07/16/26

What is Data-Driven Testing in Cucumber Using `Examples` Keyword?

Data-Driven Testing in Cucumber is a method that allows you to run the same scenario multiple times with different sets of data. This is done using the Scenario Outline and Examples keywords in the Gherkin language.

Why Use Data-Driven Testing?

Eliminates code duplication
Increases test coverage
Allows testing edge cases easily
Makes test scenarios readable and maintainable

Gherkin Keywords Used

Keyword	Description
Scenario Outline	Used when you want to run the same scenario with multiple data sets
Examples	Contains the table of input values that will be injected into the scenario

Syntax Example

Feature File: `login.feature`

Feature: Login Feature

  Scenario Outline: Valid login with multiple credentials
    Given User is on the login page
    When User enters username "<username>" and password "<password>"
    Then User should see the dashboard

    Examples:
      | username | password  |
      | user1    | pass123   |
      | user2    | password1 |
      | admin    | admin123  |

Step Definition in Java

File: `LoginSteps.java`

package stepDefinitions;

import io.cucumber.java.en.*;

public class LoginSteps {

    @Given("User is on the login page")
    public void user_is_on_the_login_page() {
        System.out.println("User navigates to login page");
    }

    @When("User enters username {string} and password {string}")
    public void user_enters_username_and_password(String username, String password) {
        System.out.println("Entered Username: " + username);
        System.out.println("Entered Password: " + password);
    }

    @Then("User should see the dashboard")
    public void user_should_see_the_dashboard() {
        System.out.println("User lands on the dashboard");
    }
}

Test Runner Class

package testRunner;

import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import io.cucumber.junit.Cucumber;
import io.cucumber.junit.CucumberOptions;

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
@CucumberOptions(
    features = "src/test/resources/features",
    glue = {"stepDefinitions"},
    plugin = {"pretty", "html:target/cucumber-reports.html"},
    monochrome = true
)
public class TestRunner {
}

Project Structure

src/

└── test/

└── java/

└── stepDefinitions/

└── LoginSteps.java

└── testRunner/

└── TestRunner.java

└── resources/

└── features/

└── login.feature

Output

User navigates to login page
Entered Username: user1
Entered Password: pass123
User lands on the dashboard

User navigates to login page
Entered Username: user2
Entered Password: password1
User lands on the dashboard

User navigates to login page
Entered Username: admin
Entered Password: admin123
User lands on the dashboard

Important Points:

Feature	Description
Data-Driven Testing	Run one scenario with multiple data sets
Scenario Outline	Defines a scenario template
Examples	Data table used for substitution in the scenario
Benefit	Avoids duplication, increases maintainability and test coverage

Data Driven Testing using Cucumber

What is Data-Driven Testing in Cucumber Using Examples Keyword?