Passing csv data set config file as parameter to JMeter

Question

I would like to be able to pass a CSV file containing parameters for a JMeter test (CSV Data Set Config) to use instead of having the CSV Data Source hard coded as part of the JMeter test. Is this possible? I cannot seem to find this anywhere / in the list of command-line options for JMeter.

Reference for JMeter Data Set Config.

Answer 1

It is possible, but don't use JMeter Variables as a part of CSV Filename as they are being initialized after CSV Data Set Config so you'll get "file not found" errors. Go for JMeter Properties instead.

1. In CSV Data Set Config instead of hard-coded filename use JMeter property reference via __P() or __property() function like:

   • ${__P(csvfile,)}

   • ${__property(csvfile,,)}

     

2. Aforementioned csvfile property which pointing to the CSV file path can be defined in 2 ways:

   • in user.properties file (lives in JMeter's "bin" folder) like:

     csvfile=/path/to/your/file.csv
     

   • via -J command-line argument like

     jmeter -Jcsvfile=/path/to/file.csv -n -t test.jmx -l results.jtl
     

   Property value specified via command-line will override the one which is stored in the file. See Apache JMeter Properties Customization Guide for more information regarding JMeter properties and ways of working with them

Answer 2

If you are looking to manipulate the file you pass to the Jmeter via a variable, you need to create a user defined variable and then map that variable in CSV Dataset Config. In the following example, I am passing a csv file that can be controlled at runtime via the parameter cids

Step 1: Define user defined variables. In my case, I am using three different csv files.

Step 2: call these variables as file names in each csv dataset config.

Now, you have a jmx, the inputs to which can be controlled by the user defined variables. This is pretty convenient when you schedule jobs via maven or similar ones.