� n8n If Node Mastery: 10 Practical Examples to Supercharge Conditional Workflows

D: The If node in n8n is your digital decision-maker 🤖, a powerful tool that brings conditional logic to your automations. Let’s dive deep into this game-changing node with practical examples you can implement today!

🔍 What Exactly is an If Node?

The If node evaluates conditions and routes your workflow based on true/false outcomes. Think of it as the “brain” 🧠 that makes your automation smart by adding decision-making capabilities.

// Basic If node structure
{
  "conditions": {
    "operation": "equal",
    "value1": "{{$node["PreviousNode"].json["key"]}}",
    "value2": "desiredValue"
  }
}

⚙️ How If Node Works: Core Mechanics

1. Input Evaluation: Analyzes incoming data
2. Condition Checking: Compares values using operators (equals, contains, etc.)
3. Path Routing: Sends data to different branches based on results

🌟 10 Powerful Real-World Examples

1. Email Filter System 📧

IF (Email.subject contains "URGENT") → Send to Manager
ELSE IF (Email.sender = "accounting@") → Forward to Finance Dept
ELSE → Archive

2. E-commerce Order Router 🛒

IF (Order.total > $500) → Flag for manual review
ELSE IF (Order.country = "International") → Route to Int'l shipping
ELSE → Process automatically

3. Social Media Moderator 🤖

IF (Post.text contains [bad words list]) → Send to quarantine
ELSE IF (Post.image = NSFW) → Notify admin
ELSE → Publish immediately

4. CRM Lead Qualifier 📈

IF (Lead.score > 75) → Assign to top sales rep
ELSE IF (Lead.company = "Fortune 500") → Route to enterprise team
ELSE → Add to nurture campaign

5. IoT Temperature Alert 🌡️

IF (Sensor.temp > 30°C) → Trigger AC + Send alert
ELSE IF (Sensor.temp  48h) → Escalate to supervisor
ELSE → Add to normal queue

7. Content Publishing Gateway 🖋️

IF (Post.author = "Editor") → Publish immediately
ELSE IF (Post.length > 2000 words) → Send for review
ELSE → Return for editing

8. Inventory Management 📦

IF (Stock.level < reorder_point) → Generate PO
ELSE IF (Stock.expiry  50}}

3. Add Default Paths: Always include an “ELSE” route for unhandled cases

4. Test Thoroughly: Use the “Test Step” feature to verify all possible outcomes

🚀 Advanced Techniques

• Nested If Nodes: Create decision trees by chaining multiple If nodes
• Data Transformation: Combine with Function nodes for pre-processing
• Error Handling: Route errors to specific troubleshooting paths

📊 Debugging Common Issues

1. Data Not Routing Correctly?

   • Check your condition syntax
   • Verify data types (string vs number)
   • Use console.log equivalent: {{$json}}

2. Conditions Too Complex?

   • Break into multiple If nodes
   • Consider using a Function node for logic

🔮 Future of Conditional Workflows

The If node is evolving with:

• AI-powered condition suggestions 🤖
• Visual condition builders 🎨
• Real-time debugging tools 🔍

� Final Thoughts

Mastering the If node transforms your automations from linear scripts to intelligent systems. Start with simple conditions and gradually build complexity as you gain confidence. Remember – every great automation begins with a single “if”!

Which conditional workflow will you build first? 🚀 Share your use cases in the comments!