n8n $item(index) Demo: Reference Single Data in Multi-Item Flows

This workflow illustrates a key n8n technique: the $item(index) method. It starts with a Manual Trigger, followed by a Set node that defines a single API key. The Customer Datastore node retrieves 5 customer records, creating multiple execution items. The HTTP Request node then sends POST requests for each customer, referencing the API key from the Set node using {{ $item(0).$node["Set"].json["apiKey"] }}. This avoids redundant data duplication and ensures the single API key is applied consistently across all 5 requests to a dummy webhook URL.

Benefits include efficient data referencing in multi-item workflows, reducing node complexity and errors. It's perfect for scenarios where shared configuration (like auth tokens) must be used in loops, saving time on repetitive setups.

Use cases span CRM sales (batch customer updates), API integrations (bulk sends with shared credentials), and dev tools (testing batch operations). Replace nodes with real data sources like Google Sheets or Airtable for production, making it versatile for sales proposals or lead enrichment.