Introduction to Custom Keywords

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

In addition to built-in keywords, users can define custom keywords to extend the capability of Katalon Studio. Once created, custom keywords can be used when implementing test cases just like other built-in keywords. 

Create a Package

A package is a namespace that organizes a set of related classes and interfaces. Because software written in the Java programming language or similar languages can be composed of hundreds or _thousands _of individual classes, it makes sense to keep things organized by placing related classes and interfaces into packages.

1. Select File > New > Package from the main menu. The New Keyword Package dialog will be displayed. Enter the name for your package and click OK.
   

2. A new package is created under Keywords of Katalon Studio accordingly.
   

Create a Custom Keyword

1. Select File > New > Keyword from the main menu. The New Keyword dialog will be displayed. Enter the name for your keyword and specify a package for the keyword. Click OK.

   Since version 5.4, Katalon Studio provides user option to generate sample custom keywords for Web, Mobile and API Testing.

   Refer to this guide: https://docs.katalon.com/x/3QHR

   

   Attention

   By default, a class name cannot start with a number, contain spaces, or have special characters. The Java naming convention suggests the user to create a class name using a noun or a noun phrase, with the first letter of each word capitalized, to better manage the project.

2. A new keyword is created under the specified package accordingly.
   

3. Enter the following block of code in your class to define one custom keyword:

   @Keyword
   def keywordName(parameters…) {
      // enter your code here
      // you can use either Groovy or Java      
   }
   

   where:

   Item	Description
   @Keyword	The annotation to indicate that the block of code below is the definition of a keyword.
   keywordName	The name that you would like to use for your custom keyword
   parameters	The list of parameters that would be used in the custom keyword

   For example:
   

4. Save the Keyword file when you're done.

Custom keywords in Manual view

Follow the steps below in order to use your defined custom keywords in Manual view of a Test Case:

1. Open a test case in Manual view, then select to add Custom Keyword from command toolbar.
   

2. A new test step is added with a list of all defined custom keywords. Select your recently created keyword here.
   

Custom keywords in Scripting view

Follow the steps below in order to use your defined custom keywords in Scripting view of a test case:

• The Class CustomKeywords of Katalon Studio allows you to access all custom keywords. Enter the following syntax into the script editor:

  CustomKeywords.
  

• The Content Assist function will be invoked immediately after you type the dot character. Content Assist provides users with the context-sensitive suggestions for code completion. Therefore, all the custom keywords defined in your test project will be displayed as below:

• Select the recently created keyword and provide all parameters as required.

The following API docs may prove useful when working with custom keywords: