n8n Integration
Connect Instafill.ai with 1,000+ apps and services through n8n to automate your document workflows. Fill forms from CRM data, convert incoming PDFs automatically, trigger Slack notifications when a fill completes, and more. Works with n8n Cloud and self-hosted instances.
Supported triggers and actions
Triggers
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Form Converted | Trigger (Instant) | Fires when a flat PDF is converted to a fillable form. |
| Form Filled | Trigger (Instant) | Fires when a form is filled with data. |
Actions
| Name | Resource | Type | Description | Required input |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create Fill | Fill | Create | Fills a PDF form with data from provided sources (file URLs, text). | Form (dropdown) |
| Get Fill | Fill | Search | Retrieves the status of a form fill and the filled PDF URL. | Fill ID |
| Upload Form | Form | Create | Uploads a PDF form to your Instafill.ai workspace. | PDF file (binary data) |
| Get Many Forms | Form | Search | Searches for forms in your workspace by name. | Search Query |
| Convert PDF | Utility | Create | Converts a flat PDF into a fillable form. Returns a job ID. | PDF file (binary data) |
| Get Conversion Status | Utility | Search | Returns the current status and result of a conversion job. | Job ID |
| Check If Flat | Utility | Create | Checks whether a PDF is flat or already fillable. | PDF file (binary data) |
New triggers and actions are added regularly. See the Instafill.ai page on n8n for the current list.
Getting started
Before you open n8n, generate an API key in your Instafill.ai account: Settings > Workspace > Manage API Keys
API keys are shown only once. Copy it before closing the page.
Then, in n8n:
- Open the editor and click + in the top right to open the Nodes panel.
- Search for Instafill.ai and add the node to your workflow.
- When prompted to connect your account, create a new credential of type Instafill.ai API and paste your API key.
- Configure your trigger or action, run a test, and activate the workflow.
Example workflows
Fill a form with data from a document
Instafill.ai (Fill > Create) > Wait > Instafill.ai (Fill > Get)
Select a form from the dropdown, provide source file URLs or text data, then poll the fill status to get the completed PDF URL.
Upload and convert a flat PDF
Read Binary File > Instafill.ai (Form > Upload) > Instafill.ai (Utility > Convert PDF) > Instafill.ai (Utility > Get Conversion Status)
Load a PDF from disk or an HTTP request, upload it to your workspace, and convert it to a fillable form.
Get notified in Slack when a form is filled
Instafill.ai Trigger (Form Filled) > Slack (Send Message)
Post a message with the filled PDF URL to your team channel the moment filling finishes.
Auto-convert flat PDFs from incoming emails
Gmail Trigger (New Email) > Instafill.ai (Utility > Check If Flat) > IF (Only continue if flat) > Instafill.ai (Utility > Convert PDF)
Detect and convert flat PDFs from incoming emails automatically.
Track every conversion in a spreadsheet
Instafill.ai Trigger (Form Converted) > Google Sheets (Append Row)
Keep a record of every conversion with timestamps and form details.
How filling works in n8n
Filling is asynchronous. When you run Create Fill, Instafill.ai starts processing and returns a fill ID immediately — the filled form isn't ready yet.
There are two ways to handle this in a workflow:
- Use the Form Filled trigger in a separate workflow. This trigger fires automatically when filling finishes, so you don't need to poll for the result.
- Add a Wait node + Get Fill step after Create Fill to check whether the fill is complete before continuing the workflow.
For most workflows, the Form Filled trigger is the simpler option.
How conversion works in n8n
Conversion is asynchronous. When you run Convert PDF, Instafill.ai starts processing and returns a job ID immediately — the converted form isn't ready yet.
There are two ways to handle this in a workflow:
- Use the Form Converted trigger in a separate workflow. This trigger fires automatically when conversion finishes, so you don't need to poll for the result.
- Add a Wait node + Get Conversion Status step after Convert PDF to check whether the job is complete before continuing the workflow.
For most workflows, the Form Converted trigger is the simpler option.
Convert PDF options
The Convert PDF action supports optional parameters for fine-tuning detection:
| Option | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | string | all | Specific pages to convert (e.g. 1,3,5 or 1-3). |
| Confidence | number | 0.1 | Detection threshold. Lower values detect more fields. |
| Resolution | number | 1600 | Image resolution for processing. Higher improves accuracy. |
| Allow Checkboxes | boolean | true | Whether to detect checkboxes in the PDF. |
| Auto Confirm | boolean | false | Whether to automatically confirm detected fields. |
| Use Cache | boolean | true | Whether to use cached results if available. |
Troubleshooting
API key is invalid
Copy the full key from Manage API Keys. If the key was lost before copying, generate a new one — existing keys can't be retrieved.
Form Filled trigger is not firing
This trigger fires only when a fill completes. Make sure the workflow is activated and check execution history for errors.
Form Converted trigger is not firing
This trigger fires only for flat-to-fillable conversions. Make sure the workflow is activated and check execution history for errors.
Create Fill returns an ID but no filled form
Filling runs asynchronously. Use Get Fill to poll the result, or use the Form Filled trigger in a separate workflow.
Convert PDF returns a job ID but no form
Conversion runs asynchronously. Use Get Conversion Status to poll the result, or use the Form Converted trigger in a separate workflow.
PDF file is not accepted for Upload, Convert, or Check
These operations expect binary data from a previous node (e.g. Read Binary File or HTTP Request). The Input Data Field Name must match the field containing the PDF. The default is data.
Source file URLs must use HTTPS
All file URLs provided to the Create Fill action must start with https://. Plain HTTP links are rejected.
FAQ
Do I need a paid plan?
API access is available on all paid Instafill.ai plans. n8n has its own free tier (Cloud and self-hosted) that works with any of them.
Is the node verified?
Yes. The Instafill.ai node is a verified community node on n8n.
Does it work with n8n self-hosted?
Yes. Install the node from the community nodes panel. Follow the n8n installation guide for details.
Can I use the node as an AI tool?
Yes. Both the action node and the trigger node have usableAsTool enabled, so they work as tools inside n8n AI Agent workflows.
Does it work with multi-page PDFs?
Yes. Each conversion counts as one operation regardless of how many pages the PDF has. Use the Pages option to convert specific pages only.
Will more triggers and actions be added?
Yes. The integration is actively expanding alongside the Instafill.ai API.
Support
- Instafill.ai — chat widget at instafill.ai or email [email protected]
- n8n — docs.n8n.io or n8n community forum
- API docs — docs.instafill.ai
- npm — n8n-nodes-instafill