How to use CSV Data Set Config in JMeter

In JMeter, we can use the CSV Data Set Config element to read data from a CSV file and use that data in our JMeter test plan. This is particularly useful when we need to parameterize our requests with different values for each iteration of the test.

Using CSV Data Set Config in JMeter

Here's how we can use the "CSV Data Set Config" in JMeter:

1. Add CSV Data Set Config element: Right-click the thread group or the specific sampler where you want to use the CSV data. From the context menu, go to Add > Config Element > CSV Data Set Config.

2. Configure CSV Data Set Config: In the CSV Data Set Config element, we can see various fields to configure:

   1. Filename: Specify the path to your CSV file. You can use either an absolute or relative path to the CSV file.

   2. File encoding: Select the encoding for your CSV file.

   3. Variable names: Provide a list of variable names corresponding to your CSV file's columns. A comma should separate each variable name.

   4. Delimiter: Specify the character that separates the values in your CSV file. Common delimiters are comma (,), semicolon (;), tab (\t), etc.

   5. Allow quoted data: Check this option if your data values are enclosed in quotes.

   6. Recycle on EOF: If selected, JMeter will loop back to the top of the file when it reaches the end.

   7. Stop thread on EOF: If selected, the thread will stop when the end of the file is reached.

3. Using CSV data in the sampler: In your samplers (HTTP requests, JDBC requests, etc.), you can use the variable names you defined in the CSV Data Set Config. Use the syntax ${variableName} to reference the values from the CSV file. For example, if we defined a variable named username, we can use ${username} in your sampler. Here's a simple example: Suppose we have a CSV file named users.csv with the following content:

We configure the CSV Data Set Config as follows:

• Filename: path/to/users.csv

• Variable names: username,password

• Delimiter: ,

And in the HTTP Request sampler, we can use ${username} and ${password} to parameterize the values. Remember to place the CSV Data Set Config under the appropriate thread group or sampler, depending on where you want to use the data.

Note: The CSV Data Set Config allows us to iterate through the CSV data for each thread, which is useful for simulating different users or test scenarios.