5 Ways To Send Multipart Form Data With Postman

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Sending multipart form data is a common requirement when working with APIs, and Postman is one of the most popular tools for API testing. In this article, we'll explore five ways to send multipart form data with Postman.

Multipart form data is used to send large files or binary data along with text data in a single request. This is particularly useful when working with APIs that require file uploads, such as image or video processing services.

Understanding Multipart Form Data

Before we dive into the methods, let's quickly understand what multipart form data is. Multipart form data is a type of HTTP request that allows you to send multiple files or binary data along with text data in a single request. This is achieved by dividing the request into multiple parts, each containing a different type of data.

Method 1: Using the Form-Data Option

The easiest way to send multipart form data with Postman is to use the form-data option. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open Postman and create a new request.
• Select the "Body" tab and click on the "form-data" option.
• Click on the "Key" field and enter the name of the field you want to send.
• Click on the "Value" field and enter the value of the field.
• To add a file, click on the "File" option and select the file you want to upload.
• Repeat the process for each field and file you want to send.

Method 2: Using the Raw Option

Another way to send multipart form data with Postman is to use the raw option. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open Postman and create a new request.
• Select the "Body" tab and click on the "raw" option.
• Select the "Text" option and enter the following syntax:

{ "key1": "value1", "key2": "value2" }

*   To add a file, use the following syntax:
    ```
{
  "key1": "value1",
  "key2": "@file.txt"
}

This will prompt you to select a file to upload.

Method 3: Using the Binary Option

You can also send multipart form data with Postman using the binary option. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open Postman and create a new request.
• Select the "Body" tab and click on the "binary" option.
• Select the file you want to upload.
• To add additional fields, click on the "Key" field and enter the name of the field.
• Click on the "Value" field and enter the value of the field.

Method 4: Using the GraphQL Option

If you're working with GraphQL APIs, you can send multipart form data using the GraphQL option. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open Postman and create a new request.
• Select the "Body" tab and click on the "GraphQL" option.
• Enter your GraphQL query in the query field.
• To add variables, click on the "Variables" field and enter the following syntax:

{ "key1": "value1", "key2": "@file.txt" }

    This will prompt you to select a file to upload.


  


### Method 5: Using the cURL Option

Finally, you can send multipart form data with Postman using the cURL option. To do this, follow these steps:

*   Open Postman and create a new request.
*   Select the "Code" option and click on the "cURL" option.
*   Enter your cURL command in the following syntax:
    ```bash
curl -X POST \
  https://example.com/api/endpoint \
  -H 'Content-Type: multipart/form-data' \
  -F 'key1=value1' \
  -F 'key2=@file.txt'

This will send a multipart form data request to the specified endpoint.

Conclusion

Sending multipart form data with Postman is a straightforward process that can be achieved using one of the five methods outlined above. Whether you're working with REST APIs, GraphQL APIs, or simply need to send files along with text data, Postman has got you covered.

We hope this article has been informative and helpful in your journey to becoming a Postman master! If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.