Connect n8n to ALL Google Apps In 5 Mins (Gmail, Drive, Sheets & More)

Google Cloud Console Setup for n8n: A Detailed Guide

Key Concepts:

• Google Cloud Console: A platform for managing Google Cloud services.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate.
• OAuth (Open Authorization): An open standard for access delegation, commonly used as a way for internet users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites but without giving them the passwords.
• Client ID & Client Secret: Credentials used to identify an application when requesting authorization.
• Redirect URI: The URL to which the authorization server sends the user after successfully authorizing an application.
• n8n: A workflow automation platform.

1. Introduction

The video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up the Google Cloud Console to integrate Google services (Drive, Gmail, Sheets, Calendar, Slides) with n8n, an automation platform. This is crucial for self-hosted n8n instances and beneficial for cloud-based n8n users who want to access Google Drive. The presenter aims to simplify the process, which can be overwhelming using Google's official documentation. He provides his own free documentation in the description.

2. Accessing the Google Cloud Console

• Search "Google Cloud Console" in Chrome and navigate to the platform.
• Log in with the desired Google account.
• New users might be prompted to add a payment method (credit card). Google provides $300 in cloud credits, but billing is unlikely for basic API usage.

3. Creating a New Project

• Click "Select a project" and then "New Project."
• Name the project (e.g., "n8n Connection"). The name is arbitrary.
• Once created, select the new project.

4. Enabling Google APIs

• Search for each API individually in the Google Cloud Console search bar.
• The APIs to enable are:
  • Google Drive API
  • Gmail API
  • Google Docs API
  • Google Sheets API
  • Google Calendar API
  • Google Slides API
• Select the corresponding API and click "Enable."
• This step is only required once.

5. Configuring the OAuth Consent Screen

• Navigate to "API & Services" -> "OAuth consent screen" (using the "hamburger helper" menu in the top left if needed).
• Click "Get Started".
• Choose "External" user type.
• Enter the app name (e.g., "n8n").
• Select the appropriate email address.
• Provide a contact email address.
• Agree to the terms of service.

6. Adding Test Users

• Go to "OAuth consent screen" -> "Audience" in the left sidebar.
• Add your own email address to the "Test users" section.
• Save and publish the app.

7. Creating OAuth Client ID

• Navigate to "API & Services" -> "Credentials".
• Click "Create credentials" -> "OAuth client ID".
• Select "Web application" as the application type.
• Name the application (e.g., "n8n").
• Add the "Authorized redirect URIs". This is crucial.
  • Obtain the redirect URI from n8n by adding any Google module (e.g., Google Drive) to a workflow.
  • Click "Add new credential" within the module.
  • Copy the provided URL and paste it into the "Authorized redirect URIs" field in the Google Cloud Console.
• Click "Create."

8. Authenticating Apps in n8n

• Navigate to "API & Services" -> "Credentials".
• Click the pencil icon next to the created OAuth 2.0 Client ID.
• Copy the "Client ID" and "Client secret."
• In n8n, for each Google service (Drive, Gmail, Sheets, Calendar, Slides):
  • Add the corresponding module to a workflow.
  • Click "Add new credential."
  • Paste the "Client ID" and "Client secret."
  • Sign in with the Google account.
  • If prompted with "This app isn't verified," click "Advanced" and proceed to the app.
  • Grant the necessary permissions by selecting all checkboxes and clicking "Continue."
• Repeat this process for all desired Google services.

9. Verification and Testing

• After authenticating all apps, test the connection by adding a Google Sheets module (e.g., "Append a Row").
• Verify that you can load spreadsheets from your Google account.

10. Conclusion

The video demonstrates how to connect Google Workspace apps to n8n by configuring the Google Cloud Console. The process involves creating a project, enabling APIs, setting up the OAuth consent screen, creating OAuth client IDs, and authenticating each app within n8n using the client ID and secret. The presenter emphasizes the importance of the redirect URI and provides a simplified, step-by-step approach compared to Google's official documentation.

Additional Resources

The presenter offers free documentation with a step-by-step guide in the video description. He also promotes his school community for AI automation assistance and agency building.