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Word, Swiss QR Bill, and a Base PDF. n8n Merges Them Into One. Six Nodes, Done!

· 19 min read
Sankalp Mishra
SEO and Content Writer

You have a Word file (e.g. 3page.docx) and a base PDF (e.g. demo_5_page.pdf) in Dropbox, and you need a Swiss QR Bill merged on top so the final PDF is ready to send. n8n and PDF4me do it in one workflow: Download a file (Word), Convert to PDF, Create SwissQR bill with creditor and debtor details, Download Base PDF file, Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay, then Upload a file to Dropbox. Six nodes. One run. No code.

This guide uses authentic screenshots and descriptive image captions so you can follow each step and match the configuration (paths, binary fields, and parameters) in your own n8n workflow.

In a nutshell: When clicking Execute workflow → Dropbox – Download a file (/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx, output in field data) → PDF4me – Convert to PDF (Binary Property data, Output File Name output.pdf) → PDF4me – Create SwissQR bill (Amount 500, Currency Swiss Franc, IBAN, creditor Test AG, debtor Test Debt AG, Output swissqr_bill.pdf) → Dropbox – Download Base PDF file (/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf, output in field base) → PDF4me – Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay (Base base, Layer data, Output overlayed_output.pdf) → Dropbox – Upload a file (/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf). Result: one merged PDF with base content and Swiss QR payment slip.

What You'll Get​

Input: A Word file (e.g. 3page.docx) and a base PDF (e.g. demo_5_page.pdf) in Dropbox, plus payment data for the Swiss QR Bill (IBAN, amount, creditor, debtor, reference type, language). Output: A single PDF that combines the base document with the generated Swiss QR Bill as an overlay, saved as Overlayed_Output.pdf in /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/. The QR bill shows Receipt and Payment part, scannable QR code, creditor (e.g. Test AG, 8001 Zurich), debtor (e.g. Test Debt AG, 3000 Bern), and amount (e.g. CHF 500.00).

What You Need​

  • n8n — n8n instance (cloud or self-hosted). Create a new workflow.
  • PDF4me credentials — Get your API key. Add a PDF4me account in n8n. See Connect PDF4me to n8n.
  • Dropbox — Credential: Dropbox OAuth2 API. Operations: Download (file by path) and Upload (binary file).
  • Word file — e.g. 3page.docx at /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx. Downloaded into a binary field (e.g. data) for Convert to PDF.
  • Base PDF — e.g. demo_5_page.pdf at /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf. Downloaded into a binary field (e.g. base) for the overlay merge.
  • Swiss QR Bill data — Amount (e.g. 500), Currency (Swiss Franc), IBAN (e.g. CH0102030405060708090), Creditor (Test AG, Test Strasse, House 2, 8001 Zurich), Ultimate Debtor (Test Debt AG, Test Deb Strasse, House 8, 3000 Bern), Reference Type (No Reference), Language Type (English). Optional: Reference, Unstructured Message, Billing Info, AV1/AV2, Custom Profiles.

The Workflow at a Glance (6 Nodes)​

  1. Trigger — When clicking Execute workflow (or a schedule/ webhook).
  2. Dropbox – Download a file — File Path: /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx. Put Output File in Field: data.
  3. PDF4me – Convert to PDF — Input Data Type: Binary Data. Binary Property: data. Input File Name: e.g. Test.docx. Output File Name: output.pdf. Binary Data Output Name: data.
  4. PDF4me – Create SwissQR bill — Invoice Operations: Create SwissQR Bill. Input Data Type: Binary Data. Binary Property: data. File Name: Test.pdf. Amount, Currency, IBAN, Creditor and Ultimate Debtor fields. Output File Name: swissqr_bill.pdf. Output Binary Field Name: data.
  5. Dropbox – Download Base PDF file — File Path: /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf. Put Output File in Field: base.
  6. PDF4me – Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay — Base PDF Binary Field: base. Layer PDF Binary Field: data. Output File Name: overlayed_output.pdf. Binary Data Output Name: data.
  7. Dropbox – Upload a file — File Path: /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf. Binary File: on. Input Binary Field: data.

