How to Create Keywords in Robot Framework

Robot Framework is a powerful open-source automation framework that allows you to create custom keywords to streamline your testing process. Keywords are reusable building blocks that make your test cases more modular and easier to maintain. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own keywords in Robot Framework.

What Are Keywords in Robot Framework?

Keywords in Robot Framework are user-defined or library-defined actions that perform specific tasks. They can be compared to functions in programming languages, allowing you to encapsulate logic and reuse it across multiple test cases.

Steps to Create Custom Keywords

1. Define Keywords in a Test Case File

You can define keywords directly in your test case file using the *** Keywords *** section. Here’s an example:

*** Keywords ***
Login To Website
    [Arguments]    ${username}    ${password}
    Input Text    id=username    ${username}
    Input Text    id=password    ${password}
    Click Button    id=login-button

2. Use Keywords in Test Cases

Once defined, you can use your custom keyword in test cases like this:

*** Test Cases ***
Valid Login
    Login To Website    admin    secret

3. Organize Keywords in Resource Files

For better maintainability, store keywords in separate resource files (.robot or .resource) and import them into your test suites.

*** Settings ***
Resource    keywords.resource

Best Practices for Creating Keywords

Use descriptive names for keywords.
Keep keywords small and focused on a single task.
Use arguments to make keywords reusable.
Document keywords with comments or metadata.

Conclusion

Creating custom keywords in Robot Framework is a straightforward process that can significantly improve the efficiency and readability of your test suites. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to build modular and maintainable automation scripts with ease.

How to Create Keywords in Robot Framework | Step-by-Step Guide