ActionGoogle DriveUpdated May 2026
How do I delete a Google Drive file?
Short answer: Drop the "Google Drive → Delete File" action anywhere in your workflow, map the inputs from upstream nodes, and publish.
Inputs
The fields this action accepts.
Every field can be mapped from an upstream trigger, AI step, table row, or hard-coded literal.
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
File ID file_id | string | Required | The unique identifier of the file or folder to delete |
Sample request
{"file_id": "e.g. 1BxiMVs0XRA5nFMdKvBdBZjgmUUqptlbs74OgVE2upms"}
Returns
{"success": true,"deleted_file_id": "1BxiMVs0XRA5nFMdKvBdBZjgmUUqptlbs74OgVE2upms"}
Use these fields in downstream nodes for routing, logging, or error handling.
Triggered by
Apps that pair well as the trigger for Delete File.
Any of these apps can fire this action as part of a workflow.
FAQ
Questions about Delete File.
What does the Delete File action do in Google Drive?
Permanently deletes a file or folder from Google Drive. Bypasses the trash; use Update File with trashed=true for the recoverable version.
What inputs does Delete File require?
Required: File ID. Every input accepts a static value or a variable from any upstream node in your workflow.
Can I use dynamic inputs from earlier workflow nodes?
Yes. Any field on this action can pull values from upstream nodes, whether that's a form response, a trigger payload, an AI output, or a lookup result.
What happens if Google Drive returns an error?
The workflow pauses on the failed node, the error message is captured in the run log, and you can retry the run with one click. Auto-retry policies are configurable per workflow with exponential backoff up to 5 attempts.
Does Delete File support batch operations?
Yes. Run Delete File inside a Loop node to process arrays. Tiny Command handles Google Drive's rate limits automatically so you don't have to throttle manually.
More actions
Other Google Drive actions.
Action
Copy File
Creates a copy of a file in Google Drive, optionally into a different folder and with a new name. Standard pattern for template-doc-per-customer flows.
ActionCreate Folder
Creates a new folder in Google Drive, optionally inside a parent folder. Used in onboarding workflows that auto-provision a workspace per customer.
ActionGet File
Returns metadata for a specific Google Drive file or folder by ID: name, mimeType, parents, modifiedTime, size, and webViewLink. The standard read after a trigger fires with an ID.
ActionList Files
Lists files and folders from Google Drive with optional Drive query (q parameter). Use to enumerate everything in a folder or to find files by name/mimeType.
ActionMove File
Moves a file or folder to a different parent in Google Drive. Implemented as add new parent + remove old parent under the hood.
ActionSearch Files
Searches files and folders in Google Drive by name (uses a contains-match on the name field). For advanced queries, use List Files with a custom Drive q parameter.
Send delete file from your workflows.
Triggered by anything in the catalog. Free tier available. No credit card.
