In software development, automated testing is crucial to ensure code quality and functionality. Visual Studio generates test results in TRX files, which are XML-based and can be challenging to interpret directly. Converting these TRX files into HTML reports enhances readability and accessibility, allowing for more effective analysis and sharing of test outcomes.
What You Need Before Getting Started
Before you begin the conversion process, ensure you have the following:
- Visual Studio: Installed on your system to generate TRX files from your test projects.
- Trxer Tool: A utility that transforms TRX files into user-friendly HTML reports. You can download it from the Forked Trxer GitHub repository for Visual Studio +2022.
- Basic Command-Line Knowledge: Familiarity with executing commands in the command prompt or terminal.
Trxer Not Working with Visual Studio 2022+? Here’s the Fix for TRX to HTML Conversion
If you’re trying to convert TRX to HTML reports using Trxer and you’re working with Visual Studio 2022 or later, you may encounter an error during the conversion process.
Common Error Message from Trxer
When using the original TrxerConsole.exe, you might see this error:
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Length cannot be less than zero.This error occurs when Trxer tries to process a .trx file generated by Visual Studio 2022 or newer, which uses a slightly updated XML format.
Why Trxer Fails with Newer Visual Studio Versions
The original Trxer tool was built to handle TRX files from earlier Visual Studio versions. With the release of Visual Studio 2022, Microsoft introduced subtle changes in the .trx schema that are incompatible with the existing Trxer parsing logic.
Solution: Use a Patched Version of Trxer
To successfully convert Visual Studio 2022 TRX files to HTML, use this updated version of Trxer that includes a fix for the schema mismatch:
➡️ Download Fixed Trxer from gorkalertxundi/trxer on GitHub
This forked version resolves the compatibility issue and ensures smooth conversion from .trx to .html.
Understanding TRX Files: What Are They?
A TRX file is an XML-based format used by Visual Studio to store the results of unit tests. It contains detailed information about each test, including its execution status, duration, and any error messages or stack traces. While comprehensive, the XML structure isn’t easily readable, making it less practical for quick assessments or sharing with stakeholders.
Top Reasons to Convert TRX Files to HTML
Converting TRX files to HTML offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Readability: HTML reports present test results in a structured and visually appealing manner, making it easier to identify passed, failed, or skipped tests at a glance.
- Improved Accessibility: HTML reports can be viewed in any web browser without the need for specialized software, facilitating easier sharing among team members and stakeholders.
- Graphical Representations: Tools like Trxer incorporate graphs and charts into the HTML reports, providing visual summaries of test outcomes, which aid in quick analysis.
Trxer for TRX to HTML Conversion
While there are several tools available for converting TRX files to HTML, Trxer stands out due to its user-friendly features. Trxer transforms TRX files into clear and navigable HTML reports. Features include easy navigation through test classes, detailed views of outputs, messages, stack traces, and test durations. It also offers graphical representations of test statuses, enhancing the overall readability of test results.
Step-by-Step Guide: Convert TRX to HTML Easily
By following these steps, you can efficiently convert TRX files into comprehensive HTML reports, facilitating better analysis and communication of your test outcomes.
Generate the TRX File:
- Open your test project in Visual Studio.
- Run your unit tests.
- Upon completion, Visual Studio will generate a TRX file containing the test results.
Download and Set Up Trxer:
- Visit the Forked Trxer GitHub repository to download the latest release.
- Extract the downloaded files to a convenient location on your system.
Add the .exe as a new windows path variable:
- Open the Start Menu, search for “Environment Variables”, and click on “Edit the system environment variables”.
- In the System Properties window, click the “Environment Variables…” button.
- Under the “System variables” section, find and select the “Path” variable, then click “Edit…”.
- In the Edit Environment Variable window, click “New”, and add the path to the folder where you extracted
TrxerConsole.exe. - Click OK on all windows to apply the changes.
Convert TRX to HTML Using TrxerConsole:
- Open the command prompt.
- Execute the following command:
TrxerConsole.exe path\to\your\testresults.trxReplace path\to\your\testresults.trx with the actual path to your TRX file
View the HTML Report:
- After running the command, Trxer will generate an HTML report in the same directory as the TRX file.
- Open the HTML file in your preferred web browser to review the test results.
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