Files¶

Raw data¶

Raw data, ie. spectral files produced by the analytical instrument are a requirement for publication of a MetaboLights study, preferably accompanied with an open source version of the files (eg. mzML, nmrML). Where an instrument file is not available it is acceptable to submit the open source file format only.

Each sample should have a corresponding raw data file, both of which should be referenced within the assay table. If providing Raw and Derived files it is recommended to organize files into appropriate folders before uploading (RAW_FILES and DERIVED_FILES), and if multiple assay tables are in use, files can be further divided into corresponding assay files.

Tip

Raw data will be published on FILES subfolder so RAW file and Derived files path always need to prefixed with 'FILES' on the assay sheets.

If you have raw data folders (d, .raw, or any NMR raw data folder), compress them individually.

Starting on 12th June 2025, MetaboLights will accept only raw/derived data files and compressed versions of raw/derived data folders (e.g. .d, .raw, or any NMR raw data folder). If your study includes raw data folders, please compress each folder individually using a ZIP utility before submission. A zip file containing multiple raw folders is not accepted.

Eg. File organisation for LC-MS study with positive & negative ionisation mode

Assay 1 : LC-MS positive mode assay

sample Name	...	MS Assay name	Raw Spectral Data File	...	Derived Spectral Data File
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/Sample1_File_name.mzML
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/RAW_FILES/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/DERIVED_FILES/Sample1_File_name.mzML
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/RAW_FILES/LCMS_pos/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/DERIVED_FILES/LCMS_pos/Sample1_File_name.mzML

Assay 2 : LC-MS negative mode assay

sample Name	...	MS Assay name	Raw Spectral Data File	...	Derived Spectral Data File
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/Sample1_File_name.mzML
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/RAW_FILES/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/DERIVED_FILES/Sample1_File_name.mzML
Sample1	...	Sample1	FILES/RAW_FILES/LCMS_neg/Sample1_File_name.raw	...	FILES/DERIVED_FILES/LCMS_neg/Sample1_File_name.mzML

Accepted file formats for raw data¶

Raw file formats: baf, cmp, d, dat, fid, hr, ibd, jpf, lcd, ms, ogd, peg, qgd, raw, ser, wiff + wiff.scan, xp

Derived file formats: abf, cdf, cef, cnx, dx, imzml, mgf, msp, mzml, mzxml, nmrml, peakml, smp, xlsx*, xml, xy

*not acceptable alone (must be accompanied with spectrum / chromatogram data)

Upload & Synchronisation¶

A primary requirement for a MetaboLights study is the inclusion of the raw and/or derived data. Files can be uploaded when first creating the study or at any stage prior to submitting a study for curation. The submitted data will be updated to the study in 2 steps.

Uploading to FTP folder
Indexing FTP folder content

Uploading to FTP folder¶

There are 2 ways to upload files to FTP. On the Files tab, click Upload and a pop-up box will show both the options.

1. Aspera connect plugin (recommended for small set of files)¶

Aspera is a plugin that is very simple to install in your browser. Select the Aspera Upload option and then Install the plugin. Aspera is a fast way of transferring files which also enables the user to stop the transfer, and later resume where you left off.

If you see raw data files in the final upload with .aspx appended, the file upload may have paused. Please open Aspera connect on your computer to check the status of your upload and resume upload if necessary. If the upload has completed you can delete the .aspx appended files or contact us to do so. (note) You may need to contact your local IT support if you do not have privileges to install browser plugins. Once the Aspera plugin is installed, you can upload files by clicking Aspera Upload and then Upload files from the pop-up window.

2. FTP (recommended for large set of files)¶

FTP can be used on any computer, either directly from the command line or through a graphical user interface. However, on most computers, you have to install an FTP client first. If you are not familiar with using FTP from the command line, we can recommend the free FileZilla tool.

You should have received two emails after study creation. One email provides the details about the FTP server and credentials. You can also get these details from the pop-up window by clicking Files tab -> Upload -> Private FTP Upload.

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Your details will be something like below.

user: \*\*\*\*
password: \*\*\*\*
server: ftp-private.ebi.ac.uk
remote folder: /prod/<private ftp folder name>

After installation of FileZilla, open and enter the FTP connection details. You need to enter Host, Username and Password to connect to the FTP server. Once connected you will not be able to browse the folder, you need to copy paste the remote folder path in Remote site text box and press enter, then your FTP folder will be browsable on the right side.

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Once the upload folder is opened and browsable, you will be able to drag & drop files from your local system (left side) to the FTP folder (right side).

Indexing FTP folder content¶

After successfully uploading files (Aspera or FTP), they still need to be indexed (the directory that is eventually made public). This is done through the Files tab in the MetaboLights Editor.

When you scroll down, you will see two boxes like below.

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Files on MetaboLights are stored as two types - Metadata files or Data files. Metadata files are ISA tabular files such as i_Investigation.txt, s_MTBLSxxx.txt, a_MTBLSxxx.txt and m_MTBLSxxx_maf.tsv. Data files are RAW_FILES and/or DERIVED_FILES produced from the analytical instrument. There are two boxes to allow the submitter to synchronise metadata files and index data files separately.

Start Metadata Synchronisation¶

After clicking Start Synchronisation, files will be synced to the study folder. It may take seconds, minutes or longer to complete. It will depend on the number and size of files. Once synchronisation is done, the status will change like below. Files will show in the MetaboLights Editor after clicking the Refresh *button.*

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Index Data FIles¶

After clicking Start Synchronisation, files will be synced to the study folder. It may take seconds, minutes or longer to complete. It will depend on the number and size of files. Once synchronisation is done, the status will change like below. Files will show in the MetaboLights Editor after clicking the Refresh *button.*

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Download¶

1. Download metadata files from the online editor¶

On the Files tab, click blue cloud icons to download individual files or grey cloud icon to download multiple files.

1. Download metadata files using MetaboLights API¶

You can view/download metadata files by using our web service: typing https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/ws/studies/<studyid\>/<filename> to your browser address bar.

3. Download with FTP and Aspera clients¶

On the Files tab, click Browse Files to open a new tab to show study files content from FTP public. If you click FTP Download, that will open Explorer with study files FTP public path (Assuming you are using a Mac). If you click Aspera Download, study files can be downloaded using Aspera tool - Download files button (Assuming you have installed Aspera plugin on your browser).

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Note

All public studies can be downloaded from our public FTP site.

FTP server ftp.ebi.ac.uk
Directory: /pub/databases/metabolights/studies/public/

You would need a FTP client software like Filezilla to access and download. Each public study can be found in the corresponding MTBLS-id folder.

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4. Download with Globus¶

Globus provides a more user-friendly, feature-rich directory interface for interacting with the FTP server.The public study Files can be downloaded through our Globus Endpoint 'EMBL-EBI Public Data' and the subfolders of the path ‘/pub/databases/metabolights/studies/public/’

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Note

You can download metadata files using MetaboLights Editor or API. If you want to download data files, you MUST use FTP, Aspera or Globus clients.