kobo_df_download failing when running the.RProj on a Windows machine

[TheDataAreClean]

Hello, I have this code that I have been running for the last year, where the on-field collected data is downloaded from a particular Kobo form and analysed.

Recently, I was handing over the code to my team members, who run a Windows machine. The code has been failing on their system fairly often.

The Original Environment

• .Rproj running on an Intel Macbook Pro
• All file paths and credentials are non-static
• Witnessed no failures on the code till date

The Code Chunk

data_from_field <- 
  kobo_df_download(
    url = "kf.kobotoolbox.org",
    uname = USER_ID,
    pwd = PASSWORD,
    assetid = id_data_from_field,
    lang = "_xml",
    sleep = 5
  )

The Error

> Waiting.. 15 seconds 
> Export instruction sent successfully. Waiting for result. 
> [[1]]
> NULL
> 
> [[2]]
> [1] "some_id_different_from_assetid"
> 
> Error:  `url` must be a single string, not `NULL`. 
> Error during export download:  object 'dff' not found 
> Export download was not successful; skipping deletion.
> 

The failure happens some times, some times it runs with issues. Highly inconsistent.

Things I have tried

• Complete re-download the .Rproj
• Clearing the entire workspace to avoid and cache, etc.
• Running to code on multiple Windows machines; failing on all of them

You can also find the entire codebase here: https://github.com/udhyam/food/

Any help to resolve this is appreciated! Thank you! :)

[asitav-sen]

Hi Arpit.
Thanks. I could replicate the error in Mac as well. Investigation revealed that this is an issue with Kobotoolbox server.
I created exports whose status is processing since long time.

[asitav-sen]

Update: I have created a ticket in Kobotoolbox forum seeking help in understanding the issue.

@TheDataAreClean Can you follow this documentation to check if you can retrieve data using postman? If yes, can you please let me know?

KoboToolbox Form Building API.pdf

[TheDataAreClean]

Thanks, @asitav-sen ! I am not super familiar with Postman, let me try it and get back to you.

Important Side Note: The code run started failing on my system too today morning.

Downloading: 7 kB     Export instruction sent successfully. Waiting for result. 
Downloading: 7 kB     Error in if (post_export$results$status[post_count] == "error") { : 
  missing value where TRUE/FALSE needed

[asitav-sen]

@TheDataAreClean Looks like it is working now. I didn't change anything.

[joe-epidemio]

Hi @asitav-sen I'm having the same issue now as well, but it seems my error might also be linked to my Kobo form being in .xlsx format? Is there a way to ensure it is read in as a csv and get the download to work with the server?

[asitav-sen]

@joe-epidemio I will soon update the package.

[andresimi]

Hi Guys, I am facing the same problem.
I am using KoboconnectR version 2.0.0 in R version 4.4.2 from the Github. I am also using Fedora 41 silverblue as a system.
Could you manage the problem? Best!