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How To Post Xml Data Using Postman

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Sending XML Data with Postman

Postman is a powerful tool for API testing, and supporting XML data is a key feature. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for sending XML data using Postman.

1. Set Up the Request

  • Select the HTTP Method: Choose “POST” from the dropdown menu, as this method is used to send data to the server.
  • Enter the URL: Specify the exact endpoint URL where you’ll be sending the XML data.

2. Format the XML Data

  • Body Tab: Switch to the “Body” tab in Postman.
  • Choose “raw” and XML: Select “raw” for raw text input and “XML” from the dropdown for content type.
  • Compose Your XML: Paste or type your XML data into the text box. Make sure your XML is valid and well-structured.

Sample XML:

<order>
  <customer>
    <name>John Doe</name>
    <email>john.doe@example.com</email>
  </customer>
  <items>
    <item>
      <product>Laptop</product>
      <quantity>1</quantity>
    </item>
    <item>
      <product>Mouse</product>
      <quantity>2</quantity>
    </item>
  </items>
</order>

3. Set Headers (Optional)

  • Headers Tab: Go to the “Headers” tab.
  • Add “Content-Type”: Add a header called “Content-Type” with the value “application/xml” to specify that you’re sending XML data.

4. Send the Request

  • Click the “Send” button.

5. Interpret the Response

  • Response Body: Check the response body to analyze the server’s response.
  • Response Status Code: Examine the status code to see if the request was successful (e.g., 200 OK, 201 Created).
  • Validation: Use Postman’s built-in tools or external validation tools to ensure the server responded with the expected XML data.

Variations of Sending XML Data

1. Sending XML from a File

  • Body Tab: In the “Body” tab, select “raw” and choose “text” (not “XML”) from the dropdown.
  • File Upload: Click the “Choose Files” button and select your XML file. This option lets you send pre-formatted data from a local file.

2. Using XML Variables

  • Create Variables: You can use Postman’s built-in variable system to store dynamic XML data and use them in your requests.
  • Dynamic Values: Define variables that correspond to the elements in your XML structure.
  • Insert Variables: Replace static values in your XML with variable names enclosed in double curly braces ({{variable_name}}).

For instance:

{
  "name": "{{customer_name}}",
  "email": "{{customer_email}}",
  "items": [
    { "product": "{{product_name}}", "quantity": "{{product_quantity}}" }
  ]
}

3. Working with XML Schemas

  • Specify Schemas: Postman allows you to define a schema for your XML data to validate the structure of the payload.
  • Validate Structure: Use the “Schema” tab in the “Body” tab to select a schema (XSD) file to analyze the sent or received XML data. This ensures the correctness of your XML format before sending.

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