This guide walks you through how to create, configure, run, and download results from a Download Patrols Workflow in Ecoscope.

This workflow type is designed to export Patrol data from your connected EarthRanger data source. Results are available in CSV or Parquet format, making it easy to use the data in external tools or for further analysis.

This workflow type is available both on Ecoscope Web and on Ecoscope Desktop (v1.0.0 and newer). Salient differences, when applicable, are called out below. 

Results Dashboard

When a workflow runs successfully, the Results Screen May Display (depending on configuration):

• Context Panel: A summary of your workflow configuration, including the title, description, time range, and time zone used.
• Dashboard Tab:  described below
• Files Tab:  described below

Dashboard Tab

This tab is visually and functionally identical on Cloud and Desktop.

The Dashboard Tab May Display (depending on configuration):

• Patrols Map: A spatial view of Patrol trajectories plotted on a map, color-coded by the category selected during configuration (e.g., Patrol Subject).

Files Tab

This tab has subtle visual and behavioral differences on Cloud and Desktop. See below for details.

Ecoscope Web

The Dashboard Tab May Display (depending on configuration):

• List of Downloadable Files: A table list of downloadable files for the exported Patrol data. You can click on the download icon on any row to save that file to your computer.

Note that the download links on the cloud stay valid for 20 minutes (from when the Files tab loads) to keep your data secure. You're able to start the download at any point before the 20 minutes expire. If you stay on this screen for more than 20 minutes, you will see a button that asks you to Refresh the download links. If you refresh your browser while on the Files tab, the 20 minute timer restarts with new links for the same files. 

If your dashboard has multiple Views selectable from the Context Panel, then changing to a new view will update the Files tab to show you downloadable files associated with that View.

Ecoscope Desktop

The Dashboard Tab May Display (depending on configuration):

• Open Results Folder: A button at the top right of the dashboard to download your exported data files.
• List of Downloadable Files: A table list of downloadable files for the exported Patrol data. You can click on the download icon on any row to save that file to a folder of your choice.

Note that the download links on the desktop do not expire as the files already exist on your hard drive.

If your dashboard has multiple Views selectable from the Context Panel, then changing to a new view will update the Files tab to show you downloadable files associated with that View.

Before You Begin

This workflow is available on both Ecoscope Web and on Ecoscope Desktop. 

On Ecoscope Web, it is available by default on the workflow template library for all users.

On Ecoscope Desktop, it 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 Patrols 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 Patrols 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.

Patrol and Event Types

Use this section to specify which Patrol Types and Event Types are included in the export.

Patrol Types
Enter the Patrol Type value(s) you want to include in the output — one per field (e.g. ecoscope_patrol).

• Leave this section empty to include all Patrol Types.
• Patrol Type values can be found in your EarthRanger Admin site under Activity → Patrol Types.

Event Types
Enter the Event Type value(s) you want to include in the output — one per field (e.g. wildlife_sighting_rep).

• Leave this section empty to include all Event Types.
• Event Type values can be found in your EarthRanger Admin site under Activity → Event Types.
   

Include Events Without a Geometry

The option Include Events Without a Geometry (point or polygon) is enabled by default. Uncheck this if you only want to export Events that have a spatial location recorded.

Process Patrol Observations

This section allows you to apply filters and transformations to Patrol observation data before it is exported. All subsections are under Advanced Configurations and are optional.

Process Patrol Events

This section allows you to apply filters to Patrol Event data before it is exported. All options are under Advanced Configurations and are optional.

Persist Patrol Trajectories

Select the output format for your exported Patrol trajectory data. You can select one or more:

• CSV – Human-readable format, compatible with spreadsheet tools.
• Parquet – Compressed columnar format, ideal for large datasets and programmatic use.
• GPKG (GeoPackage) – An open, standards-based geospatial format compatible with GIS tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS.
• GeoParquet – A geospatial extension of Parquet, optimized for large spatial datasets with native geometry support.

Choose Parquet or GeoParquet when working with large volumes of data to significantly reduce file size and processing time. Choose GPKG when you need a format compatible with GIS tools.

Persist Patrol Events

Select the output format for your exported Patrol Events data. You can select one or more:

• CSV – Human-readable format, compatible with spreadsheet tools.
• Parquet – Compressed columnar format, ideal for large datasets and programmatic use.
• GPKG (GeoPackage) – An open, standards-based geospatial format compatible with GIS tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS.
• GeoParquet – A geospatial extension of Parquet, optimized for large spatial datasets with native geometry support.

Note: Patrol trajectory data and Patrol Event data are exported as separate files. You can select a different format for each if needed.

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. Disabling map generation will result in the Dashboard tab being empty.

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) from the Files tab
• Review the record count and export summary
• Explore the map panel showing Patrol tracks, if you did not enable Skip Map