Automatic File Renaming with Timestamp Format for Google Drive

Description:

Streamline your cloud storage with this powerful Google Drive File Renamer automation built with n8n. The workflow watches a specific Google Drive folder and automatically renames new files using a standardized format based on their creation date and time—ideal for organizing images, backups, and uploads with consistent timestamp-based names. Whether you're managing daily uploads, sorting Instagram-ready content, or organizing client submissions, this timestamp-based file naming system ensures consistent and searchable file structures—without manual intervention.

What This Template Does (Step-by-Step)

🔔 Google Drive Trigger – "Watch Folder" Setup Monitors a specific folder (e.g., “Instagram”) Detects new file creations every minute Captures file metadata like ID, createdTime, and extension

🧠 Set Formatted Name Extracts file creation time (e.g., 2025-07-22T14:45:10Z) Converts it into a structured name like IMG_20250722_1445.jpg Keeps original file extension (JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.)

✏️ Rename File (Google Drive) Renames the original file using Google Drive API Applies the new timestamped name Keeps file content, permissions, and location unchanged

Required Integrations: Google Drive API (OAuth2 credentials)

Best For:

📸 Content creators organizing uploads from mobile 🏷️ Branding teams enforcing uniform naming 🗄️ Admins managing scanned documents or backups 📂 Automated archives for media, reports, or daily snapshots

Key Benefits:

✅ Timestamped naming ensures chronological file tracking ✅ Reduces human error and messy file names ✅ Works in real-time (polls every minute) ✅ No-code: Deploy with drag-and-drop setup in n8n ✅ Fully customizable name patterns (e.g., change IMG_ prefix)