n8n-expression-syntax

1# n8n Expression Syntax
2 
3Expert guide for writing correct n8n expressions in workflows.
4 
5---
6 
7## Expression Format
8 
9All dynamic content in n8n uses **double curly braces**:
10 
11```
12{{expression}}
13```
14 
15**Examples**:
16```
17✅ {{$json.email}}
18✅ {{$json.body.name}}
19✅ {{$node["HTTP Request"].json.data}}
20❌ $json.email  (no braces - treated as literal text)
21❌ {$json.email}  (single braces - invalid)
22```
23 
24---
25 
26## Core Variables
27 
28### $json - Current Node Output
29 
30Access data from the current node:
31 
32```javascript
33{{$json.fieldName}}
34{{$json['field with spaces']}}
35{{$json.nested.property}}
36{{$json.items[0].name}}
37```
38 
39### $node - Reference Other Nodes
40 
41Access data from any previous node:
42 
43```javascript
44{{$node["Node Name"].json.fieldName}}
45{{$node["HTTP Request"].json.data}}
46{{$node["Webhook"].json.body.email}}
47```
48 
49**Important**:
50- Node names **must** be in quotes
51- Node names are **case-sensitive**
52- Must match exact node name from workflow
53 
54### $now - Current Timestamp
55 
56Access current date/time:
57 
58```javascript
59{{$now}}
60{{$now.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd')}}
61{{$now.toFormat('HH:mm:ss')}}
62{{$now.plus({days: 7})}}
63```
64 
65### $env - Environment Variables
66 
67Access environment variables:
68 
69```javascript
70{{$env.API_KEY}}
71{{$env.DATABASE_URL}}
72```
73 
74**Warning**: Some n8n instances have `N8N_BLOCK_ENV_ACCESS_IN_NODE` enabled, which blocks `$env` access entirely. If `$env` returns errors, use alternative approaches:
75- Store values in credentials instead
76- Use a Set node with manually entered values
77…