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title: "Test"
canonical: "https://docs.getxray.app/space/XRAYCLOUD/44565156/Test"
format: markdown
---
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# Introduction
In Software Engineering, a Test is a sequence of steps coupled with conditions or variables, Test inputs, and an expected result. It is intended to establish a piece of the system's quality, performance, or reliability, i.e., the Test target. Usually, every [Requirement](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44566527) or objective the Test target is expected to achieve needs at least one Test. The success of the Test is determined by comparing predicted and actual results. In Xray, a Test is represented by a Test Work Item.
## Test Types
There are four default Test Types:
- **Cucumber**: of the [Gherkin](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565320) kind.
- **Generic**: of the [Unstructured](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565327) kind.
- **Manual**: of the [Steps](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565316) kind.
- Exploratory.
> ℹ️ You may add other values for the Test Type in Xray's [Global](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565853) or [Space settings](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44567037).
# Operations
## Creating a Test Work Item
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> On your Jira Cloud instance, click the *Create* button (Figure 1 - 1).
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> A modal will open (Figure 1).
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> Select the *Space* (mandatory; Figure 1 - 2).
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> On the *Space Type*, select *Test *(mandatory; Figure 1 - 3).
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> Type a *Summary* (mandatory; Figure 1 - 4).
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> Complete all remaining fields if necessary.
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> Once you're done, click the *Create* button (Figure 1 - 6).
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> > ⚠️ If you select the *Create another* option (Figure 1 - 5), a new **modal** appears. This new Work Item will be automatically pre-populated with your previous Test Work Item details while leaving the *Summary* field blank.
## Editing a Test Work Item
> ℹ️ Xray Test Work Item sections support inline editing similar to Jira native and custom fields inline editing. This prevents full-page reloads when modifying fields.
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> ℹ️ You can only inline-edit Xray fields if you have permission to edit the Test Work Item.
### Inline Edit Fields
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> Go to the Test Work Item you want to edit (Figure 2).
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> To inline edit a field, hover over the field view area and click it.
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> The following Test fields support inline editing:
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> - **Type**: the Test Work Item Type (Figure 2 - 1).
> - **Definition:** the automated generic Test definition (only visible for Generic Tests).
#### Inline-editing Automated Test Work Items - Cucumber Test
- Hover over the *Test Type*, click it, and change it to another available Type (Figure 2 - 1).
- Hover over the *Scenario* field, click it, and edit its contents (Figure 2 - 2).
#### Inline-editing Automated Test Work Items - Generic Test
- Hover over the *Test Type*, click it, and change it to another available Type (Figure 3 - 1).
- Hover over the *Definition* field, click it, and edit its contents (Figure 3 - 2).
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Manual Test Steps
To edit the steps of a Manual Test, please check [this](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565316) page.
### Changing the Type of a Test
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> When the Type of a Test is changed by clicking the desired option from the menu (Figure 3 - 1), **the details of the previous information along with the associated **[Preconditions](https://docs.getxray.app/space/XRAYCLOUD/44565159)** will be lost.**
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> When changing the Test Type, you will see a warning message (Figure 4).
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> Click Confirm to proceed (Figure 4 - 1).
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> > ❌ This operation is permanent and not reversible.
## Cloning a Test
Cloning a Test Work Item creates a new Test with all the information of the cloned Test, except its executions. Therefore, the cloned Work Item will not be associated with any [Test Execution](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565117) Work Item.
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> Go to the Test Work Item you want to clone.
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> Click the ellipsis icon (Figure 5 - 1) and then *Clone* (Figure 5 - 2).
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> A modal will open for you to confirm the cloning of the Test Work Item (Figure 6). You can use the boxes to include Links/Clone sprint value (Figure 6 - 1).
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> Click *Clone* to proceed (Figure 6 - 2).
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> After the Work Item is created, you will see a success message with the cloned Work Item information and a link for you to open the Work Item (Figure 7 - 1).
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> > ℹ️ On some occasions, the cloned Work Item page may open before the Xray information is cloned and, as a result, the new Test will appear empty. When this happens, you will see a warning message with a *Refresh issue* button (Figure 8 - 1). By clicking that button, the Issue page will be reloaded, and the cloned information will be visible.
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## Moving a Test Work Item
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> Go to the Test Work Item you want to move.
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> Click the ellipsis icon (Figure 9 - 1) and then *Move* (Figure 9 - 3).
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> A new screen (Figure 10) will open for you to set these details: destination Space and Work Item type (Figure 10 - 1), and for you to confirm these changes (Figure 10 - 2).
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## Xray History
Any changes to the Test data are recorded in the Xray History section. You can see them on the Work Item by scrolling down and clicking the *Xray History* option (Figure 11).
These updates include:
- Changing the Test Type.
- Changing the Test Definition or Steps.
- Linking the Test with other entities (Preconditions, [Test Plans](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565153), [Test Sets](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565163), etc.).
- Moving the Test between folders on the [Test Repository](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44565166).
- Attachment addition.
- Test Execution.
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> If you have questions or technical issues, please [contact the Support team via the Customer Portal (Jira service management)](https://jira.getxray.app/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/user/login?destination=portal%2F2%2Fcreate%2F28) or [send us a message using the in-app chat](https://getxraydocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/XRAYCLOUD/pages/44577312).