/bulk-generate-payment-reminder-pdfs-from-nocodb-with-autype)