Complete workflow overview​

n8n workflow: When clicking Execute workflow, Download a file (Dropbox), Convert to PDF (PDF4me), Create SwissQR bill (PDF4me), Download Base PDF file (Dropbox), Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay (PDF4me), Upload a file (Dropbox). All steps with green checkmarks.

Six nodes plus trigger: Download file (Word), Convert to PDF, Create SwissQR bill, Download Base PDF file, Merge overlay, Upload file. Each node shows 1 item and success state.

Step 1: Download a file (Dropbox)​

Workflow so far: Trigger and one Dropbox node.

  1. Add Trigger → When clicking Execute workflow (or another trigger).
  2. Add Dropbox → Download a file (or equivalent node that downloads by path).
  3. Credential — Dropbox OAuth2 API.
  4. Resource — File. Operation — Download.
  5. File Path — /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx.
  6. Put Output File in Field — data (so the next node can use the binary in property data).
  7. Execute the step. Output shows 3page.docx, directory /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge, MIME type for Word, file size.

Download a file: Parameters​

n8n Dropbox Download a file: Parameters tab, Credential Dropbox OAuth2 API, Resource File, Operation Download, File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx, Put Output File in Field data

Dropbox Download configured with File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx and Put Output File in Field data. OUTPUT panel shows 3page.docx and binary details.

Step 2: Convert to PDF (PDF4me)​

Workflow so far: Trigger → Download file → Convert to PDF.

  1. Add PDF4me node. Resource — Convert. Convert Operations — Convert to PDF.
  2. Credential — PDF4ME account.
  3. Input Data Type — Binary Data.
  4. Binary Property — data (from the previous node).
  5. Input File Name — e.g. Test.docx.
  6. Output File Name — output.pdf. Binary Data Output Name — data.
  7. Execute the step. OUTPUT shows output.pdf, application/pdf, file size (e.g. 34.4 kB). This binary is passed to Create SwissQR bill.

Convert to PDF: Parameters and output​

n8n PDF4me Convert to PDF: INPUT 3page.docx from Download a file, Parameters Credential PDF4ME account, Resource Convert, Convert to PDF, Binary Property data, Input File Name Test.docx, Output File Name output.pdf, OUTPUT output.pdf

Convert to PDF with Binary Property data, Input File Name Test.docx, Output File Name output.pdf. Output binary in field data is used by the Create SwissQR bill node.

Step 3: Create SwissQR bill (PDF4me)​

Workflow so far: Trigger → Download → Convert to PDF → Create SwissQR bill.

  1. Add PDF4me node. Resource — Invoice. Invoice Operations — Create SwissQR Bill.
  2. Credential — PDF4ME account.
  3. Input Data Type — Binary Data. Binary Property — data (from Convert to PDF). File Name — Test.pdf.
  4. Amount — 500. Currency — Swiss Franc. IBAN — e.g. CH0102030405060708090.
  5. Creditor: Creditor Name Test AG, Creditor Address Type Structured, Creditor Address Line 1 Test Strasse, Creditor Address Line 2 House 2, Creditor Postal Code 8001, Creditor City Zurich.
  6. Ultimate Debtor: Ultimate Debtor Name Test Debt AG, Ultimate Debtor Address Type Structured, Ultimate Debtor Address Line 1 Test Deb Strasse, Ultimate Debtor Address Line 2 House 8, Ultimate Debtor Postal Code 3000, Ultimate Debtor City Bern.
  7. Reference Type — No Reference. Language Type — English. Separator Line — Line With Scissor (or LineWithScissor).
  8. Output File Name — swissqr_bill.pdf. Output Binary Field Name — data.
  9. Advanced Options (optional): Reference, Unstructured Message (e.g. Thank you for your business), Billing Info (e.g. Invoice for services rendered), AV1/AV2, Custom Profiles (e.g. { 'outputDataFormat': 'base64' }).
  10. Execute the step. OUTPUT shows swissqr_bill.pdf in binary field data (this becomes the layer in the merge).

