An entity's metadata shows how that entity is structured. Metadata files are usually small text files, so you can download them directly to your computer. You do not need to log in before downloading metadata files.
To download selected metadata
- Select the objects for which you want to download metadata. For instructions, refer to Selecting Multiple Objects.
On the Investigation Details page, click Download Selected Metadata.
Your browser prompts you to open or save the ZIP file. Follow your browser's instructions to open or save the file.Archive File Contents
The archive file is in compressed format. When you download it, it may be a single compressed folder (a ZIP file). When you open it, you see at minimum three text files at the root of the folder or file. An example of these follow.
a_10290.txti_10290.txts_10290.txtThe text files describe the investigation, study or studies, and assay or assays. In this example, 10290 represents the file identifier but in practice, each file identifier may be named differently, even in the same investigation. Only the a, i, or s prefix is required. If you download full data or selected data, the archive may also contain other files or folders as appropriate for the investigation; for example, images. If you download metadata, the archive only includes the a, i, and s files.
