Automated Email Replies with GPT-4o, Outlook, and GoToHuman Approval

Description

This n8n workflow reads emails from your Outlook inbox, drafts AI-powered replies using OpenAI, and routes them through the gotoHuman node for human approval before replying automatically.

✅ Key Features

Reads Outlook emails** from today only (excluding those from your own address).
AI-generated replies** crafted using OpenAI based on the subject and body of the email.
Community node integration**: Uses the gotoHuman node for human review and approval of replies before sending.
Safe sending**: Only approved responses are automatically sent back via Outlook.
Expandable**: Can be easily modified to:
Send drafts instead of full replies
Include additional email filters
Trigger at intervals or via webhook

🧠 Nodes Used

Microsoft Outlook – Fetch and reply to emails
OpenAI – Generates smart reply text
gotoHuman – Human-in-the-loop approval system
Loop Over Items, IF, Code, and Set nodes for processing logic
Manual Trigger – For testing

🔧 Setup Instructions

1. Connect APIs
Outlook OAuth2**:
Go to Azure Portal
Register an app
Add Mail.Read, Mail.Send scopes
Set redirect URI: https://api.n8n.cloud/oauth2-credential/callback
Paste credentials in n8n credential manager

OpenAI API**:
Create account at OpenAI
Create an API Key
Add it to n8n credentials

gotoHuman API**:
Go to https://gotoHuman.ai and sign in
Create a review template (e.g., “Email Responses”)
Copy the Template ID and API key into n8n credentials

🪜 Workflow Steps Overview

1. Trigger
Use the Manual Trigger to test or schedule execution with a cron node.

2. Filter Emails from Today
A Code node outputs today's date in the proper yyyy-mm-dd format.

const today = new Date();
today.setHours(0, 0, 0, 0);
return [{ json: { searchQuery: received:${today.toISOString().split('T')[0]} } }];

3. Search and Filter Outlook Messages
Uses the Outlook node with a search query like:
received:2025-08-06 -from:[email protected] (Update to your email)

4. Generate AI Response
Text prompt to OpenAI:
subject: {{ $json.subject }}
body: {{ $json.body.content }}

System prompt:
> You are a personal assistant helping respond to emails. I am an AI automation expert specializing in helping small and medium-size businesses automate processes. Create a short response to the email. Sign the email as Robert Breen.

5. Review with gotoHuman
Submit AI output for human approval using the gotoHuman node.
The output schema should match the Review Template fields (e.g., "email", "OriginalEmail").

6. IF Node Decision
If status is approved, send reply
If not, return to loop for revision or skip

✏️ Customization Ideas

✉️ Send only drafts by skipping the "reply" step and storing results.
🕒 Schedule the workflow with a Cron trigger for automation.
🔎 Add label filters or subject keywords for advanced targeting.

🔗 External Links

gotoHuman Community Node
OpenAI
Microsoft Outlook API Setup

💬 Need More Help?

If you'd like help customizing this or building similar automations, reach out:

Robert Breen
AI & Automation Consultant
🌐 https://ynteractive.com
📧 [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn