Automation library · Data collection

Track personal finances with Telegram and Google Sheets

Started by an incoming Telegram message, and works across Google Sheets and Telegram. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 11 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

MediumCalls a model: OpenAIRetrieval

11 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
1Branch: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
2Services it connects to

The flow

Starts it 1Model 4Logic 2Service 4

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

  1. 1Receive Input Via TelegramTelegram triggerStarts it
  2. 2Watch Existing Finance DataGoogle Sheets ToolService
  3. 3Add New Finance DataGoogle Sheets ToolService
  4. 4Generate User's Reply With OpenAiLm Chat Open AiModel
  5. 5Remember Chat HistoryMemory Buffer WindowModel
  6. 6Detect Message TypeSwitchLogic
  7. 7Finance Tracker AgentAgentModel
  8. 8User's Text MessageSetLogic
  9. 9Download User's Voice MessageTelegramService
  10. 10Send AI Response To TelegramTelegramService
  11. 11Transcribe Voice Message Open AiModel

How it's built

Starts on
An incoming Telegram message
Steps
11, with 1 branch
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Google Sheets, Telegram
Model
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 Telegram accounts, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an incoming Telegram message.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls 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. 11 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 11 steps before you point it at anything that matters.