Convert CSV from URL to Excel in n8n Workflow Automation

Download a CSV from a URL and convert it to an Excel file in n8n

This n8n workflow fetches a CSV file from a direct link and converts the binary spreadsheet data into an Excel format automatically—ideal if you need quick, repeatable CSV-to-Excel conversions as part of your automation pipeline.

What this workflow does

• Downloads an example CSV file via HTTP request using a direct link.
• The sample source CSV is taken from the European Open Data Portal:
  https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/veranstaltungsplaetze-potsdam-potsdam?locale=en
• Imports the CSV binary data with the Spreadsheet File node (noting that in n8n v1.23.0 it was redesigned and renamed).
• Converts the content into an Excel file as the workflow output.
• Manual trigger support lets you run the conversion on demand for testing or operational use.

Use cases

• Normalize open data feeds (e.g., European Open Data Portal datasets) into Excel for reporting.
• Assist analysts and operators who prefer Excel files over CSV exports.
• Automate recurring conversions when a source system provides updated CSV downloads via URL.
• Prepare data for downstream tools that consume .xlsx instead of .csv.

Technical details

• Nodes/steps: Sticky Note, HTTP Request, Manual Trigger, Spreadsheet File / Convert to File
• Core integration: Fetch CSV from a URL and pass the binary data into the spreadsheet conversion step.
• n8n version note: As of n8n v1.23.0, the “Spreadsheet File” node was redesigned and is now called the Convert to File node. Learn more: n8n release notes.