Mastering Postman: Running Test Cases in Bulk

When working on APIs, running a test case one by one can be both time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you’re dealing with multiple endpoints. Fortunately, Postman offers a powerful Run Collection feature that allows you to execute batches of test cases efficiently. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can configure and utilize this function to streamline your API testing workflow.

How to overcome the limitations of Postman Collections Runner for free?

Many users use the Postman Collection Runner to conduct API tests. However, recent updates to Postman have introduced new limitations on the Collection Runner, which can interfere with the workflow of those who frequently use Postman for API testing.

EchoAPIElara Brooks

Why Use the Bulk Test Run Feature?

After setting up your API parameters and writing the necessary scripts for assertions, the next logical step is debugging. However, manually debugging each endpoint one by one is not practical, especially for projects that involve dozens or even hundreds of API calls. This is where Postman's Run Collection feature comes to the rescue. It allows you to execute all the requests in a collection together, saving you both time and effort while providing detailed results for analysis.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running Collections in Bulk

Step 1: Start with Your Collection

Navigate to the collection in your project that contains all your test requests. Click on the Run Collection button to initiate the bulk execution process. Once clicked, a new window will appear, displaying all the API requests within your collection.

Step 2: Configure Execution Settings

Postman provides several customization options for your bulk test run:

• Iterations: This parameter specifies how many times the entire collection will be executed. By default, it is set to 1, but you can increase it to loop through the collection multiple times. This is useful for load testing or testing different datasets.
• Delay: You can set a delay (in milliseconds) between each request's execution. This is particularly useful when simulating real-world usage conditions where API calls aren’t made instantaneously but rather with slight intervals.
• Data File: Upload a data file (CSV or JSON format) to test your APIs with multiple sets of dynamic data. For instance, you can test a user registration API with different user data stored in a file.
• Advanced Settings: Postman also provides advanced settings that might include environment variables, request timeout settings, and more. These settings give you additional flexibility and control over how your collection runs.

Step 3: Click Run Collection

After configuring the necessary settings, click the Run Collection button to start the execution process. Postman will execute each request in the order they appear in the collection, adhering to the iterations, delays, or data files specified.

Analyzing the Results

Once your collection has been executed, you’ll be presented with a detailed report that breaks down the test results into meaningful insights. Here’s what you’ll find in the report:

• Execution Environment: Displays information about the environment used during the tests, such as variables and configuration details.
• Execution Count: Shows how many iterations were performed during the collection run.
• Total Test Duration: Indicates the total time taken to execute all test cases in the collection.
• Assertions: Provides details about the number of assertions included in your scripts and their status (passed/failed).
• Average Response Time: Displays the average response time for all requests, helping you measure API performance.
• Test Case Results: Each individual request is listed in the results, categorized into three groups:
  • Passed: Test cases that met all expected conditions.
  • Failed: Test cases where one or more assertions did not match the expected outcome.
  • Skipped: Tests that were intentionally ignored during execution.

By clicking on any request in the report, you can view its request/response details, as well as the specific assertions and logs related to the test.

Conclusion

The Run Collection feature in Postman is a game-changer for API testing. It allows you to execute multiple test cases in bulk, configure settings to match real-world scenarios, and generate comprehensive reports for analysis. This functionality not only boosts your productivity but also ensures your APIs are reliable and meet expectations across various datasets and conditions.

By mastering this feature, you save valuable time while maintaining consistency and precision throughout your API testing process. Whether you’re testing a small set of endpoints or a large-scale API project, Postman’s bulk execution capability is a must-have in your workflow.