Why Does the MS OneDrive Node Search Operation Return an Empty Result?

Below is some guidance based on known behavior with the OneDrive node in n8n:

Key Points to Consider

• Search Query Behavior:
  The search operation in the Microsoft OneDrive node uses the OneDrive API’s search endpoint. When an empty or wildcard query is provided, it might not return any results because the API may not interpret an empty string as a wildcard. In some cases, the API expects a valid search string—even if it’s just a common character—to trigger a full search.

• Credentials and Account Context:
  Although you verified the connection with new credentials and can create files and folders, the user context (for example, whether the account’s files are indexed or not) can affect search results. Ensure you are aware of which OneDrive account is being used and that the files are located in a drive area accessible by that account.

• Use of Folder IDs:
  If you’re trying to search within a specific folder, confirm that you are using the correct folder identifier. For file operations that require a folder ID (such as searching within a folder), you may consider first retrieving the folder’s ID using the “Get Children” operation or by checking the URL when browsing OneDrive.

Workarounds and Next Steps

• Provide a Specific Query:
  Instead of leaving the query field empty, try using a common letter or part of the file/folder name (for example, “a”) to see if results return. This can help confirm whether the API is responding to search text.

• Alternative Operations:
  If your goal is to list items in a folder rather than perform a free-text search, consider using the “Get Children” operation on a specific folder. Once you have the list of items, you can apply further filtering in your workflow.

• Check for Updates:
  Since your n8n version is 1.69.2, it may be worth checking if there is a later version or if any updates have been published regarding the OneDrive node functionality. The behavior may have been improved or documented further in a newer release.

• Community and Issue Tracking:
  Although an earlier community thread was closed without a resolution, you may want to review that discussion for any temporary workarounds or contact n8n support if the issue persists in your environment.

Summary

The empty results you’re experiencing when using the search operation in the MS OneDrive node are likely due to how OneDrive’s search API interprets empty or wildcard queries. By providing a non-empty query, checking that you’re searching within the correct folder context, or using alternative operations like “Get Children,” you can work around the issue. Additionally, verifying that you’re on the latest n8n release may help if any improvements have been made.

Feel free to ask if you need more help with specific configuration steps!