# n8n Split Out Node Examples: One List, Many Items

> How the n8n Split Out node turns a list inside one item into separate items, the path for AI JSON output, the "o" field error and examples.

Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/n8n-split-out-node-examples · Updated 2026-10-20 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com)

Quick answer

The n8n [Split Out node](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/split-out-node) takes a list that sits inside one item and turns each entry into its own item, so a meeting with four tasks becomes four items, and four sheet rows. You set **Fields To Split Out** to the path of the list, such as `output[0].content[0].text.tasks` for [OpenAI](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/openai)'s [JSON](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/json) output. The free [n8n meeting notes to action items](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/meeting-notes-to-action-items-google-sheets-ai-n8n) lesson uses it to turn two meetings into seven tasks.

Last updated October 20, 2026

[Take the free module →](https://learn.ynteractive.com/courses/ai-for-operations/12)Module 12 of the free [AI for Operations Teams](https://learn.ynteractive.com/courses/ai-for-operations) course, about 15 minutes. No account needed.

By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) · Published October 20, 2026 · Updated October 20, 2026 · 4 min read

n8n · Split Out · Data mapping

## Why do I need Split Out?

n8n runs each node once per [item](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/item). If one item holds a list of seven tasks, the next node still sees one item, and a sheet node would write one row.

In the lesson, **Message a model** returns **2 items**, one per meeting. Each holds a list called **tasks**: 4 for the first meeting and 3 for the second. Each meeting is still one item that holds a list, and that's what Split Out fixes. The glossary has a short [Split Out node](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/split-out-node) entry.

## How do I set up Split Out?

Add it after the node that returns the list, then give it the path to that list.

1. Click the **+** after **Message a model**, type **Split Out** and click it. It has no sub-menu, so it opens straight away.
2. Click **Fields To Split Out** and type the path: `output[0].content[0].text.tasks`. In n8n you can instead drag **tasks** from the left panel.
3. Click **Execute step**. The OUTPUT shows **7 items**, each with **task**, **owner** and **due**.

Two meetings became seven rows of work, and the Google Sheets **Append row in sheet** node after it writes one row per task.

## How do I find the right path?

Look at the input on the left and follow the nesting from the top down, joining names with dots and using `[0]` for the first entry of a list.

| Data shape | Fields To Split Out |
| --- | --- |
| OpenAI Message a model with JSON output | `output[0].content[0].text.tasks` |
| A webhook that posts `{ "items": [...] }` | `body.items` |
| An Information Extractor with a list field | `output.line_items` |
| An HTTP response with `results` | `results` |
| A search API with `shopping_results` | `shopping_results` |

Dragging the field from the INPUT panel writes the path for you, which avoids typos.

## What does the "o" field error mean?

If you see an error about a field called "o", n8n ran the node while the path was half typed: it tried to split a field named "o", the first letter of "output". Click **Execute step** again once the full path is in. The lesson calls this out because it is easy to click too early.

## What about other split errors?

- **The field isn't a list.** If the path points at text, the AI probably returned JSON as plain text. In the lesson, setting the OpenAI node's **Output Format** to **JSON Object** makes n8n parse the answer so tasks arrives as a real list. See [n8n OpenAI JSON Output](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/n8n-openai-json-output).
- **The field doesn't exist on some items.** One meeting with no tasks may return no list. Check the AI's output for every item.

## Try it free, step by step

**n8n: Turn Meeting Notes into Action Items in a Google Sheet**. Build an n8n workflow that reads your meeting notes from a sheet, has AI pull out who agreed to do what by when, and adds one row per task to an Action Items sheet. You do every step yourself in a practice copy of n8n, it checks your work as you go, and “Do it for me” finishes any step you get stuck on. Free, and nothing touches your real accounts.

[Start the free lesson](https://learn.ynteractive.com/modules/n8n-meeting-notes-tasks)

[Or read the full step-by-step guide](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/meeting-notes-to-action-items-google-sheets-ai-n8n)

## Can I keep fields from the parent item?

Yes. Under **Include**, choose to keep other fields or selected fields, so each split item can still carry, say, the meeting name. Without it, each new item only has the fields from the list entry.

