Description
n8n-nodes-document-generator
This is an n8n community node. It helps you to create:
- One dynamic content per all input items.
- One dynamic content per input item.
If you have any questions or remarks please contact me.
n8n is a fair-code licensed workflow automation platform.
TL;DR
Don't want to read? Import the sample workflow Generate dynamic contents for EMAILS or HTML pages to test this node with random samples.
Installation
Follow the installation guide in the n8n community nodes documentation.
Compatibility
This node was developed and tested with version 0.193.5 of n8n.
Dependencies
If you install this node, n8n will install automatically the next extra npm packages:
- @jaredwray/fumanchu: this new Handlebars replacement provides Handlebars + Helpers Together.
Usage
The node can solve multiple use cases when creating content like:
- Email generation (HTML or TEXT)
- Static HTML pages
- WordPress posts
- Telegram/Slack messages
- Use helpers to filter templates
- Create custom helpers for business-specific logic
- Dynamic content generation with complex data transformations
The sky is your limit!
Just follow the next samples to create your dynamic content and forget to use SET, CODE nodes.
All input items in one template
Cases
- You want to send a list of recent news about n8n.
- You want to send the list of the customers created in the last hour in your database.
Template
Supposing that you have a customer list in JSON:
[
{
"email": "miquel@n8nhackers.com",
"name": "Miquel",
"primary": true
},
{
"email": "support@n8nhackers.com",
"name": "Contact",
"primary": false
}
]
We will try a Handlebars helper #if to show if the contact is the primary email or not.
If you use the next template:
<ul id="customer_list">
{{#each items}}
<li>{{name}}: {{email}} {{#if (eq primary true)}}(primary){{/if}}</li>
{{/each}}
</ul>
And you will get the next output to send by email in HTML format:
<ul id="customer_list">
<li>Miquel: miquel@n8nhackers.com (primary)</li>
<li>Contact: support@n8nhackers.com</li>
</ul>
Property items is always mandatory to iterate over all items.
One input item per template
Cases
- You have an invoice with header and lines and you want to send it by email.
Template
If you have one item/invoice with this JSON:
{
"date": "2022-01-12",
"to": "N8n hackers",
"address": "Granollers, Spain",
"total": 133.10,
"lines": [
{
"description": "Create a node to render items in handlebar templates",
"quantity": 1,
"amount": 100,
"vat": 21,
"total": 121
},
{
"description": "Test a node to render items in handlebar templates",
"quantity": 1,
"amount": 10,
"vat": 2.10,
"total": 12.1
}
]
}
You need to use this template:
Date: {{date}}
To: {{to}}
Address: {{address}}
Details:
{{#each lines}}
- "{{description}}" x {{quantity}} = {{amount}}€ + {{vat}}€ = {{total}}€
{{/each}}
Total invoice: {{total}}€
And you will get the next output to send by email in TEXT format:
Date: 2022-01-12
To: N8n hackers
Address: Granollers, Spain
Details:
- "Create a node to render items in handlebar templates" x 1 = 100€ + 21€ = 121€
- "Test a node to render items in handlebar templates" x 1 = 10€ + 2.10€ = 12.10€
Total invoice: 133.10€
I recommend using this method if you want to send multiple invoices.
Helpers
The node supports both built-in helpers and custom helpers thanks to the @jaredwray/fumanchu package.
Built-in Helpers
The node includes a comprehensive set of built-in helpers for common operations like date formatting, string manipulation, comparisons, and more. Check the fumanchu helpers documentation for a complete list.
Custom Helpers
You can now define your own custom Handlebars helpers to extend the templating functionality. This feature allows you to:
- Create reusable functions for complex data transformations
- Implement business-specific logic directly in templates
- Load helpers from external sources for better code organization
Enabling Custom Helpers
- Check the "Use Custom Helpers" option in the node configuration
- Choose your helpers source:
- From Field: Write JavaScript code directly in the node
- From URL: Load helpers from an external JavaScript file
Custom Helpers Format
Your custom helpers should be defined as a JavaScript module that exports an object with helper functions:
module.exports = {
// String manipulation helpers
uppercase: function(str) {
return str.toUpperCase();
},
capitalize: function(str) {
return str.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + str.slice(1).toLowerCase();
},
// Date formatting helpers
formatDate: function(date, format) {
const d = new Date(date);
if (format === 'short') {
return d.toLocaleDateString();
}
return d.toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
year: 'numeric',
month: 'long',
day: 'numeric'
});
},
// Math helpers
multiply: function(a, b) {
return a * b;
},
percentage: function(value, total) {
return ((value / total) * 100).toFixed(2) + '%';
},
// Conditional helpers
isEven: function(number) {
return number % 2 === 0;
},
// Array helpers
joinWithComma: function(array) {
return array.join(', ');
}
};
Loading Helpers from URL
For better code organization, you can host your helpers in an external JavaScript file:
// https://mydomain.com/helpers/custom-helpers.js
module.exports = {
formatCurrency: function(amount, currency = 'EUR') {
return new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: currency
}).format(amount);
},
slugify: function(text) {
return text
.toLowerCase()
.replace(/[^\w\s-]/g, '')
.replace(/[\s_-]+/g, '-')
.replace(/^-+|-+$/g, '');
}
};
Then use the URL in the node configuration: https://mydomain.com/helpers/custom-helpers.js
Security and Limitations
- Custom helpers run in a sandboxed environment for security
- Execution timeout is set to 5 seconds to prevent infinite loops
- Basic Node.js modules are available (console, Buffer, setTimeout, etc.)
- Helper functions should be pure functions without side effects for best results
Error Handling
If there are issues with your custom helpers:
- Syntax errors in the JavaScript code will be reported
- Invalid helper exports will show descriptive error messages
- Network issues when loading from URL will be handled gracefully
We recommend testing your helpers thoroughly before using them in production workflows
Doubts about templates syntax
Please, check the official page to review all the existing expressions in Handlebars.
Another way to try it out
N8N documentation on custom nodes
Clone the n8n-nodes-document-generator repository and execute:
# Use v20.12.2 = lts/iron
nvm use lts/iron
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build the code
npm run build
# "Publish" the package locally
npm link
Create an N8N installation and add the n8n-nodes-document-generator to it:
# Ensure that custom nodes directory exists in your .n8n
mkdir ~/.n8n/custom
# Init npm packages (intro to all questions)
cd ~/.n8n/custom && npm init
# "Install" the locally published module
npm link n8n-nodes-document-generator
# Start n8n
n8n start
Contribution
To make this node even better, please let us know, how you use it. Commits are always welcome.
Issues
If you have any issues, please let us know on GitHub.
About
Nodes by n8nhackers.com. For productive use and consulting on this, contact us please.
Special thanks to N8n nodemation workflow automation by Jan Oberhauser.
