flowtemplates

Tutorial · ~5 min

How to import an n8n template

Every template on this site is a standard n8n workflow JSON. Importing one takes a couple of minutes — here’s the whole process, from clipboard to a live, running workflow.

  1. Get the workflow JSON On a template page, click Copy JSON to put the workflow on your clipboard, or Download .json to save the file. The JSON describes every node and connection — but never includes real secrets.
  2. Open a new workflow in n8n In your n8n instance, go to Workflows and click “Add workflow” (or open an existing empty one). You import onto a blank canvas.
  3. Paste or import Click anywhere on the canvas and press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac) to paste the copied JSON. Alternatively use the ⋯ menu → “Import from File…” and choose the downloaded .json. n8n rebuilds every node and wire.
  4. Reconnect your credentials Each node that needs an account shows a credential warning. Open it, pick “Create new” (or select an existing credential), and authenticate with your own account. The template only carries placeholders like {{YOUR_SLACK_CREDENTIAL}}.
  5. Adjust the parameters Set anything specific to you — a Sheet ID, a Slack channel, a folder. The template page’s credentials table lists exactly what to fill.
  6. Test with one run Use “Execute Workflow” (or the trigger’s test option) to run it once with sample data and confirm each node turns green end-to-end.
  7. Activate it When the test passes, toggle the workflow to Active so its trigger runs automatically from now on.
Ready to try it? Pick a workflow from the n8n templates library — each page has a Copy JSON button and the exact credentials you’ll need.

Frequently asked questions

Where is “Import from File” in n8n?

Open the three-dot (⋯) menu at the top-right of the workflow editor and choose “Import from File…” or “Import from URL…”. You can also just paste copied JSON directly onto the canvas.

Why does the workflow show credential errors after importing?

That’s expected. Templates ship with placeholder credentials only, so n8n flags each node until you connect your own account. Open each flagged node and create or select your credential.

Will importing overwrite my existing workflows?

No. Importing creates the nodes on the current canvas. Import onto a new, empty workflow to keep things separate.

Is the template JSON safe to paste?

The JSON only defines nodes, parameters and connections — and our templates are sanitized so they never contain real API keys or tokens. You always add your own credentials afterwards.