Send Data Extracted from Emails and PDFs to n8n

Pair n8n with Parseur to build automated workflows that extract data from emails, PDFs, and other documents and send the structured results directly into your n8n flows.

In this integration article, we will cover:

• Why Parseur is the ideal parsing tool for n8n users
• How to set up Parseur with n8n
• Real-world automation examples you can create in minutes

By the end, you’ll see how easy it is to combine Parseur’s powerful document parsing with n8n’s flexible automation platform.

What Is N8N?

N8N is an open-source, fair-code workflow automation tool that helps you connect apps, APIs, and databases to build powerful automations. Launched in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser in Berlin, it has quickly grown in popularity with developers, technical teams, and businesses that want more control over their automation stack.

The stand out feature of n8n compared to competitors is that you can host a version of it on your own servers. This can be a great help for companies that don’t allow data to transit on public clouds. They also offer a cloud version. You can drag and drop steps to design complex processes without deep coding knowledge, yet extend workflows with custom JavaScript or Python when required. Backed by an active community of 55,000+ members and hundreds of available integrations (with new ones added regularly), n8n has become a flexible alternative to traditional SaaS automation platforms.

How Does N8N Work?

N8N works through a system of nodes representing different apps, triggers, or actions. Each node performs a specific task, such as receiving an email, parsing a file, or updating a database. Connecting these nodes in a sequence creates a workflow that passes data step by step.

The platform has a visual workflow editor where you can drag and drop nodes onto a canvas and link them together. This makes it easy to see how data flows from one service to another. For example, you can set up a trigger node to listen for new documents, connect it to a Parseur node to extract the data, and then link it to a Google Sheets node to store the results.

N8N also supports conditional logic, loops, and custom code, allowing beginners and developers to build workflows that are as simple or complex as needed.

Why N8N Users Choose Parseur

For many n8n users, the biggest challenge is transforming unstructured data from emails, PDFs, and attachments into a clean format that workflows can use. Parseur adds value by turning messy documents into structured data that flows directly into your automations.

• From document to data instantly. Parseur extracts fields such as dates, totals, names, SKUs, addresses, and line items from emails and PDFs, then delivers the results as structured JSON directly into your n8n workflow.
• Real-time triggers. As soon as a document is processed, Parseur sends an event that n8n can catch immediately. This makes it ideal for time-sensitive automations where delays can slow down operations.
• Built to scale. Instead of relying on handwritten rules or complex regex inside n8n, you can let Parseur handle the parsing. This keeps workflows clean, reliable, and easier to maintain as your automations grow.

Parseur sends JSON to n8n on document events such as Document Processed, Flattened Tables, Table Item Processed, or Export Failed. It works with n8n Cloud through the Parseur connector and with self-hosted n8n using generic webhooks.

With these benefits, n8n users can quickly set up powerful workflows that save time and reduce manual work. Let’s look at standard processes you can automate in just a few minutes.

What You Can Automate With Parseur And N8N In Minutes

Once Parseur and n8n are connected, you can create powerful workflows that remove hours of manual data entry. Whether in finance, e-commerce, logistics, or customer service, you can set up automations that run in the background and keep your systems in sync.

• Invoice to ERP or Google Sheets. Automatically extract vendor name, invoice date, subtotal, tax, total, and line items from supplier invoices. The data can then be added to an ERP system or logged as new rows in Google Sheets for easy reporting.
• Order Emails to Database. Capture order IDs, customer details, and product information from incoming emails, then send that data directly into your database, such as Postgres or MySQL. This ensures your order records are always up-to-date without manual entry.
• Shipping Notices to Slack. Get instant alerts in Slack whenever a shipping carrier updates delivery status or when an export fails. This keeps your team informed in real time and allows you to respond quickly to delays.
• Attachments to Drive with Metadata to CRM. Store important PDFs in Google Drive or another cloud storage solution while sending extracted details like invoice number, customer name, or payment amount straight into your CRM. This creates a seamless link between your files and your customer records.

These examples are just the beginning. With Parseur handling the data extraction and n8n managing the workflow, you can build automations customized to your business processes.

How It Works (No Code)

Connecting Parseur to n8n only takes a few minutes. The process is simple: Parseur extracts data, n8n receives it, and you map the fields to your preferred apps. Here’s a quick preview of how it looks:

1. Create a Parseur Node in n8n. Log in to n8n, start a new workflow, and search for the Parseur node. Connect it to your Parseur account using your API key.
2. Choose Your Trigger Event. Decide when the node should fire. Common options include:
   • Document Processed: standard event with JSON payload.
   • Flattened Tables: useful when your documents contain tables.
   • Export Failed: great for error notifications in Slack.
   • Table Item Processed: triggers for each row in a table field.
3. Send Parsed Data. Go to your Parseur mailbox and process or upload a document. The parsed results will appear in your n8n execution log.
4. Continue Your Workflow. Add any other n8n nodes you need, like Google Sheets, Slack, or a database, and map the parsed fields using {{ $json.field_name }}.

That’s it. You’ve connected Parseur to n8n without writing a single line of code.

Want the full step-by-step guide with screenshots? Follow the official tutorial here: Connecting Parseur to n8n (Cloud)

Node vs Webhook: Which Path Should You Use

When connecting Parseur to n8n, you can use the Parseur connector (official node) or a generic webhook. Both work well, but each has its strengths depending on your setup:

It works perfectly with both n8n Cloud and self-hosted setups. For a detailed Parseur export guide, see the guide about Sending Parsed Data Using Webhooks.

Common Questions (From N8N Users)

If you are considering connecting Parseur with n8n, you might have a few common questions about availability, setup, triggers, and security. Here are the answers to help you get started quickly.

Is there a Parseur node for n8n?

Yes, an official Parseur connector is rolling out in beta, and a community-built node is also available. If you don’t see the connector yet, you can always use the webhook method, which is production-ready and reliable today.

Does this work on n8n Cloud and self-hosted?

Yes. Our Cloud guide walks through the setup for n8n Cloud, while self-hosted users can use generic webhook nodes (just make sure your instance is publicly accessible).

What events can trigger n8n?

Parseur supports several events, including:

• Document processed (standard JSON payload)
• Processed with flattened tables (ideal for spreadsheets)
• Table item processed (triggers on each row in a table)
• Export failed (great for error monitoring and alerts)

Is this secure?

Yes. Parseur sends data to your n8n endpoint over HTTPS. With the webhook method, you can add headers or secrets for extra validation and keep sensitive workflows entirely within your self-hosted n8n.

And that’s it! You now have an automated workflow between Parseur and n8n. Each time Parseur processes a document, the extracted data is instantly sent to your n8n workflow, ready to be used in any app or database you choose.

As mentioned earlier, this is just one of the many ways to use the integration. With Parseur and n8n working together, you can create unlimited workflows, save hours of manual work, and scale your automations with ease.