Instant Data Scraper
Browser extension for simple web scraping, with table output
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Browser extension for simple web scraping, with table output
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Instant Data Scraper is a browser plug-in that works with Microsoft Edge or Chrome based browsers. It allows users to scrape data from a web page, across pages, or with a dynamic crawl for lists that do not load in their entirety, and exports the results as a file into a .csv or .xlsx file to your local storage, without the need to understand how to code. The tool also allows you to choose which table on a page is being scraped.
Widows Edge or Chrome based browsers (Chrome, Brave).
The tool works on most pages, however it is dependent on the page hosting information in a table based format. The tool is also limited to content that is available via a webpage. Some websites, like social media platforms, may not let you access the table you wish to scrape, or you may have to try different tables than the one immediately suggested.
Scraping data from a webpage can often include information that is not relevant to an investigation, such as account data for users that are not associated with the target of an investigation. Discretion should be used to protect unrelated entities.
The Instant Data Scraper Facebook Community is a forum for information about the tool, where users can ask questions and get feedback from the developers, and other users.
Install the plugin on your browser;
Navigate your browser to the web page you would like to scrape;
Click on the Instant Data Scraper icon at the top right of your browser window;
A dialogue box will appear and highlight a table on the web page to be scraped;
If this is not the table you wish to scrape, click "Try Another Table" in the dialogue box;
If the table continues past where it has loaded on your browser, check the box for "Infinite Scroll" and then click the "Start crawling";
If the table continues on additional pages, click the "Locate 'Next' button" button;
When the tool finishes scraping, click the button for "CSV," or "XLSX," or "Copy All," depending on how you would like to receive the data;
Name the file and save, OR copy the data into another spreadsheet tool.
Web Robots is a company based in Lithuania that offers professional web scraping services for a fee. The Instant Data Scraper tool is their free offering.
Paul - Bellingcat Volunteer Community