Create SwissQR bill: Invoice operations and payment​

n8n PDF4me Create SwissQR bill: Credential PDF4ME account, Resource Invoice, Invoice Operations Create SwissQR Bill, Input Data Type Binary Data, Binary Property data, File Name Test.pdf, Amount 500, Currency Swiss Franc, IBAN CH0102030405060708090, Creditor Name Test AG, Creditor Address Type Structured, Creditor Address Line 1 Test Strasse

Create SwissQR bill node with Credential PDF4ME account, Invoice Operations Create SwissQR Bill, Binary Property data, Amount 500, Currency Swiss Franc, IBAN and Creditor Test AG with Structured address.

Create SwissQR bill: Debtor and reference​

Create SwissQR bill parameters: Creditor Address Line 2 House 2, Creditor Postal Code 8001, Creditor City Zurich, Ultimate Debtor Name Test Debt AG, Ultimate Debtor Address Type Structured, Address Line 1 Test Deb Strasse, Address Line 2 House 8, Postal Code 3000, City Bern, Reference Type No Reference, Language Type English

Creditor and Ultimate Debtor address fields: Test AG Zurich 8001, Test Debt AG Bern 3000, Reference Type No Reference, Language Type English.

Create SwissQR bill: Output and advanced options​

Create SwissQR bill: Language Type English, Separator Line Line With Scissor, Output File Name swissqr_bill.pdf, Output Binary Field Name data, Advanced Options Reference Unstructured Message Billing Info AV1 AV2, Custom Profiles outputDataFormat base64

Output File Name swissqr_bill.pdf, Output Binary Field Name data. Advanced options: Reference, Unstructured Message, Billing Info, AV1/AV2, Custom Profiles.

Step 4: Download Base PDF file (Dropbox)​

Workflow so far: Trigger → Download Word → Convert to PDF → Create SwissQR bill → Download Base PDF.

  1. Add Dropbox → Download Base PDF file (or the node that downloads a file by path and puts it in a named field).
  2. Credential — Dropbox OAuth2 API. Resource — File. Operation — Download.
  3. File Path — /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf.
  4. Put Output File in Field — base (so the merge node has base and layer in separate fields).
  5. Execute the step. Output shows demo_5_page.pdf in field base.

Download Base PDF file: Parameters​

n8n Dropbox Download Base PDF file: Credential Dropbox OAuth2 API, Resource File, Operation Download, File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf, Put Output File in Field base

Download Base PDF file with File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf and Put Output File in Field base. This PDF is used as the base layer in the overlay merge.

Step 5: Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay (PDF4me)​

Workflow so far: All nodes up to the merge.

  1. Add PDF4me node. Resource — Merge & Split. Merge & Split Operations — Merge two PDF files one over another as Overlay.
  2. Credential — PDF4ME account.
  3. Base PDF Input Type — Binary Data. Layer PDF Input Type — Binary Data.
  4. Base PDF Binary Field — base (from Download Base PDF file). Layer PDF Binary Field — data (from Create SwissQR bill).
  5. Output File Name — overlayed_output.pdf. Binary Data Output Name — data.
  6. Execute the step. OUTPUT shows overlayed_output.pdf (e.g. 144 kB) in binary field data. This is the merged PDF (base + Swiss QR Bill layer).

Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay​

n8n PDF4me Merge two PDF files one over another as overlay: INPUT base demo_5_page.pdf and data swissqr_bill.pdf, Parameters Base PDF Binary Field base, Layer PDF Binary Field data, Output File Name overlayed_output.pdf, OUTPUT data overlayed_output.pdf

Merge overlay with Base PDF Binary Field base (demo_5_page.pdf) and Layer PDF Binary Field data (swissqr_bill.pdf). Output overlayed_output.pdf in field data for the Upload node.

Step 6: Upload a file (Dropbox)​

Workflow so far: All six nodes; final node saves the merged PDF.

  1. Add Dropbox → Upload a file (or equivalent that uploads binary to a path).
  2. Credential — Dropbox OAuth2 API. Resource — File. Operation — Upload.
  3. File Path — /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf.
  4. Binary File — On. Input Binary Field — data (from the merge node).
  5. Execute the step. OUTPUT JSON shows name: Overlayed_Output.pdf, path_display, size, and success metadata.
  6. The merged PDF is now in Dropbox at the given path.

