Automation library · Setup and learning

Build your own CUSTOM API MCP server with Google Sheets

Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Google Sheets. 20 steps, 2 branches: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

20 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
2Branches: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
1Service it connects to

The flow

Starts it 2Model 3Logic 11Service 4

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

  1. 1When Executed by Another WorkflowExecute Workflow triggerStarts it
  2. 2Update EmployeeTool WorkflowModel
  3. 3Get EmployeeTool WorkflowModel
  4. 4Search EmployeesTool WorkflowModel
  5. 5Log CallGoogle SheetsService
  6. 6Paycaptain MCP ServerMcp triggerStarts it
  7. 7OperationSwitchLogic
  8. 8Get EmployeesHttp RequestService
  9. 9Get Employees1Http RequestService
  10. 10Valid Fields OnlySetLogic
  11. 11Filter MatchesFilterLogic
  12. 12Filter Matching IDFilterLogic
  13. 13Has Valid Request?IfLogic
  14. 14Strip Sensitive FieldsSetLogic
  15. 15Strip Sensitive Fields1SetLogic
  16. 16Update Employee1Http RequestService
  17. 17Get Error ResponseSetLogic
  18. 18Aggregate Search ResultsAggregateLogic
  19. 19Aggregate Get ResponseAggregateLogic
  20. 20Get Success ResponseSetLogic

How it's built

Starts on
An event in a connected app
Steps
20, with 2 branches
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Google Sheets
Model
None. This is plumbing, not judgement

Questions

What does it need to run?

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

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

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.