Shared Folders

You can use the same files across multiple tests. Upload the files to Shared Folders and include the folders in as many tests as you like. Shared Folders provide a more advanced alternative to simply uploading files to each test. You select which folders to include (rather than individual files). The folders are then downloaded to each of the engines in your test before it starts.

This approach gives you great power. You can update a large number of tests instantly by updating the contents of a single Shared Folder.

CAUTION! Always consider that any change you make will impact every test that includes that folder, not just the test you are currently configuring.

This article is about using Shared Folders in Performance tests. You can also use Shared folders in GUI Functional Tests.

JDBC drivers are an exception to this rule. These must be uploaded directly to the test, as shared folders do not currently support driver uploads.

Create Shared Folders and Upload Files

There are two ways to create a shared folder:

Create Folders and Upload Files from within a Test

Follow these steps:

  1. Create a new Performance test. For more information, see Creating a Performance Test.
  2. Click the Shared Folder link in the Upload Script section.
    upload script shared folder
  3. To create a new shared folder, click the + button. To choose an existing folder, select the checkbox next to the folder.

    select test folders

  4. If you are creating a new folder, fill in the folder name.

    Note: Spaces and special characters are not allowed.

    invalid folder name

  5. (Optional) To expand the folder and view the files, click the > arrow.

    shared folder expand

  6. To upload new files to a shared folder, click the Upload file to folder icon.

    shared folder upload files

  7. Click Accept.

You can find your shared folders in the test in Configuration, Scenario Definition. The name of the shared folder shows in the Shared Folder column.

shared folder file in test

Once you create a shared folder, it is available to use with any test, not just the test you created it for.

Create Folders from the Workspace Menu

  1. Navigate to Settings in the top right corner.
    go to settings

  2. From the Settings menu on the left, expand the Workspace section and select Shared Folders.
    workspace shared folders
    You can view your existing shared folders.
  3. To create a new shared folder, click the + New Folder button.

    Shared folders_-_New folder button

  4. To add files to a folder, click the folder name.
    click test name
  5. Drop or upload files.

    upload files to folder

  6. (Optional) To make the file read-only, toggle the Readonly button.

    read-only

Reference Shared Folders in Your Script

To point to a file from an included Shared Folder in your script, use the "folder/filename" style path: folder1/file11.csv (no leading slash).

Remove a Shared Folder from a Test

Follow these steps:

  1. Open a test and navigate to the Configuration tab.
  2. In the Scenario Definition section, hover over the + button on the right.
    Once a shared folder is added to a test, a Shared Folders button is shown.
  3. Click Shared Folders.

    scenario def config

  4. Uncheck the folders that you want to remove from the test.
    uncheck folder
  5. Click Accept.

Delete Shared Folders or Files

CAUTION! This procedure deletes the folder and its contents from all tests that include this folder.

There are two ways to delete a shared folder:

Delete Shared Folders or Files from a Test Configuration Menu

Follow these steps:

  1. Open a test and navigate to the Configuration tab.
  2. In the Scenario Definition section, hover over the + button on the right.
    Once a shared folder is added to a test, a Shared Folders button is shown.
  3. Click Shared Folders.
  4. To delete a shared folder, click the Delete folder bin icon next to the folder name that you want to delete.

    delete folder

    Important: The shared folder will be deleted from all tests that are using the folder.

  5. To delete a file from a shared folder, expand the folder to display files and click the Delete file bin icon for the file that you want to delete.

    delete file

    Important: The file will be deleted from all tests that are using the shared folder in which the file is located.

Delete Shared Folders or Files from the Workspace Menu

Follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings in the top right corner.
    go to settings
  2. From the Settings menu on the left, expand the Workspace section and select Shared Folders.
    workspace-shared-folders.png
  3. To delete a shared folder, click the bin icon next to the folder that you want to delete.

    shared folders settings delete

    Important: The shared folder will be deleted from all tests that are using the folder.

    Note: If the Readonly toggle is ON for the shared folder, you cannot see the bin icon and cannot delete the shared folder.

  4. To delete a file from a shared folder, click the shared folder name to open it and then click the bin icon next to the file that you want to delete.

    file settings delete

    Important: The file will be deleted from all tests that are using the shared folder in which the file is located.