Skip to content
Postman API Testing Tips

How To Use Postman To Post Xml

API Testing Blog

Using Postman to Send XML Data in API Testing

Postman is an excellent tool for API testing and offers robust features to send and receive various data types, including XML. This guide will walk you through the process of using Postman to effectively send XML data to your APIs.

Setting up Your XML Payload in Postman

  1. Create a new request: Open Postman and create a new request. Select the ‘POST’ method as we will be sending data to the API.

  2. Enter the API Endpoint: In the request URL field, enter the target API endpoint for your XML payload.

  3. Select Body Tab: Navigate to the ‘Body’ tab in the request window.

  4. Choose ‘raw’ and specify XML: Select the ‘raw’ option in the body tab. Then, select the ‘XML’ option from the dropdown menu.

  5. Enter your XML: In the text editor, paste your XML payload. Ensure it is valid and correctly formatted.

Example XML Payload:

<order>
  <customer>
    <name>John Doe</name>
    <email>john.doe@example.com</email>
  </customer>
  <items>
    <item>
      <productID>12345</productID>
      <quantity>2</quantity>
    </item>
  </items>
</order>

Sending the XML Request

  1. Authorization (if needed): If your API requires authorization (e.g., API keys, tokens), configure it in the ‘Authorization’ tab.

  2. Headers (optional): Set any required headers in the ‘Headers’ tab. For example, you might need to specify the content-type:

Content-Type: application/xml

  1. Send the request: Click the ‘Send’ button to submit your request.

  2. Review the response: Analyze the response in the ‘Body’ tab. You should see the response from the API.

Understanding The Response

Postman displays the API response in a formatted way, making it easy to analyze:

  • Status Code: The HTTP status code indicates the success or failure of the request.
  • Headers: The response headers include information like content type and content length.
  • Body: The response body contains the data returned by the API. If your API is correctly processing the XML data, you should see the desired response.

Troubleshooting XML Post Requests

Here are some common issues you might encounter when sending XML data:

  • Invalid XML: Ensure your XML is correctly formatted and adheres to XML syntax.
  • Incorrect API Endpoint: Double-check the API endpoint address.
  • Authorization Issues: Verify your authorization settings.
  • Headers: Ensure you have set the correct content type header for XML data.

Tips for Effectively Using Postman With XML

  • Use a Code Editor: For complex XML payloads, using an external code editor like Visual Studio Code with XML extensions can help with validation and formatting.
  • Utilize Pre-request Scripts: Implement pre-request scripts to dynamically generate XML payloads before sending the request if your data is dynamic.
  • Take Advantage of Postman Collections: Organize your API tests in collections for better management and reusability.
  • Use Assertions: Set up assertions to verify the response content and ensure the API is working as expected.

Sending XML With Different Methods

You can also send XML data using other HTTP methods, like PUT and PATCH, following the same process. Be sure to select the correct method in Postman.

By understanding how to use Postman to send XML data, you can efficiently test your APIs and ensure they are handling XML payloads correctly. This can streamline your testing process and help you build robust and reliable API solutions.

API Testing Blog