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Convert to/from binary data#

The Convert to/from binary data node is useful to move data between binary and JSON properties.

Examples and templates

For usage examples and templates to help you get started, refer to n8n's Convert to/from binary data integrations page.

CSV to JSON

If you need to convert an entire CSV file to JSON, use the Spreadsheet File node.

Node reference#

The node provides the following parameters:

  • Mode: choose the conversion type.
    • Binary to JSON
    • JSON to Binary
  • Set All Data: available for Binary to JSON mode. If active, n8n replaces all JSON data with the data retrieved from the binary key. If it's not active, n8n writes the data to a single JSON key.
  • Source Key: available for Binary to JSON mode. The name of the binary key to get data from. You can use dot notation in keys. For example, level1.level2.currentKey.
  • Destination Key: available for Binary to JSON mode. The name of the JSON key to copy data to. You can use dot notation in keys. For example, level1.level2.newKey.
  • Convert All Data: available for JSON to Binary mode. If active n8n converts all JSON data to binary. If it's not active, n8n only converts the data specified in Source Key.
    • Source Key: available if Convert All Data is inactive. The name of the JSON key to get data from. You can use dot notation in keys. For example, level1.level2.currentKey.
  • Destination Key: available for JSON to Binary mode. The name of the key to copy data to. You can use dot notation in keys. For example, level1.level2.newKey.

Options#

  • Keep Source: keep the source key. By default n8n deletes it.
  • Encoding: set the encoding of the data stream.

The following options are available in Binary to JSON mode:

  • JSON Parse: run JSON parse on the data to get proper object data. This field is displayed when Set All Data is inactive.
  • Keep As Base64: keeps the binary data as base64 string. This field is displayed when Set All Data is inactive.
  • Strip BOM: strip the byte order mark (BOM) from the string. This field is displayed when Encoding is selected.

The following options are available in JSON to Binary mode:

  • Add BOM: add the byte order mark (BOM) to the string. This field is displayed when Encoding is selected.
  • File Name: the file name to set.
  • Mime Type: the MIME type to set. By default the JSON mime-type will be set.
  • Use Raw Data: use data as is and don't stringify it.
  • Data is Base64: keeps the binary data as base64 string. This field is displayed when Convert all Data is inactive.