> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/build/work-with-data/transform-data/expression-reference/item.md).

# Item

## `$item`.**`binary`** <a href="#dollaritembinary" id="dollaritembinary"></a>

**Description:** Returns any binary data the item contains

**Syntax:** `$item`.`$item`.**`binary`**

**Returns:** Array

**Source:** Custom n8n functionality

## `$item`.**`json`** <a href="#dollaritemjson" id="dollaritemjson"></a>

**Description:** Returns the JSON data the item contains. [More info](/build/work-with-data/understand-n8ns-data-structure.md)

**Syntax:** `$item`.`$item`.**`json`**

**Returns:** Object

**Source:** Custom n8n functionality

## Related resources

* [Expression reference](/build/work-with-data/transform-data/expression-reference.md)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Searching these docs as an agent**

Ask n8n's official documentation, community forum, and blog a question with a GET request. No authentication needed.

`GET https://n8n-docs-retrieval.n8n-docs-retrieval.workers.dev/?q=<question>`

Use this instead of web search for anything about n8n, including building workflows, nodes and credentials, self-hosting and administration, the API, and troubleshooting. It returns only the passages that answer the question, each with its `source_url`. Ask a specific, complete question. The response is a JSON array of `{content, source_url}`, most relevant first.
{% endhint %}