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📥 Download files

Test your web application's file download functionality to ensure users can successfully download files, reports, and other content.

Overview

File downloads are a common feature in web applications, from document exports to media downloads. Wopee.io helps you test these download functionalities to ensure they work correctly across different browsers and scenarios.

Types of downloadable files to test

Common web app downloads

  • Documents: PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations
  • Reports: Generated reports, analytics exports, user data exports
  • Media files: Images, videos, audio files, graphics
  • Data exports: CSV files, JSON exports, database backups
  • Software: Installers, updates, mobile apps
  • Templates: Document templates, configuration files

Dynamic vs static downloads

  • Static files: Pre-existing files stored on the server
  • Dynamic files: Generated on-demand based on user data or requests
  • Streaming downloads: Large files downloaded in chunks
  • Authenticated downloads: Files requiring login or permissions

How to test file downloads

Creating download tests with AI

Use prompts to generate tests that verify download functionality:

Use prompt for download testing

Create tests that verify file download functionality with specific prompts.

Create test with following steps:

- Navigate to `https://example.com/reports`
- Click the "Download PDF Report" button
- Verify that a PDF file was downloaded
- Check that the downloaded file is not empty

Manual test creation

  1. Navigate to your project in Wopee Commander: Project > Analysis > Test
  2. Click "Add new user story" or "Add new test" for existing user story
  3. Add steps that include download interactions:
  4. Click download buttons or links
  5. Verify download completion
  6. Check file properties (size, format, content)
  7. Save and run the test

Testing different download scenarios

Create comprehensive tests for various download patterns:

Test direct file download:
- Navigate to `https://example.com/files`
- Click on "sample-document.pdf" link
- Verify PDF file downloads successfully
- Check file size is greater than 0 bytes

Form-based downloads

Test report generation and download:
- Navigate to `https://example.com/reports`
- Select date range from "2024-01-01" to "2024-01-31"
- Click "Generate Report" button
- Wait for report generation
- Click "Download Report" button
- Verify CSV file downloads with correct data

Download verification methods

What to verify in download tests

When testing file downloads, verify these aspects:

Verify download properties:
- Check that file was downloaded
- Verify file size is greater than 0 bytes
- Confirm correct file extension (.pdf, .csv, .xlsx)
- Check filename matches expected pattern

Verify download content:
- Open downloaded PDF and check it contains data
- Verify CSV has correct headers and data rows
- Check image files display correctly
- Confirm document formatting is preserved

Test download performance:
- Measure time from click to download completion
- Verify download doesn't timeout
- Check progress indicators work correctly
- Test download cancellation functionality

AI testing agent for downloads

Automatic download handling

When using AI testing agent, file downloads are automatically handled:

  • Download detection: Automatically detects when downloads are triggered
  • File verification: Checks that files are successfully downloaded
  • Content validation: Basic verification that files contain data
  • Format checking: Confirms file extensions match expected types

The AI agent will automatically:

  • Click download buttons and links
  • Wait for download completion
  • Verify downloaded files exist
  • Check basic file properties (size, format)
  • Report download success or failure

Advanced download testing

For more complex download scenarios, use specific prompts:

Testing authenticated downloads

Test secure file download:
- Login with username "testuser" and password "password123"
- Navigate to "My Documents" section
- Click "Download Confidential Report"
- Verify PDF downloads successfully
- Logout and verify download link no longer works

Testing bulk downloads

Test multiple file download:
- Navigate to file gallery
- Select 3 images using checkboxes
- Click "Download Selected" button
- Verify ZIP file downloads containing all 3 images
- Extract ZIP and confirm all files are present

Testing download permissions

Test download access control:
- Login as regular user
- Navigate to admin reports section
- Attempt to download "Admin Only Report"
- Verify access denied message appears
- Login as admin user
- Verify same report downloads successfully

Download test scenarios

E-commerce downloads

Test digital product delivery and receipts:

Test digital product download:
- Add digital product to cart
- Complete purchase process
- Go to "My Downloads" page
- Click download link for purchased item
- Verify digital product file downloads
- Test download limit restrictions

Report generation testing

Test dynamic report creation:

Test custom report generation:
- Navigate to analytics dashboard
- Select "Last 30 days" date range
- Choose "Sales Report" type
- Click "Generate Report" button
- Wait for "Report Ready" notification
- Click "Download Report" button
- Verify Excel file downloads with correct data

Media download testing

Test image and video downloads:

Test media gallery downloads:
- Navigate to photo gallery
- Click on high-resolution image
- Click "Download Original" button
- Verify high-quality image downloads
- Check file size is larger than thumbnail
- Test download of different image formats

Best practices

Download testing best practices

  • Test different file types: Verify downloads work for PDFs, images, documents, etc.
  • Check file integrity: Ensure downloaded files are not corrupted
  • Test download limits: Verify restrictions on file size, download attempts, etc.
  • Browser compatibility: Test downloads across different browsers
  • Network conditions: Test downloads with slow/unstable connections
  • Authentication: Verify download permissions and access controls

Common download patterns to test

  • Static files linked directly from pages
  • Right-click "Save As" functionality
  • Download progress indicators

Generated file downloads

  • Reports created on-demand
  • Export functionality from databases
  • Customized documents based on user input

Authenticated downloads

  • Login-protected files
  • Role-based download permissions
  • Session-dependent file access

Bulk download operations

  • Multiple file selection and download
  • ZIP archive creation and download
  • Batch export functionality

Troubleshooting download tests

Download not working

  • Check if download button/link is correctly identified
  • Verify the element selector is accurate
  • Ensure download triggers are properly clicked
  • Check for JavaScript-based download mechanisms

Download verification fails

  • Increase wait time for large file downloads
  • Check if download location is accessible
  • Verify file naming patterns match expectations
  • Ensure browser download settings allow automatic downloads

Authentication issues

  • Verify login credentials are correct
  • Check if session hasn't expired during test
  • Ensure user has proper permissions for file access
  • Test download links work manually first

Browser-specific issues

  • Some browsers block automatic downloads
  • Different browsers have different download behaviors
  • Test across multiple browser types
  • Check browser download directory settings

Testing considerations

  • Large files may timeout during automated tests
  • Some download types require specific browser configurations
  • Network speed affects download test reliability
  • Browser popup blockers may interfere with downloads

Need help?

For download testing issues, contact support at help@wopee.io or check our community discussions.