robotframework-datadriver

What it is and what it does

DataDriver is a listener library for Robot Framework that intercepts test suite execution and generates test cases dynamically from external data sources. Instead of writing separate test cases for each data combination, you define a single test template with named arguments and point DataDriver to a CSV or Excel file containing the test data; DataDriver then creates one test case per data row, all executing the same keyword sequence with different inputs.

The library integrates via Robot Framework's Listener Interface Version 3, reading data files that match the test suite name by default or via explicit configuration. It supports CSV (default), Excel (XLS/XLSX with optional pandas/numpy/xlrd dependencies), and custom Python DataReaders for sources like databases or JSON. It also integrates with Microsoft PICT for combinatorial test data generation.

Use it for:

• Replace repetitive Robot Framework test cases with a single template and a CSV file of login credentials, form inputs, or API parameters.
• Generate hundreds of test combinations from an Excel spreadsheet without manually writing each test case in the robot file.
• Integrate with Microsoft PICT to automatically generate combinatorial test data and execute all combinations as separate test cases.
• Load test data from a custom source (database, JSON API, etc.) by implementing a Python DataReader class.
• Reduce test suite maintenance by keeping test logic in one place and data in external files that non-programmers can edit.

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

DataDriver extends Robot Framework to generate multiple test cases from external data files (CSV, Excel, or custom sources), eliminating the need to manually write each data-driven test case.

Yes, if you use Robot Framework and need data-driven testing at scale. Low install friction, permissive license, and no known vulnerabilities make it safe to adopt. Dormant maintenance (last release 797 days ago) is a minor concern but not a blocker—the package is stable and the repository remains open. Verify compatibility with your Robot Framework version before relying on it for new projects.

Install

robotframework-datadriver on PyPI

pip install robotframework-datadriver

uv add robotframework-datadriver

poetry add robotframework-datadriver

Installing robotframework-datadriver

Before you install

Low friction install with a pure-Python wheel. Maintenance is dormant—last release was 797 days ago—but the repository remains active with 153 stars and no recent commits indicate the package is stable enough for its intended use.

License in practice

Licensed under Apache License (permissive), allowing use in commercial and proprietary projects without restriction.

Quickstart

# Install
pip install robotframework-datadriver

# In your test suite (example.robot):
*** Settings ***
Library    DataDriver
Test Template    Login Test

*** Test Cases ***
Login with ${username} and ${password}    placeholder    placeholder

*** Keywords ***
Login Test
    [Arguments]    ${username}    ${password}
    # Your test logic here

# Create example.csv with columns: username, password
# DataDriver will generate one test case per CSV row

Requires Python >= 3.8 and Robot Framework installed. For Excel support (.xls/.xlsx), install with [XLS] extra: pip install robotframework-datadriver[XLS]

Verify before relying

• Whether the dormant maintenance status affects compatibility with recent Robot Framework versions beyond Python 3.8–3.11.
• Whether custom DataReader implementations for databases or JSON sources require additional dependencies beyond the three listed runtime packages.

Package facts

Evidence: robotframework_datadriver-1.11.2-py3-none-any.whl

Tags

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