How to Import WSDL File into Postman and Test SOAP Web Services

Learn how to import a WSDL file into Postman and use the generated collection to test SOAP web services with ease.

Postman is a popular tool for testing and developing APIs, but did you know that it also supports SOAP web services? SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a standard protocol for exchanging structured data between different systems using XML-based messages. SOAP web services are described by WSDL (Web Services Description Language) files, which define the available operations and their input/output parameters. In this article, you will learn how to import a WSDL file into Postman and use the generated collection to test SOAP web services. You will also learn how to troubleshoot some common issues that may arise when working with WSDL files in Postman.

What is a WSDL File and Why Do You Need It?

A WSDL file is an XML document that describes the interface of a SOAP web service. It specifies the following information:

• The service name and its location (endpoint)
• The operations (methods) that the service provides and their names, parameters, and return values
• The data types and structures that the service uses and expects
• The message formats and protocols that the service supports

A WSDL file is essential for testing and consuming SOAP web services, as it provides the necessary information for constructing valid requests and parsing responses. Without a WSDL file, you would have to manually craft the SOAP envelopes and guess the correct syntax and semantics of the service.

How to Import a WSDL File into Postman

Postman supports both WSDL 1.1 and 2.0 versions, and can import WSDL files from local or remote sources. To import a WSDL file into Postman, follow these steps:

1. Open Postman and click on the Import button in the top left corner.
2. Select the Link tab and enter the URL of the WSDL file, or select the File tab and browse to the location of the WSDL file on your computer.
3. Click on the Continue button and review the details of the WSDL file.
4. Click on the Import button to create a collection based on the WSDL file.

Postman will automatically generate a collection with the name of the service and a folder for each operation. Each folder will contain a request template with the SOAP envelope and the required parameters. You can modify the request parameters and headers as needed, and send the request to the service endpoint.

How to Test SOAP Web Services in Postman

After importing a WSDL file into Postman, you can use the generated collection to test SOAP web services. To test a SOAP web service in Postman, follow these steps:

1. Select the operation that you want to test from the collection and open the request template.
2. Fill in the values for the input parameters in the request body. You can use variables, dynamic values, or data files to populate the parameters.
3. Optionally, add any additional headers or authentication details to the request.
4. Click on the Send button to execute the request and view the response.
5. Inspect the response status, headers, and body. You can use the Pretty or Raw tabs to format the response, or the XML tab to validate the response against the WSDL schema.
6. Optionally, add tests, assertions, or scripts to the request to verify the response or perform additional actions.

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with WSDL Files in Postman

Sometimes, you may encounter some issues when importing or testing WSDL files in Postman. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: The WSDL file cannot be imported or is invalid

This may happen if the WSDL file is malformed, corrupted, or inaccessible. To fix this, check the following:

• The URL or the file path of the WSDL file is correct and reachable.
• The WSDL file is well-formed and follows the WSDL specification.
• The WSDL file does not contain any syntax errors or missing elements.
• The WSDL file does not reference any external schemas or files that are unavailable or incompatible.

Problem 2: The request times out or fails

This may happen if the service endpoint is down, busy, or unreachable. To fix this, check the following:

• The service endpoint URL is correct and matches the one specified in the WSDL file.
• The network connection is stable and allows access to the service endpoint.
• The request parameters and headers are valid and conform to the service contract.
• The request timeout is sufficient and can be adjusted in the Postman settings.

Problem 3: The response is empty or unexpected

This may happen if the service returns an error, a fault, or a different output than expected. To fix this, check the following:

• The response status code and headers indicate the success or failure of the request.
• The response body contains the expected output or an error message or a fault code and reason.
• The response format and protocol match the ones specified in the WSDL file.
• The response schema and data types are consistent with the WSDL file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the difference between WSDL 1.1 and 2.0?

Answer: WSDL 1.1 and 2.0 are two versions of the WSDL specification, with some differences in syntax, semantics, and features. WSDL 1.1 is more widely used and supported, but it is not an official standard. WSDL 2.0 is an official standard, but it is less compatible and adopted.

Question: How can I import multiple WSDL files into Postman?

Answer: You can import multiple WSDL files into Postman by repeating the import process for each file. Postman will create a separate collection for each WSDL file, and you can rename or organize them as you wish.

Question: How can I export a WSDL file from Postman?

Answer: You cannot export a WSDL file from Postman, as Postman does not generate or modify WSDL files. Postman only imports and uses WSDL files to create collections and requests.

Question: How can I share or publish a WSDL file or a collection in Postman?

Answer: You can share or publish a WSDL file or a collection in Postman by using the following features:

• Workspaces: You can create and join workspaces to collaborate with other Postman users on WSDL files and collections.
• Sharing: You can share a WSDL file or a collection with other Postman users by using the share link or the share button.
• Publishing: You can publish a WSDL file or a collection to the Postman API Network or to a public workspace to make it discoverable and accessible to anyone.

Summary

In this article, you learned how to import a WSDL file into Postman and use the generated collection to test SOAP web services. You also learned how to troubleshoot some common issues that may arise when working with WSDL files in Postman. Postman is a powerful and versatile tool that can help you work with different types of APIs and services, including SOAP web services. You can use Postman to test, debug, document, and monitor your SOAP web services with ease and efficiency.

Disclaimer: The article is not intended to be a comprehensive or authoritative guide on the topic, but rather a helpful and informative resource. The article may contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, and the user is advised to verify the information and consult the official documentation before using Postman or any other tool or service. The article is not endorsed by or affiliated with Postman or any other entity.