Where can I find export file after running export process using machine task in a workflow?

swapnil_J

I am testing export actions using workflow but its not generating any file when I am running the workflow, but the same process is generating export file when ran from the Actions→Process section. Is their any issue with the workflow functionality? Also, If I want to generate a file after completion of workflow and pull the data into AWS what are the steps I need to follow?

Dheeraj09

You're absolutely right to raise this — I’ve tested similar workflows and noticed the same behavior. Here's what's happening and how you can handle it:

Why You Don’t See an Export File from the Workflow Machine Task

When you run an export process using a machine task in Workflow, it successfully executes the export action within the model, but it does not generate a downloadable file like when you run it manually via Actions → Process.

This is expected behavior because:

• Machine tasks do not store or expose export files.
• The task runs the export in the background — great for triggering downstream integrations, but not for retrieving a file directly from the UX.

You can confirm it's working by:

• Checking the Workflow run logs (should show task completed successfully).
• Running the same process via Actions and seeing if the export downloads as expected (which you mentioned it does).

How to Actually Generate the File and Send It to AWS

If your end goal is to automate the export and send it to AWS S3, here’s how you can do it:

Approach: Use Anaplan API + AWS Integration

1. Create a standard export action in your model.
2. Use the Anaplan REST API (or Anaplan Connect or SDK) to:
   • Authenticate
   • Trigger the export
   • Wait for task completion
   • Download the export file
3. Use AWS SDK (like Python boto3) or AWS CLI to upload that file to your S3 bucket.

You can even automate this end-to-end using:

• AWS Lambda + Anaplan API
• Or use an iPaaS tool like Boomi, Informatica, or MuleSoft if you prefer no-code/low-code solutions.

Quick Summary Note :

Task	Tool
Trigger export in Anaplan	Workflow Machine Task or CloudWorks
Download export file	Anaplan REST API / Anaplan Connect
Upload to AWS	AWS CLI, SDK, or Lambda Function