What You Receive in the Workflow Package #
When users download this workflow package, they receive three main files:
- Workflow JSON
This file must be imported into n8n. - Spreadsheet Template
This is provided in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format. Users can either import it into Google Sheets or rebuild the same structure manually. - JSON2Video Template JSON
This file contains the rendering template code used by the workflow. It must be added manually inside the user’s JSON2Video account before video rendering can work.
Required Services and Accounts #
Before activation, the user must prepare and connect all required external services.
| Service | Why It Is Needed | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| n8n | Runs the full workflow automation | n8n |
| OpenAI API | Generates ideas, video content, narration, audio, and images | OpenAI API Platform |
| Google Sheets | Stores ideas, statuses, metadata, and publish tracking | Google Sheets |
| Google Drive | Stores generated assets and final videos | Google Drive |
| Cloudinary | Stores the generated voice file publicly | Cloudinary |
| JSON2Video | Renders the final video from images and audio | JSON2Video |
| YouTube | Publishes the finished video | YouTube |
Before You Start #
Make sure the following are ready before you test the workflow:
- an n8n account or self-hosted instance
- valid credentials for all external services
- one Google Drive parent folder
- one Google Sheet with the required structure
- one JSON2Video template imported into your account
- the workflow JSON imported into n8n but not activated yet
Step 1: Create the Google Drive Parent Folder #
The user must create one parent folder manually inside Google Drive before using the workflow.
Recommended approach #
- Create a folder with a name such as: Short Video n8n
- This parent folder will act as the main container for all generated video projects
What the workflow does automatically #
For every new produced idea, the workflow creates:
- one new subfolder inside the parent folder
- that subfolder is based on the Google Sheet row ID
- inside it, the workflow creates internal folders for:
- images
- voice
- final video storage
Important #
Only the parent folder should be created manually.
The workflow creates the internal project folders automatically.
Step 2: Prepare the Google Sheet #
The workflow requires a Google Sheet with the exact structure below.
Required columns #
| Column Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ID | Unique row identifier used by the workflow |
| Idea | The saved video idea |
| Production Status | Tracks whether the idea has been produced |
| Title | Final generated video title |
| Caption | Final generated caption |
| Cover Image | Saved image link |
| Video URL | Final rendered video link |
| Posting Status | Tracks whether the video has been published |
| Published Date | Date the video was published |
This structure is used by the workflow to track the full lifecycle of every content item from idea generation to final publishing.
Required dropdown values #
Two columns must use exact status values.
| Column | Allowed Values |
|---|---|
| Production Status | Not Produced, Produced |
| Posting Status | Not Published, Published |
Important #
These values must match exactly.
If they are renamed, misspelled, or replaced with different wording, the workflow may fail to select or update rows correctly.
Step 3: Import the Excel Template into Google Sheets #
If the user wants to use the included spreadsheet template instead of building the sheet manually, follow these steps:
- Open Google Sheets
- Create a new blank spreadsheet or open an existing one
- Click File → Import
- Upload the included .xlsx spreadsheet file
- Choose the preferred import option
- Complete the import and save it as a Google Sheet in your Google account
After import, verify: #
- all headers are still present
- headers are in the correct order
- dropdown fields are still correct
- the sheet is connected to the Google account you plan to use in n8n
Alternative #
Users may also create the sheet manually, as long as the structure and values match the required setup exactly.
Step 4: Install the JSON2Video Template #
The workflow depends on a JSON2Video rendering template, and this must be added manually before the render step can work.
What the user receives #
Inside the workflow package, the user receives the JSON code for the template used by this workflow. This template is designed to:
- accept 6 images
- use the audio track
- generate subtitles/captions from the audio during rendering
How to install it #
- Log in to your JSON2Video dashboard
- Go to Templates
- Create a new template
- Open the template editor
- At the top, next to the template name, open the dropdown menu
- Click Edit template JSON
- Delete the default JSON already in that editor
- Open the template JSON file included in this workflow package
- Copy its full contents
- Paste it into the Edit template JSON area
- Click Update JSON
- Save the template
- Copy the new template ID
- Use that template ID inside your workflow configuration
Important #
The workflow will not render final videos correctly until this template is installed and the correct template ID is added to the workflow.
Step 5: Import the Workflow into n8n #
Once the files and services are ready:
- Open your n8n workspace
- Import the workflow JSON file
- Review all nodes before activating anything
- Reconnect every credential using your own accounts
- Replace any IDs or references that still point to the original environment
Values you must update manually #
At minimum, confirm or replace:
- Google Sheet ID
- Google Drive parent folder ID
- OpenAI credentials
- Cloudinary credentials
- JSON2Video API key
- JSON2Video template ID
- YouTube credentials
- any other service references tied to the original setup
Do not activate immediately #
The workflow should be tested section by section first.
Step 6: Understand the Required Workflow Order #
The workflow schedule is flexible, but the logic order must always stay correct.
Dependency order #
- Idea Generation must run first
This creates ideas in the Google Sheet. - Video Creation can only run when ideas already exist and are marked Not Produced.
- Publishing can only run when a finished video already exists and the row is marked Not Published.
Simple rule #
- no ideas = no video creation
- no produced videos = no publishing
Example schedule logic #
A user might choose to:
- generate 20 ideas every 20 days
- create 1 video every morning
- publish 1 completed video after that
The exact timing is customizable, but the sequence must always make sense for the available data.
Final Checklist Before Activation #
Before turning the workflow on, confirm all of the following:
- spreadsheet is ready
- parent Google Drive folder is ready
- JSON2Video template has been imported
- all external credentials are connected
- all IDs and references point to your own environment
- schedule order matches your content pipeline
- each workflow section has been tested at least once
Recommended Testing Order #
To reduce errors, test the workflow in this order:
- Idea Generation
- Video Creation
- Publishing
This makes it easier to identify where a problem begins if something fails.
Setup Summary #
To use this workflow successfully, the user must do four things correctly:
- prepare the required external accounts
- import the spreadsheet and workflow files
- install the JSON2Video template
- reconnect credentials and replace environment-specific IDs
Once those are done, the workflow can be tested and then activated for regular use.
