Data-Driven Testing in Robot Framework Made Simple

Introduction

The Robot Framework's support for data-driven testing is one of its most powerful features and is widely adopted in modern software automation testing services. Using this method, teams can run the same test case repeatedly with various input data sets, thereby lowering complexity, improving test coverage, and enhancing long-term maintainability.

Data Driven Testing?

Data-driven testing is a methodology where test logic is separated from test data, and the same test case is executed multiple times with different sets of inputs and expected outcomes.

Why use Data Driven Testing in Robot Framework?

• Reduces duplication in test cases
• Improves test coverage
• Makes tests more maintainable
• Easily integrates with external files (Excel, CSV, JSON)

Methods of Data-Driven Testing in Robot Framework

Using FOR Loops (Built-in)

Using Test Template

Using External Libraries (e.g., DataDriver, ExcelLibrary)

Method 1: Using FOR Loop

*** Settings ***  

Library SeleniumLibrary 

*** Variables ***  

@{LOGIN_DATA} user1  pass1 	user2 	pass2 	user3 	pass3 

*** Test Cases ***  

Loop Through Credentials : 

FOR 	${i} 	IN RANGE 	0 	6 	2  

\ 	Log 	Username: ${LOGIN_DATA[${i}]} 

 \ 	Log 	Password: ${LOGIN_DATA[${i+1}]}

Method 2: Using Test Template (Keyword-Driven DDT)

This is Robot Framework's native way to do data-driven testing.

Step-by-Step Example: Login Testing

Step 1: Define the keyword

*** Keywords *** 
Login With Credentials 
   [Arguments]   ${username}   ${password} 
    Log    Trying to login with ${username}/${password} 
    # Add actual login steps here, like: 
    # Input Text    id=username    ${username} 
    # Input Text    id=password    ${password} 
    # Click Button    id=login

Step 2: Create test cases using Test Template

*** Test Cases *** 
Login Test With Multiple Data 
   [Template]   Login With Credentials 
    user1    pass1 
    user2    pass2 
    user3    pass3

Method 3: Reading Data from CSV & Excel Files

Install:

pip install robotframework-datadriver

CSV File: login_data.csv

username,password 

user1,pass1 

user2,pass2 

user3,pass3

Test File:

*** Settings ***  

Library SeleniumLibrary  

Test Template Login With Credentials  

Library DataDriver file=login_data.csv 

*** Keywords ***  

Login With Credentials  

[Arguments] 	${username} 	${password}  

Log 	Logging in with ${username} / ${password}

Comparison Table: Which Method to Use?

Why Need to Use Excel for Data-Driven Testing?

Using Excel is a popular tool for organising structured data, so it makes sense to want to incorporate it into your automated framework for data-driven testing. Fortunately, Robot Framework uses RPA and other APIs to make this simple. ExcelLibrary or Excel.Files.

• Storing test input/output data
• Keeping test data manageable and readable
• Allowing non-technical users to contribute to test scenarios

Robot Framework supports Excel via multiple libraries that let you read, write, and loop through data row by row.

Step-by-Step: Data-Driven Tests with Excel File

Step 1: Install Required Library

pip install rpaframework

Step 2: Prepare your Excel file

Step 3: Create Your .robot Test File

*** Settings ***  

Library RPA.Excel.Files  

Library SeleniumLibrary 

*** Variables ***  

${EXCEL_PATH} LoginData.xlsx 

*** Test Cases ***  

Data-Driven Login Test 

    Open Workbook    ${EXCEL_PATH} 

    ${rows}=    Read Worksheet As Table    header=True 

    FOR    ${row}    IN    @{rows} 

        ${username}=    Set Variable    ${row}[username] 

        ${password}=    Set Variable    ${row}[password] 

        Log    Testing login with ${username} / ${password} 

        # Here you would add your actual login steps 

        # Open Browser    https://example.com    Chrome 

        # Input Text    id=username    ${username} 

        # Input Text    id=password    ${password} 

        # Click Button    id=login 

        # Close Browser 

END 

    Close Workbook

Conclusion

Testing process becomes more collaborative and scalable when you integrate Excel into Robot Framework projects, bridging the gap between automated and manual testing workflows. To make your tests even more dynamic and adaptable, start small with Test Templates and then investigate external data sources like CSV or Excel as your test data develops.