Secure Excel file using n8n action

PDF4me Secure Excel applies comprehensive password protection to Excel documents through n8n automation workflows with multi-level security control. Process Excel files via n8n triggers, binary data, base64 strings, or public URLs to protect at three independent levels: file encryption (password to open), workbook structure protection (prevent sheet modifications), and worksheet content protection (prevent cell edits), with flexible password hierarchy allowing separate passwords for each level or single password for all, plus selective worksheet targeting and four protection types (Contents, Objects, Scenarios, All). This solution is ideal for confidential data protection, template security, controlled access workflows, and automated security enforcement that require multi-level password protection with comprehensive control and seamless integration.

Setup

Add the PDF4me "Secure Excel" node to your n8n workflow and configure the required parameters. For initial setup instructions, see our n8n Integration Guide.

Prerequisites:

• PDF4me API credentials
• n8n workflow access

Get Your API Key

Configuration:

1. Add PDF4me node to workflow
2. Select "Secure Excel" action
3. Configure input parameters (see below)

Parameters

Complete list of parameters for the Secure Excel action. Configure these parameters to control protection levels and passwords.

Important: Parameters marked with an asterisk (***) are required. At least one password must be provided for respective protection level. Worksheet indexes use 0-based numbering (0 = first worksheet).

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
Input Data Type***	String	Excel Input Format Selection • Choose the format of your Excel data input • PDF4me supports multiple input types • Options: Binary Data, Base64 String, or URL	Binary Data
Input Binary Field***	Binary	Binary Excel File Input (Required if Binary Data) • Reference Excel file (.xlsx, .xls) from previous n8n node or file upload • PDF4me processes binary Excel files with automatic format detection • Required when Input Data Type is "Binary Data"	{{ $binary.data }}
Base64 Excel Content***	String	Base64 Encoded Excel Input (Required if Base64 String) • Provide Excel content (.xlsx, .xls) as base64 encoded string • PDF4me automatically decodes and processes the Excel content • Required when Input Data Type is "Base64 String"	UEsDBBQABgAI...
Excel URL***	String	Public Excel URL Input (Required if URL) • Provide a public/open permission URL to the Excel file (.xlsx, .xls) • PDF4me downloads and processes the Excel file from the provided URL • Required when Input Data Type is "URL"	https://abc.com/data.xlsx
Excel Name***	String	Excel Input Filename • Specify the name of the input Excel file with proper extension (.xlsx, .xls) • PDF4me uses this for format detection and processing optimization	data.xlsx
Password	String	File Encryption Password (Level 1) • Password required to open the file - encrypts entire file • Also used as fallback for workbook and worksheet protection if their specific passwords are empty • Optional - no file encryption if empty • User Experience: Prompts "Enter password to open this file" - without password, cannot open or view file at all • Case-sensitive	MyPassword123
Protect Workbook	Boolean	Enable Workbook Structure Protection (Level 2) • True = protect workbook structure - prevents adding/deleting/renaming/moving/hiding worksheets • False = no structure protection (default) • Requires password (ProtectWorkbookPassword or Password fallback) • User Experience: Prompts "This workbook is protected" when trying to modify structure • Default: false	true
Protect Workbook Password	String	Workbook Protection Password (Level 2) • Password for workbook structure protection • Password Fallback: Priority 1: ProtectWorkbookPassword (if provided), Priority 2: Password (if provided) • Required if ProtectWorkbook = true and Password is empty • Case-sensitive	StructurePass
Protect Worksheets	Boolean	Enable Worksheet Content Protection (Level 3) • True = protect selected worksheets - prevents data modifications • False = no worksheet protection (default) • Requires password (WorksheetProtectionPassword or Password fallback) • User Experience: Prompts "The cell you're trying to change is protected" when trying to edit • Default: false	true
Worksheet Protection Type	String	Type of Worksheet Protection • "Contents" = protect cell values, formulas, formatting (prevents editing cells, changing formats) • "Objects" = protect charts, images, shapes, drawings (prevents moving, resizing, deleting objects) • "Scenarios" = protect what-if analysis scenarios (prevents creating, modifying scenarios) • "All" = full protection (Contents + Objects + Scenarios) - Default, read-only access • Case-insensitive	All
Worksheet Protection Password	String	Worksheet Protection Password (Level 3) • Password for worksheet content protection • Password Fallback: Priority 1: WorksheetProtectionPassword (if provided), Priority 2: Password (if provided) • Required if ProtectWorksheets = true and Password is empty • Case-sensitive	EditPass
Worksheet Names	String	Comma-Separated Worksheet Names • List of worksheet names to protect • Empty = protect all worksheets • Case-sensitive worksheet names • Union with WorksheetIndexes	Sheet1,Summary
Worksheet Indexes	String	Comma-Separated Indexes (0-based) • List of worksheet indexes to protect • 0-based indexing (0 = first sheet) • Empty = protect all worksheets • Union with WorksheetNames	0,2
Binary Data Output Name***	String	Binary Data Output Mapping • Define the variable name for accessing generated Excel binary data • Used in subsequent workflow actions • Essential for workflow automation	document

