Excel data reading (Apache POI) in Selenium Java

Introduction

We read Excel files to get test data easily without changing code. It helps run tests with many inputs.

You want to test a login page with many usernames and passwords stored in Excel.

You have a list of products and prices in Excel to check on a website.

You want to run the same test many times with different data from Excel.

You want to keep test data separate from test code for easy updates.

Syntax

Selenium Java

FileInputStream file = new FileInputStream("path/to/file.xlsx");
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(file);
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Row row = sheet.getRow(rowIndex);
Cell cell = row.getCell(cellIndex);
String value = cell.getStringCellValue();
workbook.close();
file.close();

Use XSSFWorkbook for .xlsx files and HSSFWorkbook for .xls files.

Always close workbook and file streams to avoid memory leaks.

Examples

Reads the first cell in the first row from the first sheet.

Selenium Java

FileInputStream file = new FileInputStream("data/testdata.xlsx");
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(file);
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Row row = sheet.getRow(0);
Cell cell = row.getCell(0);
String username = cell.getStringCellValue();
workbook.close();
file.close();

Reads a numeric value from the third cell in the second row of the sheet named 'Users'.

Selenium Java

FileInputStream file = new FileInputStream("data/testdata.xlsx");
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(file);
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheet("Users");
Row row = sheet.getRow(1);
Cell cell = row.getCell(2);
double price = cell.getNumericCellValue();
workbook.close();
file.close();

Sample Program

This program opens an Excel file named 'testdata.xlsx', reads the first cell in the first sheet, and prints its content.

Selenium Java

import java.io.FileInputStream;
import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.*;
import org.apache.poi.xssf.usermodel.XSSFWorkbook;

public class ExcelReadExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try (FileInputStream file = new FileInputStream("testdata.xlsx");
             Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(file)) {

            Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
            Row row = sheet.getRow(0);
            Cell cell = row.getCell(0);
            String data = cell.getStringCellValue();

            System.out.println("First cell data: " + data);

        } catch (Exception e) {
            System.out.println("Error reading Excel file: " + e.getMessage());
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Make sure the Excel file path is correct and accessible.

Check the cell type before reading to avoid errors (string, numeric, boolean).

Use try-with-resources to automatically close streams and workbook.

Summary

Apache POI lets you read Excel files to get test data.

Use Workbook, Sheet, Row, and Cell objects to access data.

Always close resources to keep your tests clean and efficient.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Apache POI in Selenium Java testing?

easy

A. To read and write Excel files for test data management

B. To locate web elements on a webpage

C. To execute JavaScript code in the browser

D. To generate HTML reports for test results

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Apache POI's role

   Apache POI is a library used to handle Microsoft Office files, especially Excel, in Java programs.

2. Step 2: Connect Apache POI with Selenium testing

   In Selenium tests, Apache POI helps read and write Excel files to manage test data efficiently.

3. Final Answer:

   To read and write Excel files for test data management -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Apache POI = Excel file handling [OK]

Hint: Apache POI = Excel data handling in Java tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Apache POI with Selenium WebDriver functions
• Thinking Apache POI is for web element locating
• Assuming Apache POI generates test reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to open an Excel workbook using Apache POI in Java?

easy

A. Workbook workbook = new Workbook("file.xlsx");

B. Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(new FileInputStream("file.xlsx"));

C. Workbook workbook = Workbook.open("file.xlsx");

D. Workbook workbook = new FileInputStream("file.xlsx");

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct Workbook creation method

   Apache POI uses WorkbookFactory.create(InputStream) to open Excel files safely.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(new FileInputStream("file.xlsx")); correctly uses WorkbookFactory.create with FileInputStream. Others are invalid or incorrect constructors.

3. Final Answer:

   Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(new FileInputStream("file.xlsx")); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use WorkbookFactory.create with FileInputStream [OK]

Hint: Use WorkbookFactory.create with FileInputStream to open Excel [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to instantiate Workbook directly
• Using wrong constructors or methods
• Assigning FileInputStream to Workbook variable

3. Given the following code snippet, what will be printed if the Excel cell at row 0, column 1 contains the string "TestData"?

Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(new FileInputStream("data.xlsx"));
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Row row = sheet.getRow(0);
Cell cell = row.getCell(1);
System.out.println(cell.getStringCellValue());
workbook.close();

medium

A. TestData

B. null

C. 0

D. Throws NullPointerException

Solution

1. Step 1: Access the correct cell value

   The code accesses row 0, cell 1, which contains the string "TestData".

2. Step 2: Print the string cell value

   Calling getStringCellValue() on that cell returns "TestData", which is printed.

3. Final Answer:

   TestData -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Cell value = "TestData" printed [OK]

Hint: getStringCellValue() returns cell text directly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming cell is null and causes exception
• Using getNumericCellValue() on string cell
• Confusing row and column indexes

4. Identify the error in the following code snippet that reads an Excel file using Apache POI:

FileInputStream fis = new FileInputStream("data.xlsx");
Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(fis);
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Row row = sheet.getRow(0);
Cell cell = row.getCell(0);
System.out.println(cell.getStringCellValue());
// Missing workbook.close()

medium

A. WorkbookFactory.create() cannot accept FileInputStream

B. getSheetAt(0) should be getSheet("Sheet1")

C. FileInputStream should be closed after use

D. getStringCellValue() cannot be called on numeric cells

Solution

1. Step 1: Check resource management

   The code opens FileInputStream but does not close it, which can cause resource leaks.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct usage of WorkbookFactory and methods

   WorkbookFactory.create accepts FileInputStream, getSheetAt(0) is valid, and getStringCellValue() is fine if cell is string.

3. Final Answer:

   FileInputStream should be closed after use -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Always close streams to avoid leaks [OK]

Hint: Always close FileInputStream and Workbook after use [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to close FileInputStream
• Assuming WorkbookFactory.create rejects streams
• Confusing sheet access methods

5. You want to read multiple rows from an Excel sheet and store the first column values into a List<String>. Which approach correctly reads all rows except the header row using Apache POI?

hard

A. Use a for loop from 1 to sheet.getPhysicalNumberOfRows(), get each row's cell(1) string value, add to list

B. Use a for loop from 0 to sheet.getLastRowNum(), get each row's cell(0) numeric value, add to list

C. Use a while loop with sheet.getPhysicalNumberOfRows(), get cell(1) string value, add to list

D. Use a for loop from 1 to sheet.getLastRowNum(), get each row's cell(0) string value, add to list

Solution

1. Step 1: Skip header row and loop through rows

   Start loop at 1 to skip header (row 0), loop until sheet.getLastRowNum() to cover all rows.

2. Step 2: Access first column cell and get string value

   Get cell at index 0 (first column), call getStringCellValue(), and add to list.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a for loop from 1 to sheet.getLastRowNum(), get each row's cell(0) string value, add to list -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Loop rows from 1, get cell(0) string values [OK]

Hint: Start loop at 1 to skip header, get cell(0) string values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting loop at 0 and including header
• Using wrong cell index (1 instead of 0)
• Using numeric value for string cells