Skip to content
Postman API Testing Tips

How To Make Soap Call Using Postman

API Testing Blog

Making SOAP Calls with Postman: A Comprehensive Guide

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol used for exchanging data over the internet. While less common than REST APIs, SOAP is still used in many enterprise applications. Postman, a popular API testing platform, provides a robust way to interact with SOAP services. In this guide, we’ll explore how to make SOAP calls using Postman, with practical examples and step-by-step instructions.

Understanding SOAP Basics

Before delving into Postman, let’s briefly understand the fundamentals of SOAP:

  • SOAP Messages: SOAP communication relies on XML-based messages, containing information about the operation to be performed and its parameters.
  • WSDL (Web Services Description Language): A WSDL file describes the structure and functionality of a SOAP service, providing details about available operations, data types, and other relevant metadata.

Setting up the Postman Environment

  1. Download and Install Postman: Visit the official Postman website (https://www.postman.com/) and download the app for your operating system.
  2. Create a New Request: Once Postman is installed, create a new request by clicking the “New” button in the top-left corner and selecting “Request.”

Steps to Make SOAP Calls in Postman

  1. Import WSDL:

    • Click on the “Authorization” tab.
    • Choose “None.”
    • Switch to the “Body” tab.
    • Select raw from the dropdown.
    • Select XML as the data type.
    • Choose “Import from WSDL” and paste the WSDL URL or upload the WSDL file.

  2. Choose the Operation:

    • Once the WSDL is imported, Postman automatically detects available operations. Select the desired SOAP operation from the dropdown.

  3. Construct the Request Body:

    • The “Body” tab will display the request template based on the selected operation. Modify the template to include the necessary parameters and values for your SOAP request.
    • Example: 
      <soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"
                      xmlns:wsa="http://www.w3.org/2005/08/addressing"
                      xmlns:tns="http://tempuri.org/"
                      xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"
                      xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
          <soapenv:Header/>
          <soapenv:Body>
              <tns:GetWeather>
                  <tns:city>London</tns:city>
              </tns:GetWeather>
          </soapenv:Body>
      </soapenv:Envelope>

  4. Set Headers:

    • If required, set additional headers in the “Headers” tab. For example, you may need to include the Content-Type header with the value application/soap+xml.

  5. Send the Request:

    • Click the “Send” button to execute the SOAP request.

  6. Analyze the Response:

    • The response will be displayed in the “Body” tab. You can view the raw XML response or use the “Pretty” or “JSON” tabs for better readability.

Sending a SOAP Request with Postman

Practical Example: Let’s consider a simple example of getting weather information from a SOAP service.

1. WSDL URL: http://www.webservicex.net/globalweather.asmx?WSDL

2. Postman Setup:

  • Import WSDL: Follow the steps outlined above to import the WSDL into Postman.
  • Select Operation: Choose the “GetWeather” operation.

3. Request Body:

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"
                  xmlns:wsa="http://www.w3.org/2005/08/addressing"
                  xmlns:tns="http://www.webservicex.net/"
                  xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"
                  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
    <soapenv:Header/>
    <soapenv:Body>
        <tns:GetWeather>
            <tns:CityName>London</tns:CityName>
        </tns:GetWeather>
    </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

4. Sending the Request & Analyzing the Response:

  • Send the request as explained earlier.
  • The response will contain the weather information for London, typically presented in XML format.

Troubleshooting SOAP Requests

  • Incorrect WSDL: Ensure you are using the correct WSDL URL or file.
  • Malformed XML: Validate your request body XML for any syntax errors.
  • Headers: Double-check required headers like Content-Type.
  • Security: SOAP services may require authentication.
  • Network Issues: Verify network connectivity and firewall settings.

Postman Collection and Environments

For managing multiple SOAP requests and organizing your testing workflow, consider these Postman features:

  • Collections: Create a collection to group related SOAP requests together.
  • Environments: Define variables in environments to store common data like base URLs, credentials, and headers, making your tests more dynamic.

Conclusion

Postman offers a user-friendly and powerful platform for working with SOAP services. By understanding the basics of SOAP and following the steps outlined above, you can effectively test and interact with SOAP APIs. Remember to utilize Postman’s features like collections and environments to enhance your workflow and optimize your testing processes.

API Testing Blog