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Directus (DrWade)

Consume Directus API

Overview

The Directus (DrWade) - Files: Get operation retrieves detailed information about a specific file stored in a Directus instance, using its unique ID. This node is useful when you need to fetch metadata or details of a file that has been uploaded to Directus, such as for displaying file information, validating file existence, or integrating file data into other workflow steps.

Practical scenarios:

  • Fetching file metadata (e.g., name, type, size, upload date) for display in dashboards.
  • Validating the presence and properties of a file before processing or sharing.
  • Integrating file details into automated document management or approval workflows.

Properties

Name Type Meaning
ID String Unique ID of the file object in Directus. Required to identify which file's details to retrieve.

Output

The output will be a single item with a json field containing the file's metadata as returned by the Directus API. The structure typically includes fields such as:

{
  "id": "string",
  "storage": "string",
  "filename_disk": "string",
  "filename_download": "string",
  "title": "string",
  "type": "string",
  "folder": "string",
  "uploaded_by": "string",
  "uploaded_on": "string",
  "modified_by": "string",
  "modified_on": "string",
  "charset": "string",
  "filesize": number,
  "width": number,
  "height": number,
  "duration": number,
  "embed": "string",
  "description": "string",
  "location": "string",
  "tags": ["string"],
  "metadata": { /* ... */ }
}

Note: The actual fields may vary depending on your Directus setup and file type.

  • No binary data is returned by this operation; only metadata is provided.

Dependencies

  • Directus API: You must have access to a running Directus instance.
  • API Credentials: The node requires valid Directus API credentials (directusApi) configured in n8n.

Troubleshooting

  • Invalid or missing ID: If the provided file ID does not exist, the node will return an error indicating that the file was not found.
  • Authentication errors: If the API credentials are incorrect or lack permission to access files, you may receive authentication or authorization errors.
  • Connection issues: Network problems or incorrect Directus API URLs can result in connection errors.

Common error messages:

  • "File not found": Check that the ID is correct and the file exists in Directus.
  • "Unauthorized" or "Forbidden": Verify your API credentials and permissions.
  • "Network Error": Ensure the Directus instance is reachable from your n8n environment.

Links and References

Discussion