# Summarize Google Docs & PDFs with OpenAI: n8n workflow template

> Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive and Slack. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

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

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

# Summarize Google Docs & PDFs with OpenAI

Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive and Slack. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 10 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fsummarize-google-docs-and-pdfs-with-openai)

**10 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**4** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Model 2 Logic 2 Service 5

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

- 1 **OpenAI Chat Model** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 2 **File Created** Google Drive trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Doc Summarizer** Agent *Model*
- 4 **Check Document Type** If *Logic*
- 5 **Send message to Slack Channel** Slack *Service*
- 6 **Email the Summary** Gmail *Service*
- 7 **Get a document** Google Docs *Service*
- 8 **Download PDF** Google Drive *Service*
- 9 **Set Field** Set *Logic*
- 10 **Convert to Text** Extract From File *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 10, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, Slack
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive and Slack accounts, and a key for OpenAI. 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?

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. 10 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 10 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%2Fsummarize-google-docs-and-pdfs-with-openai)
- **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.

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

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