> 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/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.compression.md).

# Compression

Use the Compression node to compress and decompress files. Supports Zip, Gzip, Tar, and Tar.gz formats.

## Node parameters <a href="#node-parameters" id="node-parameters"></a>

{% hint style="info" %}
**This node can be used as an AI tool**

This node can be used to enhance the capabilities of an AI agent. When used in this way, many parameters can be set automatically, or with information directed by AI - find out more in the [AI tool parameters documentation](/build/integrate-ai/ai-examples/use-ai-for-parameters.md).
{% endhint %}

The node parameters depend on which **Operation** you select. Choose to:

* **Compress**: Create a compressed file from your input data.
* **Decompress**: Decompress an existing compressed file.

Refer to the sections below for parameters specific to each **Operation**.

### Compress <a href="#compress" id="compress"></a>

* **Input Binary Field(s)**: Enter the name of the fields in the input data that contain the binary files you want to compress. To compress more than one file, use a comma-separated list.
* **Output Format**: Choose whether to format the compressed output as **Zip**, **Gzip**, **Tar**, or **Tar (Gzip)**.
* **File Name**: Enter the name of the compressed file the node creates.
* **Put Output File in Field**: Enter the name of the field in the output data to contain the file.

### Decompress <a href="#decompress" id="decompress"></a>

The Decompress operation detects the archive format from the file extension and supports the following formats:

* `.zip`
* `.gz` and `.gzip`
* `.tar`
* `.tar.gz` and `.tgz`

When you decompress a `.tar.gz` or `.tgz` archive, the node extracts all member files in a single step. You don't need to decompress the gzip layer separately.

* **Input Binary Field(s)**: Enter the name of the fields in the input data that contain the binary files you want to decompress. To decompress more than one file, use a comma-separated list.
* **Output Prefix**: Enter a prefix to add to the output file name. The node uses this prefix, followed by an incrementing index, to name each extracted file.

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Unsupported formats

If you pass a file with an unsupported extension, the node throws an error instead of silently producing empty output. Supported formats are `zip`, `gzip`, `tar`, `tar.gz`, and `tgz`.
{% endhint %}

## Templates and examples <a href="#templates-and-examples" id="templates-and-examples"></a>

[Browse n8n-nodes-base.compression integration templates](https://n8n.io/integrations/compression) or [search all templates](https://n8n.io/workflows/)