Upload a file: Parameters and output​

n8n Dropbox Upload a file: INPUT Merge two PDF files one over overlayed_output.pdf 144 kB, Parameters Credential Dropbox OAuth2 API, Resource File, Operation Upload, File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf, Binary File on, Input Binary Field data, OUTPUT JSON name Overlayed_Output.pdf path_display size

Upload a file with File Path /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf, Binary File on, Input Binary Field data. Output confirms name, path_display, and size of the uploaded file.

Output: Merged PDF with Swiss QR Bill​

The workflow produces a single PDF that combines the base document (e.g. demo_5_page.pdf) with the generated Swiss QR Bill as an overlay. The QR bill shows Receipt and Payment part, scannable QR code, Account/Payable to (e.g. CH01 0203 0405 0607 0809 0, Test AG, Test Strasse House 2, 8001 Zurich), Payable by (e.g. Test Debt AG, Test Deb Strasse House 8, 3000 Bern), and Currency Amount CHF 500.00. The file is saved as Overlayed_Output.pdf in /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/.

Generated Swiss QR Bill: Receipt and Payment part with QR code, Account Payable to Test AG 8001 Zurich, Payable by Test Debt AG 3000 Bern, Currency Amount CHF 500.00, Acceptance point

Final merged document with Swiss QR Bill layout: Receipt, Payment part with QR code, creditor and debtor details, and CHF amount. Ready for distribution or printing.

Use Cases​

Invoices and quotes: Use a Word or PDF invoice as the base; add a compliant Swiss QR Bill as overlay so each PDF is human-readable and machine-scannable for payment.

Bulk payment slips: Trigger the workflow from a webhook or schedule; pass different amounts and debtor data (e.g. from a database or spreadsheet) into the Create SwissQR bill node to generate one merged PDF per run.

Self-hosted automation: Run n8n on your own infrastructure and keep document and payment data in your control while using PDF4me for conversion and QR bill generation.

Quick Reference​

NodeKey settingExample
Dropbox Download a fileFile Path, Put Output File in Field/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/3page.docx; data
PDF4me Convert to PDFBinary Property, Output File Name, Binary Data Output Namedata; output.pdf; data
PDF4me Create SwissQR billBinary Property, Amount, Currency, IBAN, Creditor/Debtor, Output File Namedata; 500; Swiss Franc; CH01...; Test AG / Test Debt AG; swissqr_bill.pdf
Dropbox Download Base PDF fileFile Path, Put Output File in Field/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/demo_5_page.pdf; base
PDF4me Merge overlayBase PDF Binary Field, Layer PDF Binary Field, Output File Namebase; data; overlayed_output.pdf
Dropbox Upload a fileFile Path, Binary File, Input Binary Field/blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/Overlayed_Output.pdf; on; data

For full parameter details, see Create Swiss QR Bill — n8n and Merge two PDF files one over another as Overlay (or the equivalent merge node in the n8n docs). For the same flow in Power Automate, see Swiss QR merge (Power Automate).

Troubleshooting​

Wrong binary field in Merge overlay

Base PDF Binary Field must point to the node that outputs the base PDF (Download Base PDF file → base). Layer PDF Binary Field must point to the Swiss QR Bill output (Create SwissQR bill → data). Ensure the previous nodes have run successfully and the field names match.

Swiss QR Bill validation errors

Check IBAN format (Swiss IBAN), amount and currency, and that creditor and debtor address fields use the correct Address Type (Structured). Reference Type and optional Reference must follow Swiss standards when used.

API or connection errors

See PDF4me Troubleshooting for API key, credits, and connectivity.

What's Next​

  1. Run the workflow — Execute and confirm Overlayed_Output.pdf appears in /blog data/convert-swissqr-merge/output/ with base content and Swiss QR Bill visible.
  2. Automate — Replace the manual trigger with Schedule or Webhook and pass file paths or payment data from another system.
  3. Dynamic data — Use expressions to set Amount, IBAN, creditor, and debtor from a previous node (e.g. database or CSV) for batch runs.
  4. Same flow elsewhere — Use Swiss QR merge in Power Automate for the same logic in Microsoft flows.
n8nGet API KeyCreate Swiss QR Bill (n8n docs)Swiss QR merge (Power Automate)