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Creating tasks

In addition to test automation, Robot Framework can be used for other automation purposes, including robotic process automation (RPA). It has always been possible, but Robot Framework 3.1 added official support for automating tasks, not only tests. For most parts creating tasks works the same way as creating tests and the only real difference is in terminology. Tasks can also be organized into suites exactly like test cases.

Task syntax

Tasks are created based on the available keywords exactly like test cases, and the task syntax is in general identical to the test case syntax. The main difference is that tasks are created in Task sections instead of Test Case sections:

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*** Tasks ***
Process invoice
    Read information from PDF
    Validate information
    Submit information to backend system
    Validate information is visible in web UI

It is an error to have both tests and tasks in same file.

Settings that can be used in the task section are exactly the same as in the test case section. In the setting section it is possible to use Task Setup, Task Teardown, Task Template and Task Timeout instead of their Test variants.