Turn receipt photos into expense rows (n8n)
Text a receipt photo to a private bot, and the vendor, date, and total go into a sheet with the image saved.
n8nReceipt captureIntermediateHuman check: MediumTools
n8n: Telegram, OpenAI, Google Drive, Google Sheets
n8n: Telegram, OpenAI, Google Drive, Google Sheets
Time saved
~2-4 hrs/month (estimate)
~2-4 hrs/month (estimate)
Difficulty
Intermediate
Intermediate
Steps
- Telegram Trigger on Message, with Download Images on.
- OpenAI → Analyze Image: return JSON with merchant, date, total, tax, and category.
- Google Drive → Upload the image to
Receipts/YYYY-MM. - Google Sheets → Append Row with the fields and the Drive link.
- Telegram → Send Message back confirming what was captured.
Keep a human check here: Medium risk
Check the amount and the business purpose against the image before you reimburse or post anything.
Node and module names match n8n's docs as of Oct 2026. Apps rename triggers and actions sometimes, so check yours in the editor. Try it with test data or a sandbox company first.
Build it
[AFFILIATE LINK PLACEHOLDER: not live]
Try n8n. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no cost to you. Disclosure
Try n8n. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no cost to you. Disclosure
Related recipes
Forward receipt emails to Dext automatically (Zapier)
Gmail sends e-receipts to your Dext inbox address so they never get stuck in someone's inbox.
ZapierReceipt captureBeginnerHuman check: LowSaves ~1-2 hrs/month
Chase missing receipts for card spend (Make)
Every week, list card transactions that have no attachment and DM the cardholder.
MakeReceipt captureIntermediateHuman check: LowSaves ~2-3 hrs/month
One new finance automation recipe every week
Free. Tested workflows for QuickBooks, Xero, BILL, and more.
We'll ask you to confirm your email. Unsubscribe anytime.