Data Table in Cucumber

What are Data Tables in Cucumber?

In Cucumber, Data Tables are used to pass structured data (like tabular format) to steps in a feature file. It allows you to supply multiple rows of input to a single step in a Gherkin scenario.

They are especially useful when you want to test a scenario using multiple sets of values for the same action without repeating the entire scenario.

Why Use Data Tables?

Makes test cases more readable and maintainable.
Allows passing multiple sets of data (rows and columns).
Avoids duplication of steps.
Makes your tests data-driven.

Types of Data Tables in Cucumber

One-Dimensional Data Table – like a list.
Two-Dimensional Data Table – like a table with headers.
Without Header – multiple rows but no column names.

1. Feature File with Data Table

Feature: Login Feature

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user enters the following credentials
      | username | password  |
      | john123  | pass123   |

2. Step Definition for Data Table (Java)

import io.cucumber.java.en.Given;
import io.cucumber.datatable.DataTable;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

public class LoginSteps {

    @Given("the user enters the following credentials")
    public void the_user_enters_the_following_credentials(DataTable dataTable) {
        List<Map<String, String>> credentials = dataTable.asMaps(String.class, String.class);

        for (Map<String, String> credential : credentials) {
            String username = credential.get("username");
            String password = credential.get("password");
            System.out.println("Username: " + username + ", Password: " + password);

            // Here you can call your login method or perform UI action
            // loginPage.login(username, password);
        }
    }
}

How it Works

DataTable is automatically passed to your step definition.
asMaps(String.class, String.class) converts each row into a Map where:

Key = column header
Value = cell value

You can use Data Tables in scenarios like:

Filling forms with multiple values
Testing multiple login credentials
Verifying entries in a shopping cart

Important Points:

Feature	Description
Data Table	Structured input passed to steps
Format	Tabular (rows and columns)
Conversion	Use `.asList()` or `.asMaps()`
Use Cases	Data-driven testing, repeated data input