n8n Tutorial: Build Your First Workflow Step by Step
A hands-on n8n tutorial for beginners: tour the editor, then build a real automation — reading a Google Sheet and posting a daily summary to Slack — in five tested steps. No coding required.
Before You Start: Get an n8n Workspace
You need a running n8n instance to follow this tutorial. Two options: sign up for n8n Cloud (fastest, no setup) or self-host with Docker (free, about 15 minutes — see our Docker install guide).
Everything below works identically in both. We will build a real, useful workflow: a daily automation that reads new rows from a Google Sheet and posts a summary to Slack — the same pattern behind most business automations.
The n8n Editor in 60 Seconds
| Area | What it does |
|---|---|
| Canvas | The workspace where you place and connect nodes |
| Node panel (+) | Adds trigger and action nodes — search any app here |
| Node settings | Opens when you double-click a node; where credentials and fields live |
| Input / output panels | Show the data going into and out of the selected node |
| Executions | The history of every run, with full data for debugging |
| Active toggle | Turns the workflow on so its trigger fires automatically |
Step 1: Add a Trigger
- Create a new workflow and click the + on the canvas.
- Search for "Schedule Trigger" and add it — this runs the workflow automatically.
- Set it to run every day at 09:00.
- Click "Execute step" to test it: the output panel shows the trigger fired.
Every workflow starts with exactly one trigger. Later you can swap this for a webhook, a form submission or an app event without changing the rest of the workflow.
Step 2: Read Data From Google Sheets
- Click the + after the trigger and add a Google Sheets node.
- Connect your Google account when prompted — n8n stores this as a reusable credential.
- Choose your spreadsheet and sheet, and set the operation to "Read rows".
- Execute the node. The output panel now shows one item per spreadsheet row.
This is the core n8n pattern: each node outputs JSON items, and the next node receives them. Add a Filter node here if you only want rows matching a condition, like "Status equals New".
Step 3: Shape the Data
Raw spreadsheet rows rarely match what the next app expects. Add an "Edit Fields (Set)" node to keep only the columns you need and rename them — for example mapping a "Full Name" column to a field called name.
To use a value from an earlier node in any field, drag it from the input panel into the field. n8n writes the expression (like {{ $json.name }}) for you. For anything more custom, the Code node accepts plain JavaScript or Python.
Step 4: Post the Summary to Slack
- Add a Slack node and connect your workspace.
- Choose "Post message" and pick your channel.
- Write the message text, dragging in fields from earlier nodes — for example the row count and each customer name.
- Execute the node and check Slack: your message should appear.
Step 5: Test, Then Activate
- Click "Execute workflow" to run the whole chain end to end.
- Open each node and confirm its output looks right — green means success.
- Add an Error Trigger workflow so you get alerted if a run ever fails.
- Toggle the workflow to Active. It now runs every morning at 09:00 on its own.
- Watch the Executions list for the first few days to confirm everything fires as expected.
Where to Go Next
- Add an IF node to send different messages for different row types.
- Try the AI Agent node to summarise the rows instead of listing them.
- Browse ready-made templates — importing one and reading how it works is the fastest way to level up.
- Read the workflows guide for best practices on naming, error handling and scaling.
Keep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is n8n easy to learn?
Yes for the basics — most people build their first working workflow within an hour. The learning curve comes later, with branching logic, error handling and expressions, and templates plus this tutorial cover most of it.
Do I need to install anything for this n8n tutorial?
No. You can follow along on n8n Cloud with a free trial, or self-host with Docker in about 15 minutes using our install guide. The workflow-building steps are identical in both.
What should my first n8n workflow be?
Pick a small task you repeat weekly: moving form responses into a spreadsheet, posting a daily summary to Slack, or saving email attachments to cloud storage. Small, real and repetitive is the ideal first build.
How do n8n expressions work?
Expressions let any field read data from earlier nodes, written like {{ $json.email }}. You rarely type them by hand — drag a value from the input panel into a field and n8n writes the expression for you.
Why is my n8n workflow not running automatically?
The most common cause: the workflow is not activated. Building and testing works in the editor, but only an active workflow responds to its trigger. Toggle it Active in the top-right of the canvas.
How do I debug a failing n8n workflow?
Open the Executions list, click the failed run, and find the red node — its error message and input data usually explain the problem. Re-run from that node after fixing it instead of starting over.
Can I learn n8n without coding?
Yes. The visual canvas, drag-and-drop expressions and ready-made templates cover most business automation. Code nodes are there when you want them, but they are optional.
Ready to build?
Start from a ready-made workflow, or have an expert build one around your own systems.