# Generate document summaries & Q&As from PDF/TXT with OpenAI: n8n workflow

> Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. It puts Azure OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from...

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-document-summaries-and-q-and-as-from-pdf-txt-with-o (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Generate document summaries & Q&As from PDF/TXT with OpenAI

Started by another system calling it, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. It puts Azure OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 15 steps, 3 branches: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: Azure OpenAI Retrieval

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fgenerate-document-summaries-and-q-and-as-from-pdf-txt-with-o)

**15 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**3** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 4 Logic 5 Service 4

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

- 1 **Receive Document Upload via Webhook** Webhook *Starts it*
- 2 **Parse AI Summary and Q&A into Structured JSON** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 3 **Provide LLM Engine for Document Analysis** Lm Chat Azure Open Ai *Model*
- 4 **Store AI Memory for Document Analysis Session** Memory Buffer Window *Model*
- 5 **Check If Uploaded File Is PDF** If *Logic*
- 6 **Check If Uploaded File Is TXT** If *Logic*
- 7 **Generate Summary & Q&A Using AI** Agent *Model*
- 8 **Extract Text from PDF File** Extract From File *Service*
- 9 **Extract Text from TXT File** Extract From File *Service*
- 10 **Validate AI Output Before Processing** If *Logic*
- 11 **Unwrap AI Output Object** Code *Logic*
- 12 **Log Invalid AI Output to Google Sheet** Google Sheets *Service*
- 13 **Prepare Final Response Payload** Code *Logic*
- 14 **Send Final Summary & Q&A Response to Webhook** Respond To Webhook *Starts it*
- 15 **Send Summary Preview to Slack** Slack *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Another system calling it
- **Steps:** 15, with 3 branches
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** Azure OpenAI
- **Retrieval:** Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets and Slack accounts, and a key for Azure 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 Azure OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 15 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 15 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%2Fgenerate-document-summaries-and-q-and-as-from-pdf-txt-with-o)
- **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 alerts and monitoring, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AI-Powered SEO Cannibalization Monitor: Databox, Google Search** 15 steps · calls a model · Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-powered-seo-cannibalization-monitor-databox-google-search)
- [**Alert team health drops with TeamRetro and OpenAI** 15 steps · calls a model · Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/alert-team-health-drops-with-teamretro-and-openai)
- [**Analyze real estate submarket trends with OpenAI and Gmail** 15 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/analyze-real-estate-submarket-trends-with-openai-and-gmail)
- [**Automated stock news alerts with Google RSS and Gemini** 15 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, RSS](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-stock-news-alerts-with-google-rss-and-gemini)
- [**Generate DraftKings DFS lineups with Google Sheets and Slack** 15 steps · calls a model · Email, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-draftkings-dfs-lineups-with-google-sheets-and-slack)
- [**Monitor and classify brand mentions from Instagram and Google** 15 steps · calls a model · Apify, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/monitor-and-classify-brand-mentions-from-instagram-and-googl)