Learning and educational tools
## How it works This workflow is an interactive, hands-on tutorial designed to teach you the absolute basics of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and, more importantly, how to use it within n8n. It's perfect for beginners who are new to automation and data structures. The tutorial is structured as a series of simple steps. Each node introduces a new, fundamental concept of JSON: 1. **Key/Value Pairs:** The basic building block of all JSON. 2. **Data Types:** It then walks you through the most common data types one by one: - **String** (text) - **Number** (integers and decimals) - **Boolean** (`true` or `false`) - **Null** (representing nothing) - **Array** (an ordered list of items) - **Object** (a collection of key/value pairs) 3. **Using JSON with Expressions:** The most important step! It shows you how to dynamically pull data from a previous node into a new one using n8n's expressions (`{{ }}`). 4. **Final Exam:** A final node puts everything together, building a complete JSON object by referencing data from all the previous steps. Each node has a detailed sticky note explaining the concept in simple terms. ## Set up steps **Setup time: 0 minutes!** This is a tutorial workflow, so there is no setup required. 1. Simply click the **Execute Workflow** button to run it. 2. Follow the instructions in the main sticky note: click on each node in order, from top to bottom. 3. For each node, observe the output in the right-hand panel and read the sticky note next to it to understand what you're seeing. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of what JSON is and how to work with it in your own n8n workflows.
## How it works This template is an interactive, step-by-step tutorial designed to teach you the most important skill in n8n: **using expressions to access and manipulate data**. If you know what JSON is but aren't sure how to pull a specific piece of information from one node and use it in another, this workflow is for you. It starts with a single Source Data node that acts as our filing cabinet, and then walks you through a series of lessons, each demonstrating a new technique for retrieving and transforming that data. You will learn how to: 1. **Access a simple value** from a previous node. 2. Use n8n's built-in selectors like **`.last()`** and **`.first()`**. 3. Get a specific item from a list (**Array**). 4. Drill down into nested data (**Objects**). 5. Combine these techniques to access data in an **array of objects**. 6. Go beyond simple retrieval by using **JavaScript functions** to do math or change text. 7. Inspect data with utility functions like **`Object.keys()`** and **`JSON.stringify()`**. 8. Summarize data from **multiple items** using `.all()` and arrow functions. ## Set up steps **Setup time: 0 minutes!** This workflow is a self-contained tutorial and requires no setup or external credentials. 1. Click **Execute Workflow** to run the entire tutorial. 2. Follow the flow from the Source Data node to the Final Exam node. 3. For each lesson, click on the node to see how its expressions are configured in the parameters panel. 4. Read the detailed sticky note next to each lesson—it breaks down exactly how the expression works and why. By the end, you'll have the foundational knowledge to connect data and build powerful, dynamic workflows in n8n.
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