Convert PDF, DOC & Images to Markdown via Datalab.to API

This n8n workflow automates the conversion of various file formats including PDFs, Word documents (.doc/.docx), and images (PNG, JPG, WEBP) into structured Markdown text via the Datalab.to API. It starts with a form trigger or webhook to handle file uploads, followed by validation of file types and sizes to ensure compatibility. The core processing sends the file to the API endpoint using a POST request with multipart form data and your API key, then extracts and cleans the resulting Markdown for immediate use.

The benefits include seamless handling of mixed file types without manual intervention, producing high-quality, AI-ready text that's free from formatting artifacts. This saves significant time compared to manual conversions or complex OCR setups, enabling scalable document processing pipelines. It's particularly valuable for preparing data for vector databases, reducing noise in LLM inputs, and streamlining knowledge base updates.

Use cases span AI workflows like RAG systems for chatbots, content management for searchable archives, batch processing in e-commerce for product docs, and automated analysis in research pipelines. Setup is straightforward: obtain a Datalab.to API key, configure n8n credentials, and import the workflow for instant productivity gains.