> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.ezbiocloud.net/home/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.ezbiocloud.net/home/protocols/shotgun-microbiome/describe-profiles/retrieve-metadata.md).

# Retrieve Metadata

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are working with your own dataset, then you can skip this step. Go to Organise Metadata to add your own fields.
{% endhint %}

## Locate Metadata

Locate where the metadata is stored. Generally, there will be a section in published papers that describes the location of datasets and associated metadata. 

<figure><img src="/files/t51G8qaFhU2REa2m9DCP" alt=""><figcaption><p>Selecting the underlined BioProject ID, PRJNA834801, will link you directly to the NCBI BioProject page. </p></figcaption></figure>

## Navigate NCBI&#x20;

Under Related Information, select SRA to open up the Sequence Read Archive of the associated BioProject.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/pdzbMaF3z5HT32JJgdsO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Send Results to Run Selector

Under Summary, select 'Send results to Run selector'.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/tVI4xh1qicLMPAtlVcMN" alt=""><figcaption><p>All SRA accessions in the BioProject are displayed here. </p></figcaption></figure>

## Locate the Runs

Scroll down to see the SRA runs from the BioProject. You can download all the run metadata by selecting Metadata in the 'Total' row.&#x20;

For this demonstration, we will download a subset of metadata that matches the run files we just downloaded from the 'Selected' row.&#x20;

## Select Runs

Select the 20 runs from the example subset. For a reminder, below is the accession list.

{% file src="/files/rvfzGBlgtNrC7tDN191O" %}

<figure><img src="/files/loO0BHAjm461Dvk1hxQq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Download Metadata

Using our subset of 20 runs, download the metadata by choosing 'Selected' and pressing the 'Metadata' button.

<figure><img src="/files/gsfF3aYPY5KMJdjuIiRJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Locate the Downloaded Metadata

A file called sraruntable.txt will be saved in your Downloads folder. I renamed this to subset\_metadata.csv for clarity and functionality.

{% file src="/files/kakW3iR72Upe8gHRay4E" %}