Output

Output Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
fileName	String	Secured Excel document filename - The name of the output password-protected Excel document file	excel_secured.xlsx
fileSize	Number	File size in bytes - The size of the Excel document in bytes after security application	217600
success	Boolean	PDF4me operation status - Boolean flag indicating the success or failure of the password protection process. PDF4me returns true for successful operations and false for any errors	true
originalFileName	String	Original Excel document filename - The name of the input Excel document file	myExcelFile.xlsx
fileFormat	String	Excel file format - The format of the Excel file. Values: "xlsx" for Excel 2007+, "xls" for Excel 97-2003	xls
filePasswordProtected	Boolean	File encryption status - Indicates whether file-level password protection (encryption) was applied. true if file encryption is enabled, false if not	true
workbookProtected	Boolean	Workbook protection status - Indicates whether workbook structure protection was applied. true if workbook is protected, false if not	true
worksheetsProtected	Boolean	Worksheet protection status - Indicates whether worksheet content protection was applied. true if worksheets are protected, false if not	true
worksheetProtectionType	String	Worksheet protection type - The type of worksheet protection applied. Values: "Contents", "Objects", "Scenarios", "All"	All
worksheetSelection	String	Worksheet selection - Indicates which worksheets were protected. Values: "all" if all worksheets, or specific worksheet names/indexes	all
protectionSummary	Array	Protection summary - Array of strings describing the security measures applied to the document	["File encryption enabled", "Workbook structure protected", "Worksheets protected (all)"]
message	String	Operation message - Descriptive message indicating the result of the security operation, including file format and all protection levels applied	Successfully secured Excel file (.xls): File encryption enabled, Workbook structure protected, Worksheets protected (all)

N8N Action Response

The PDF4me Secure Excel API returns a response that can be viewed in multiple formats. Choose the view that best fits your needs:

JSON

JSON Response Format

The raw JSON response from the API:

[
  {
    "fileName": "excel_secured.xlsx",
    "fileSize": 217600,
    "success": true,
    "originalFileName": "myExcelFile.xlsx",
    "fileFormat": "xls",
    "filePasswordProtected": true,
    "workbookProtected": true,
    "worksheetsProtected": true,
    "worksheetProtectionType": "All",
    "worksheetSelection": "all",
    "protectionSummary": [
      "File encryption enabled",
      "Workbook structure protected",
      "Worksheets protected (all)"
    ],
    "message": "Successfully secured Excel file (.xls): File encryption enabled, Workbook structure protected, Worksheets protected (all)"
  }
]

Table

Table View

Response data in a structured table format:

Parameter	Value
fileName	excel_secured.xlsx
fileSize	217600
success	true
originalFileName	myExcelFile.xlsx
fileFormat	xls
filePasswordProtected	true
workbookProtected	true
worksheetsProtected	true
worksheetProtectionType	All
worksheetSelection	all
protectionSummary	["File encryption enabled", "Workbook structure protected", "Worksheets protected (all)"]
message	Successfully secured Excel file (.xls): File encryption enabled, Workbook structure protected, Worksheets protected (all)

Schema

Schema View

The data structure and types of the response:

1 item
fileName: T excel_secured.xlsx
fileSize: # 217600
success: ☑ true
originalFileName: T myExcelFile.xlsx
fileFormat: T xls
filePasswordProtected: ☑ true
workbookProtected: ☑ true
worksheetsProtected: ☑ true
worksheetProtectionType: T All
worksheetSelection: T all
protectionSummary: [] Array
  [0]: T File encryption enabled
  [1]: T Workbook structure protected
  [2]: T Worksheets protected (all)
message: T Successfully secured Excel file (.xls): File encryption enabled, Workbook structure protected, Worksheets protected (all)

Type Indicators:

• T = String (Text)
• # = Number
• ☑ = Boolean
• [] = Array

Binary

Binary Data View

The actual Excel document file data and metadata:

data
─────────────────────────────
File Name: excel_secured.xlsx
File Extension: xlsx
Mime Type: application/vnd.ms-excel
File Size: 218 kB

Binary Data Access:

• n8n Binary Object: $binary.data.data
• Base64 Content: Available for direct use
• File Operations: Ready for download, email, or storage

Use Cases

Confidential Data Protection

• Encrypt sensitive financial or personal data files with password protection
• Protect confidential reports and documents from unauthorized access
• Apply multi-level security to ensure data confidentiality

Template Security and Read-Only Distribution

• Protect Excel templates from structure changes while allowing data entry
• Distribute read-only reports with worksheet protection
• Secure formula sheets while allowing input in designated areas

Controlled Access Workflows

• Apply different password levels for different user groups
• Protect specific worksheets while leaving others editable
• Implement security policies with automated password protection

Get Help

n8n Integration Guiden8n SampleGetting Started