How to Pass an Empty String to a Cucumber DataTable

What is the correct method to pass an empty string to a DataTable in Cucumber?

| column_name |
|             |

In Cucumber, DataTables are a powerful feature that allows you to represent tabular data in your scenarios. Passing an empty string into a DataTable is straightforward, but ensuring it is interpreted correctly may require attention to detail. This guide explains how to do it properly.

Scenario: Pass empty string to DataTable
  Given the following data:
    | column_name |
    |             |  // This is an empty string

Causes

• Incorrect formatting of the DataTable leading to unintended interpretations.
• Not understanding how empty values are handled in Gherkin syntax.

Solutions

• Use a single row with an empty column placeholder, e.g., '| | ' for table representation.
• Explicitly define the columns even when passing empty strings to avoid confusion.

Mistake: Not including a header row in the DataTable.

Solution: Always include a header row even if values are empty.

Mistake: Using multiple spaces or characters in the empty cell.

Solution: Use a simple empty space or just omit any character for a true empty string.

Mistake: Assuming Cucumber will interpret an empty string automatically.

Solution: Explicitly specify an empty cell in the DataTable to avoid ambiguity.