What is an upsert?
Quick answer
An upsert, short for update or insert, is a single action that looks for a matching record and updates it if found, or adds a new record if not. The match is made on a field you choose, such as an email or an order number. In n8n's Google Sheets node it is called Append or Update Row.
Last updated
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Updated · By Robert Breen
Why it matters for a small business
Plain "add row" steps create duplicates as soon as the same person shows up twice, which happens with repeat form submissions, retries and re-runs. Plain "update" steps fail for anyone new. An upsert handles both cases in one step, so the sheet or CRM always holds one up-to-date record per person.
It is the easiest way to make a write step safe to repeat, the idea called idempotency. The only decision is the matching field: it must be unique and consistent, so an email works well and a name does not.
Where you'll use it: in n8n's Google Sheets node choose Append or Update Row and set Column to match on. Many CRM and database apps in n8n, Make and Zapier offer the same thing as Create or Update, or Find or Create, actions.
In a real lesson: n8n: Read, Add and Update Google Sheets Rows with an AI Step
In the free n8n Read, Add and Update Google Sheets lesson, Northgate Content Studio's request sheet has the columns Name, Email, Topic, Submitted and Description. You open Append or Update Row and pick Email as the column to match on.
The lesson spells out what that does: n8n looks for the email first. If it finds it, it updates that row; if not, it adds a new one, so running twice can never duplicate Jordan Lee. Later the AI step's sentences are written back into each matching row.
Try this lesson free or read the step-by-step guide.
Common confusions
Upsert vs append row
Append row always adds a new line at the bottom. An upsert checks first and only adds when there is no match.
Upsert vs remove duplicates
Removing duplicates drops repeated items before a step. An upsert makes the write step itself avoid doubles.
Tips
- Match on a field that never changes, such as an email or an ID.
- Keep the matching column's values clean, without stray spaces.
- Run the workflow twice in testing and check the row count.
Related terms
More Data, Sheets and Gmail terms
Where you use it: free lessons
- n8n: Read, Add and Update Google Sheets Rows with an AI Step (n8n, 12 min)
- n8n: Send Form Answers Straight to Google Sheets (n8n, 10 min)
- n8n: Turn Meeting Notes into Action Items in a Google Sheet (n8n, 15 min)
- Meeting to Action: Recap, Tracker Rows and a Kickoff Deck (ChatGPT, n8n, Gamma) (n8n, 14 min)
Frequently asked questions
- What does upsert stand for?
- It joins update and insert: update the record if it exists, insert it if it does not.
- What if two rows have the same email?
- The tool usually updates the first match it finds, so remove existing duplicates before relying on an upsert.