## Is there a way to skip Split Out?

If the list comes from somewhere you control, you can produce one item per entry from the start. In the [Meeting to Action lesson](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/meeting-notes-to-action-items-sheet-and-deck-chatgpt-n8n-gamma), ChatGPT returns a JSON array that you paste as mock data, and n8n makes one item per object directly: **4 items**, no Split Out needed.

## Key takeaways

- Split Out turns a list inside one item into separate items.
- Fields To Split Out is the path to the list, like output[0].content[0].text.tasks.
- An error about a field called "o" means you ran it before the path was complete.
- The list must be real JSON, so set the AI's output format to JSON.

## Frequently asked questions

**What does the Split Out node do in n8n?**

It takes an array field from each incoming item and outputs one item per array entry, so later nodes run once per entry.

**What is the difference between Split Out and Loop Over Items?**

Split Out creates more items from a list. Loop Over Items processes existing items in batches. Most office workflows only need Split Out, because n8n already runs nodes once per item.

**Why does Split Out say the field is not an array?**

The value at that path is text or an object, not a list. Usually the AI answer wasn't parsed as JSON, or the path stops one level too early.

**Which course is this in?**

[AI for Operations Teams](https://learn.ynteractive.com/courses/ai-for-operations) and [AI for Meetings](https://learn.ynteractive.com/courses/ai-for-meetings).

## Free lessons in this post

- [n8n: Turn Meeting Notes into Action Items in a Google Sheet](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/meeting-notes-to-action-items-google-sheets-ai-n8n): Build an n8n workflow that reads your meeting notes from a sheet, has AI pull out who agreed to do what by when, and adds one row per task to an Action Items sheet.
- [Meeting to Action: Recap, Tracker Rows and a Kickoff Deck (ChatGPT, n8n, Gamma)](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/meeting-notes-to-action-items-sheet-and-deck-chatgpt-n8n-gamma): Turn rough meeting notes into a checked recap in ChatGPT, four action-item rows in a Google Sheet through n8n, and a five-slide kickoff deck in Gamma.

## Watch it in a free lesson: Build an n8n AI Agent That Writes Deal Follow-Ups

### AI Deal Follow-Up Agent: video walkthrough

Full walkthrough · 7:57 · with captions

Build an AI agent for Northwind Scheduling Software that writes follow-up messages for your open deals and saves them to Google Sheets — chat trigger, AI Agent, system prompt, model, memory, and the Sheets tool. The whole lesson narrated step by step, recorded in Stepthrough’s simulated practice environment.

[Watch it with chapters and the full transcript](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/n8n-ai-agent-sales-deal-follow-ups#watch)

From the free lesson [Build an n8n AI Agent That Writes Deal Follow-Ups](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/n8n-ai-agent-sales-deal-follow-ups)

## Related terms

Plain-English definitions, each with an example from a free lesson.

[Split Out node](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/split-out-node) · [OpenAI](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/openai) · [JSON](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/json) · [Coda](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/coda) · [JSON array](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/json-array) · [Manual trigger](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/manual-trigger) · [Miro](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/miro) · [Structured Output Parser (n8n)](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/structured-output-parser)

[The full AI glossary](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary)

## Keep reading

- [n8n Google Sheets Errors: Sheet Not Found and 5 More](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/n8n-google-sheets-errors): Fix n8n Google Sheets errors: "Sheet with ID gid=0 not found", "At least one value has to be added under Values to Send", permissions and columns.
- [Meeting Notes to CRM with AI: 12 Questions Answered](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/automate-meeting-notes-to-crm-with-ai-faq): How to get CRM deal notes from a call transcript, why "Not stated" beats a guess, how n8n turns notes into task rows and how a note reaches a CRM.
- [n8n Google Sheets Node Cheat Sheet: Get, Append, Update](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/n8n-google-sheets-node-cheat-sheet): Every n8n Google Sheets operation on one page: Get row(s), Append row, Append or update row, Update row, Column to match on and Map Automatically.

[All blog posts](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog) · [All free tutorials](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content)