This guide walks you through how to create, configure, run, and download results from a Download Subject Tracks Workflow in Ecoscope.
This workflow type is designed to export detailed Subject data — including location history and tracking attributes — from your connected EarthRanger data source. Results are available in CSV or Parquet format for use in external analysis tools.
Results Dashboard
When a Download Subject Tracks Workflow is successfully run, it produces a results dashboard with a summary of the configuration and a map of the exported Subject trajectories.
Note: If your dataset is large, consider enabling the Skip Map option during configuration. Skipping the map significantly reduces processing time without affecting the completeness of your data export.
The Results View May Display (depending on configuration):
- Download Results: A button at the top right of the dashboard to download your exported data file.
- Context Panel: A summary of your workflow configuration, including the title, description, time range, and time zone used.
- Subject Trajectories Map: A spatial view of Subject tracks plotted on a map.
Before You Begin
This workflow is only available in Ecoscope Desktop and must be imported from the Workflow Template Catalog before it can be configured or run.
If you haven't done this yet, follow the steps in Adding Workflow Templates in Ecoscope Desktop to import the Download Subject Details Workflow into your instance. Once the template has been added, return to this article to continue.
Configure New Workflow
To create a new workflow, navigate to Workflow Templates from the top navigation bar and select Download Subject Tracks Workflow.
Workflow Details
This section allows you to name and describe your workflow so that it's easy to find and identify.
- Workflow Name: This must be unique. If you try to submit a name that has already been used, you'll receive a validation error.
- Workflow Description: This is optional. The description will be displayed on the results view to help you or your team remember the configuration context or purpose of the export.
Time Range
This section defines the time window of the data you want to export. The selected time range determines which Patrols will be pulled from your data source.
You will configure:
- Since – Start date and time
- Until – End date and time
- Timezone – Required to provide fidelity over precise time selection
Data Source
Select a data source from the dropdown.
If only one data source is configured, it will be selected automatically and you will be shown the Workflow Configuration page.
Note: You won't be able to proceed unless at least one data source has been connected.
Get Subject Group Observations from EarthRanger
Enter the exact name of the Subject Group you want to export observations for, as it appears in EarthRanger (e.g. Ecoscope).
- Subject Group names can be found in your EarthRanger Admin site under Observations → Subject groups.
- This field is required. The workflow will not run without a valid Subject Group name.
Process Observations
This section allows you to apply filters and transformations to Subject observation data before it is exported. The data available here includes all columns from the previous steps plus the normalized Subject and observation details. All subsections are under Advanced Configurations and are optional.
Persist Subject Trajectories
Select the output format for your exported Subject trajectory data. You can select one or both:
- CSV – Human-readable format, compatible with spreadsheet tools.
- Parquet – Compressed columnar format, ideal for large datasets and programmatic use.
Choose Parquet when working with large volumes of data or when using tools that support it, to significantly reduce file size and processing time.
Generate Maps
Enable Skip Map to run the workflow without generating a spatial map of the Patrol tracks.
Skipping the map is recommended when:
- Your dataset is large
- You only need the data file and not a visual output
- You want to minimize processing time
Disabling the map does not affect the completeness of the exported data.
Run the Workflow
After submission, you'll be returned to the My Workflows view. Your new workflow will appear in the list with:
- Status: Ready
- No values yet for Last Run Start or Last Run Duration
- A Run button will be available
Click Run to begin processing. The status will change to Running.
Note: Processing time depends on the data volume and output format. Most workflows complete within one minute. Some workflows may take up to 10 minutes for very large datasets.
If the workflow fails, it will show a Failed status. Refer to Known Errors and Solutions in case this happens to you.
View and Download Results
Once the workflow finishes successfully (status: Success), click on the workflow name to open the results view.
You can now:
- Download the exported file in your selected format (CSV or Parquet)
- Review the record count and export summary
- Explore the map panel showing Patrol tracks, if you did not enable Skip Map