[Gmail] List Drafts
The [Gmail] List Drafts block retrieves draft emails from a connected Gmail account and makes that data available for use in a workflow.
List drafts from a connected Gmail account
The [Gmail] List Drafts block retrieves draft emails from a connected Gmail account and makes that data available for use in a workflow. It connects to Gmail via a Google OAuth connection and returns a list of drafts, each containing fields like the draft ID, message ID, subject line, recipient address, and a short snippet of the message body.
The block accepts a limit parameter that controls how many drafts are returned, with a default of 10 and a maximum of 50. Results are stored in a variable you specify, and you can choose whether that variable receives the data as JSON or as plain text depending on what downstream blocks in your workflow expect.
This block fits into workflows that need to inspect, process, or act on unsent email content — for example, reviewing drafts before sending, auditing draft queues, or feeding draft content into an AI block for analysis or editing. It works alongside other Gmail blocks or general-purpose workflow blocks that consume structured email data.
What you can build
Real-world workflows powered by the [Gmail] List Drafts block.
Draft Review Before Sending
Retrieve pending drafts and route them through an AI block to check tone, grammar, or compliance before a human approves sending.
Draft Queue Monitoring
Periodically list drafts to detect emails that have been sitting unsent for too long and trigger a notification or escalation.
AI-Assisted Draft Editing
Pull draft content into a workflow that uses an AI block to rewrite, summarize, or improve the message before it is finalized.
Draft Audit Logging
List all current drafts and store their metadata in a database or spreadsheet for record-keeping and audit trail purposes.
Recipient Validation Workflow
Extract the recipient addresses from listed drafts and cross-reference them against an approved contacts list before allowing the email to be sent.
Draft Content Reporting
Aggregate draft subjects and snippets into a summary report that gives a team visibility into outgoing communications in progress.
Ready to add [Gmail] List Drafts to your workflow?
Get Started FreeCommon questions about [Gmail] List Drafts
What are the required parameters for this block?
The block requires a Google OAuth connection ID to authenticate with Gmail. The limit, destination variable, and export type fields are optional, with limit defaulting to 10 if not specified.
What does the block return?
The block returns an array of draft objects. Each object includes a draftId, messageId, subject, to (recipient address), and a snippet of the message body.
How many drafts can the block retrieve at once?
The block returns up to 50 drafts per call. The default is 10 if no limit is specified.
What is the difference between the JSON and text export types?
When exportType is set to 'json', the destination variable receives the results as a structured JSON object. When set to 'text', the results are stored as a plain text string. The choice depends on how downstream blocks in your workflow consume the data.
What kinds of workflows commonly use this block?
This block is commonly used in workflows that review, audit, or process unsent emails — such as pre-send AI review pipelines, draft monitoring automations, or reporting workflows that summarize outgoing email activity.
Related capabilities
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[Google] Create Google Sheet
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[Google] Update Google Sheet
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[Google] Fetch Google Sheet
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Add [Gmail] List Drafts to your workflow
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