Generate files dynamically during your tests
The Generate File step allows you to create files at run time in a range of formats, including:
Plain text
PDF
JSON
Excel (XLSX)
Instead of relying on static test fixtures, you can dynamically create the exact file your test needs, based on real-time data, calculated values, or environment-specific inputs.
This is especially powerful when testing file uploads, exports, reporting workflows, or integrations that expect structured documents.
Create realistic test data on demand
Many applications rely on file-based workflows:
Uploading CSV or Excel data
Generating invoices as PDFs
Importing structured JSON payloads
Processing text-based configuration files
With the Generate File step, you can construct these files inside your test at the moment they are needed.
Because the file is created during execution, it can include:
Values from the Value Store
Data passed in via CI/CD
Calculated or transformed data
Environment-specific configuration
Output from previous test steps
This removes the need to maintain external fixture files and keeps your test logic fully self-contained.
Pair with other file and integration steps
The Generate File step works seamlessly with:
File upload steps
SFTP upload nodes
API integration steps
Download and re-validation workflows
For example, you can:
Generate an Excel file with test data
Upload it through your application UI
Verify processing results
Download the output file
Assert its contents
All within a single automated flow.
Improve coverage without increasing maintenance
Static test files can quickly become outdated when business rules change. Generating files dynamically reduces maintenance because:
You do not need to store and update multiple fixture files
Test data can adapt automatically to different environments
Files can be built using shared values and central configuration
This approach keeps your automation flexible and scalable.
Practical use cases
Common scenarios include:
Testing bulk imports
Verifying document generation features
Creating structured JSON payloads for integration tests
Producing dynamic PDFs for validation
Building Excel files with variable row counts
The Generate File step gives you full control over file-based testing, making it easier to validate real-world workflows that depend on document creation and processing.