# Automated invoice processing & filing with IMAP: n8n workflow

> Started by an arriving email, and works across Email, Google Drive and Google Sheets. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-invoice-processing-and-filing-with-imap (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)

# Automated invoice processing & filing with IMAP

Started by an arriving email, and works across Email, Google Drive and Google Sheets. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 16 steps, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-invoice-processing-and-filing-with-imap)

**16 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**3** Services it connects to

## The flow

Model 1 Logic 3 Service 12

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

- 1 **Email Trigger (IMAP)** Email Read Imap *Service*
- 2 **Code in JavaScript** Code *Logic*
- 3 **Loop Over Items** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 4 **Upload file** Google Drive *Service*
- 5 **Search Month Folder** Google Drive *Service*
- 6 **Download file** Google Drive *Service*
- 7 **Extract From PDF** Extract From File *Service*
- 8 **Extract & Format Data** Open Ai *Model*
- 9 **Get Additional Date Data** Code *Logic*
- 10 **Google Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 11 **Download file1** Google Drive *Service*
- 12 **Send to DateV** Email Send *Service*
- 13 **Download file2** Google Drive *Service*
- 14 **MoveEmail email** Imap *Service*
- 15 **Download file3** Google Drive *Service*
- 16 **Upload file1** Google Drive *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An arriving email
- **Steps:** 16, 1 loop or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Email, Google Drive, Google Sheets
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

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

What starts it?

It starts on an arriving email.

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. 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.

## 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-invoice-processing-and-filing-with-imap)
- **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 Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Drive#library)[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)

## Workflows like it

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

- [**Automate bank statement and invoice reconciliation** 16 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-bank-statement-and-invoice-reconciliation)
- [**Automate job discovery & AI proposals across Upwork, Freelancer** 16 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-job-discovery-and-ai-proposals-across-upwork-freela)
- [**Automated sales proposal & summary generator with OpenAI** 16 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-sales-proposal-and-summary-generator-with-openai)
- [**Expense Logging with Telegram and Text Parsing** 16 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, Telegram](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/expense-logging-with-telegram-and-text-parsing)
- [**Extract invoice data from scanned PDFs to Google Sheets** 16 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/extract-invoice-data-from-scanned-pdfs-to-google-sheets)
- [**Negotiate car purchase quotes with Gemini and Gmail** 16 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/negotiate-car-purchase-quotes-with-gemini-and-gmail)