# Automated database backup with Google Sheets and Slack: n8n workflow

> Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. 20 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-database-backup-with-google-sheets-and-slack (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Automated database backup with Google Sheets and Slack

Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. 20 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-database-backup-with-google-sheets-and-slack)

**20 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 3 Logic 9 Service 8

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

- 1 **Daily Backup Schedule** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Manual Backup Trigger** Webhook *Starts it*
- 3 **Get Database Metadata** Mysql *Service*
- 4 **Split Databases** Split Out *Logic*
- 5 **Execute MySQL Dump** Mysql *Service*
- 6 **Generate Checksums** Crypto *Service*
- 7 **Merge Triggers** Merge *Logic*
- 8 **Compress Backup Data** Compression *Service*
- 9 **Initialize Backup** Code *Logic*
- 10 **Aggregate Backup Results** Aggregate *Logic*
- 11 **Prepare Upload Data** Code *Logic*
- 12 **Upload to AWS S3** Http Request *Service*
- 13 **Upload to Google Cloud Storage** Http Request *Service*
- 14 **Aggregate Upload Results** Aggregate *Logic*
- 15 **Cleanup Old Backups** Code *Logic*
- 16 **Log to Tracking Sheet** Google Sheets *Service*
- 17 **Send Slack Notification** Slack *Service*
- 18 **Merge Final Results** Merge *Logic*
- 19 **Format Response** Set *Logic*
- 20 **Respond to Webhook** Respond To Webhook *Starts it*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Another system calling it
- **Steps:** 20
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets and Slack accounts. 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?

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?

Plan an afternoon. 20 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 20 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%2Fautomated-database-backup-with-google-sheets-and-slack)
- **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.

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

## Workflows like it

Also documents and files, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

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- [**Financial document extraction from Gmail to Google Sheets** 20 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/financial-document-extraction-from-gmail-to-google-sheets)
- [**Generate DOCX documents from Gmail with OpenAI** 20 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-docx-documents-from-gmail-with-openai)
- [**Organize handwritten memos from LINE with Gemini and Drive** 20 steps · calls a model · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/organize-handwritten-memos-from-line-with-gemini-and-drive)
- [**Detect and move duplicate Google Drive files with Supabase** 21 steps · Google Drive, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/detect-and-move-duplicate-google-drive-files-with-supabase)
- [**Scrape detailed GitHub profiles to Google Sheets** 19 steps · Google Sheets, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/scrape-detailed-github-profiles-to-google-sheets)