How can I let a Dockerized n8n workflow access files from my computer?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm running n8n locally inside Docker and using a Read from Disk node to load files such as an .xlsx spreadsheet and a PDF. The node keeps returning "No file found," even when I enter the exact path. I've also tried paths like /home/nodes/files/file.pdf and then ran into access errors. What Docker configuration do I need so n8n can see files stored on my computer, and what path should I use in the node?
Answers
For a Docker Compose setup, add a volume under the n8n service, for example:
volumes:
- ./local-files:/files
Create a local-files folder beside your Compose file, put your input file there, then restart n8n. In the Read from Disk node, use a path such as /files/yourfile.xlsx. The /files path is the path inside the container.
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If you start n8n with docker run instead, the equivalent is a volume option like -v C:/Users/YourName/n8n-files:/files on Windows, or -v /home/yourname/n8n-files:/files on Linux. Make sure the file is actually inside the host folder being mapped, then reference it as /files/filename.pdf from n8n. This is normal Docker isolation rather than an n8n bug.
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The file is probably on your host computer, while n8n is looking inside the container. Docker containers have their own filesystem, so you need to bind-mount a folder from your computer into the n8n container. After that, place the spreadsheet or PDF in the mapped folder and use the container-side path in n8n, not the original path on your computer.
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MellowCedar42: Thanks, I’ll try creating the mapped folder and restarting the container.