Template tasks are ready-to-use scraping tasks provided by Octoparse for popular websites with varying scraping needs. Popular template tasks for Amazon, Twitter, Google Maps, and other services can be found on the Octoparse homepage.
You can get the data extracted without setting up a task yourself, but you only need to follow the instructions and input the required parameters.
How to find your desired template task
There are three ways to access the Template Gallery page
Click the Templates icon on the Octoparse homepage or in the sidebar
Click the + New button in the sidebar, and choose Template mode
Search directly on the Home screen
How to use a Template Task
Search on the home page or go to the Template Gallery page
Choose a template
Click Try it!
Enter the parameters required
Click Start to start the task on your device or in the cloud
Or click Save as new task and move on to other templates and start this task later
The task created can be seen after you refresh the Dashboard.
Paid Templates
We have upgraded several of our templates to extra-paid ones due to the complexity of the extraction and the updating of anti-scraping techniques used by a number of websites.
You can check if a template is a paid one and how much it costs on:
Template Gallery page
Template details page
For those paid templates, you will need to have add-on credits in your account to run it.
Types of Template Tasks
Our template tasks cannot be edited by users. You may need to get in touch with us to make changes if you want to change a particular template, such as adding or removing specific data fields. If you require a template specifically for your use, template customization is an additional chargeable service.
The two main categories of template tasks are JavaScript/Python templates and OTD template tasks.
OTD template tasks are tasks we build with Octoparse Advanced Mode. When you choose to run a template, an OTD template tasks may show options of Run on your device and Run in the Cloud.
JavaScript/Python template tasks are written by our data engineering team to deal with more complex websites, such as Amazon, Twitter, Indeed, etc. They are specifically written to bypass stronger anti-scraping techniques. Please note that JS/Python templates can only be run in the Cloud. Also, most public JS/Python templates are set with limitations on usage.
How to Request a Customized Template or Template Revision?
Additionally, we offer template customization and revision services (extra-paid service). You can turn to us for template customization if you need a new template that allows you to simply enter parameters and wait for the data to be extracted.
You have two options for requesting a new template. Request a new template at the
Template Gallery page
Click the Help button on the Template Gallery page
Choose Request New Template
Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Octoparse support team and leave the following information so that we can help evaluate your request.
Website(s) you want to scrape
Data fields you need
Frequency of your project
Ultimate goal you want to achieve
Also, if you think our current template doesn't include the data fields you need, you can also let us know to see how we can fulfill your needs.
Tips on Using Template Tasks
With version 8.5.8 or above, Octoparse adds features like Filter to make it simpler and more precise for users to find suitable template tasks.
Mark as Favorite
You can mark the template that you frequently use or that you are interested in as Favorite.
Then you'll be able to find it in the Favorite category on the Template Gallery page.
Filter the template as you need
The number of templates we now have is considerable, and we are regularly updating our templates across a variety of genres and languages. Finding your target template from among the many that we offer may take quite some time.
But now, with the new Filter feature, you'll be able to easily search for a keyword for the template, choose your preferred language, and see what modes the template supports.
