# Transform Google Drive documents into vector embeddings: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Google Drive. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from...

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/transform-google-drive-documents-into-vector-embeddings (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Transform Google Drive documents into vector embeddings

Started by a clock, and works across Google Drive. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 14 steps, 1 branch, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI Retrieval

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Ftransform-google-drive-documents-into-vector-embeddings)

**14 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 4 Logic 2 Service 6

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

- 1 **Recursive Character Text Splitter** Text Splitter Recursive Character Text Splitter *Model*
- 2 **When clicking ‘Test workflow’** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Schedule Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 4 **Embeddings OpenAI** Embeddings Open Ai *Model*
- 5 **Default Data Loader** Document Default Data Loader *Model*
- 6 **Search Folder** Google Drive *Service*
- 7 **Postgres PGVector Store** Vector Store PGVector *Model*
- 8 **Loop Over Items** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 9 **Move File** Google Drive *Service*
- 10 **Download File** Google Drive *Service*
- 11 **Switch** Switch *Logic*
- 12 **Extract from PDF** Extract From File *Service*
- 13 **Extract from Text** Extract From File *Service*
- 14 **Extract from JSON** Extract From File *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 14, with 1 branch, 1 loop or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Drive
- **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 Drive account, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

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. 14 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 14 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%2Ftransform-google-drive-documents-into-vector-embeddings)
- **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 Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Drive#library)

## Workflows like it

Also documents and files, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Chat with Google Drive and Pinecone** 14 steps · calls a model · Google Drive, Pinecone](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/chat-with-google-drive-and-pinecone-2)
- [**Create fillable document templates from PDF or DOCX** 14 steps · calls a model · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-fillable-document-templates-from-pdf-or-docx)
- [**Track tenant document compliance with Drive and Sheets** 14 steps · calls a model · Email, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/track-tenant-document-compliance-with-drive-and-sheets)
- [**Audit Google Drive file permissions for access control management** 14 steps · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/audit-google-drive-file-permissions-for-access-control-manag)
- [**Automate manufacturing QC documentation & compliance** 14 steps · Email, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-manufacturing-qc-documentation-and-compliance)
- [**Deploy updated Google Drive folder files to a Hostsmith site** 14 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/deploy-updated-google-drive-folder-files-to-a-hostsmith-site)