Iterate Using Data Files
The Collection Runner feature allows you to iterate over data files, making it easy to automate and manage data-driven requests. Bruno supports both CSV and JSON files for running requests, so you can efficiently run tests or process multiple data inputs.
Introduction
In this tutorial, we’ll explore the Collection Runner feature, which enables you to run collections using custom data for each iteration.
Steps to Get Started
- Open the Bruno app.
- Create a collection called
runner-example
- Create a POST request and name it
runner-request
- Use the URL:
https://reqres.in/api/users
- Select the JSON format for the request body and add the following data:
{
"name": "morpheus",
"job": "leader"
}
Using the Collection Runner
We will create a sample data file csv-example.csv
that includes input fields such as name
and job
to be used in data-driven testing. You need to create a CSV or JSON file according to the specific requirements of the API you’re working with.
Since the API in this case expects two data inputs name
and job
the file should contain these fields. Here’s an example of how to structure your data:
1. CSV Format Example
A sample CSV file might look like this:
name,job
John Doe,Software Engineer
Jane Smith,Product Manager
Mark Lee,Data Scientist
2. JSON Format Example
A sample JSON file might look like this:
[
{ "name": "John Doe", "job": "Software Engineer" },
{ "name": "Jane Smith", "job": "Product Manager" },
{ "name": "Mark Lee", "job": "Data Scientist" }
]
Now you’re ready to use the Collection Runner. You can access it in two ways:
Using the Bruno App
- Click on the runner icon in the right-hand navbar.
- Check the Run with Parameters option.
- Select the file type: CSV or JSON.
- Click Run Collection.
Once the execution is complete, you can review the results for each individual request and check their statuses.
How to Use Variables from CSV/JSON Files
When you upload a CSV or JSON file, the variables within the file can be accessed using the {{var}}
syntax.
You can access these variables dynamically in your requests and use them within Bruno.
Accessing Variables in Request Body
{
"name": "{{name}}",
"email": "{{email}}"
}
In this example, {{name}}
and {{email}}
will be replaced by the actual values from the uploaded JSON file.
{
"name": "John Doe",
"email": "john.doe@example.com"
}
Accessing Variables in Scripts
You can also access these variables directly in your pre-request or post-response scripts using bru.getVar()
.
console.log(bru.getVar("name")); // Outputs: John Doe
console.log(bru.getVar("email")); // Outputs: john.doe@example.com
When you run the request, you’ll see the output of these variables in the console.
Using the Bruno CLI
- Navigate to the root directory of your Bruno collection.
- Run the following command:
bru run --reporter-html results.html --csv-file-path /path/to/csv/file.csv
or
bru run --output results.html --format html --csv-file-path /path/to/csv/file.csv
It will create a results.html
file in your Bruno collection’s root directory. You can view this file in your browser.
Command Overview
--reporter-html results.html
: Generates a human-readable HTML report.--csv-file-path /path/to/csv/file.csv
: Specifies the path to the CSV file you want to use.
Runner Iteration Utilities
Bruno provides various utility functions to access and manipulate data from attached data files (CSV/JSON) during collection runs.
Accessing Iteration Data
Check if a variable exists
if (bru.runner.iterationData.has("username")) {
console.log("Username exists in current iteration");
}
Get a specific value
const username = bru.runner.iterationData.get("username");
console.log(`Current username: ${username}`);
Get all iteration data
const allData = bru.runner.iterationData.get();
console.log("All iteration data:", allData);
Convert to JSON string
const jsonData = bru.runner.iterationData.stringify();
console.log("JSON data:", jsonData);
Remove a variable
bru.runner.iterationData.unset("password");
Iteration Information
Get current iteration index
const currentIteration = bru.runner.iterationIndex;
console.log(`Running iteration ${currentIteration}`);
Get total iterations
const total = bru.runner.totalIterations;
console.log(`Total iterations: ${total}`);
Example Usage
Basic Data Access
// Get values from current iteration
const username = bru.runner.iterationData.get("username");
const password = bru.runner.iterationData.get("password");
// Use in request
bru.request.setBody({
username: username,
password: password
});
Conditional Logic Based on Iteration
// Only modify data in first iteration
if (bru.runner.iterationIndex === 0) {
bru.runner.iterationData.unset("password");
}
// Check if variable exists
if (bru.runner.iterationData.has("password")) {
console.log("Password available");
}
Data File Examples
CSV Format
username,password
user1,pass123
user2,pass456
JSON Format
[
{ "username": "user1", "password": "pass123" },
{ "username": "user2", "password": "pass456" }
]
Notes
- Variables removed with
unset()
only affect the current iteration - Each iteration runs with fresh data from the file
- Supports both CSV and JSON data files
- Data is automatically loaded from the attached file at the start of each iteration