---
title: "Settings"
description: "The Output key of the project file — the short form, the list form, file names, the timestamp, databases"
url: "https://docs.justcat.it/reference/outputs/settings/"
---
# Settings


Outputs are requested in the project file under the root key `Output` (also `Outputs`). The key is a root setting like `Threads` — at the very beginning of the line, not inside a test or a data source. It takes one of two forms.

## Short form — formats only

A string: one or more format tokens, separated by commas. Each becomes a file with the default name in the default directory.

```yaml
Output: xlsx, json, junit
```

Tokens: `xlsx` · `json` · `yaml` · `trx` · `junit`. Any other token fails the open with `Unknown format of output file: …`.

## List form — one item per output

A list of items. Each item is either a **file** (`Format`, optionally `File`) or a **database** (`Database` plus `Table` or `Procedure`). The two kinds mix in one list; a project may have any number of items.


**Properties**



Format
: xlsx

File
: LatestTestResults.xlsx





Format
: json

File
: Z:\TestResults\SmokeTests-{timestamp}.json





Database
: DWH

Table
: dbo.CatTestResult





**YAML**


```yaml
Output:
- Format: xlsx
  File: LatestTestResults.xlsx

- Format: json
  File: "Z:\\TestResults\\SmokeTests-{timestamp}.json"

- Database: DWH
  Table: dbo.CatTestResult
```




| Key | Applies to | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `Format` | file | The format token: `xlsx` · `json` · `yaml` · `trx` · `junit`. Required for a file output. |
| `File` | file | Path of the file to write. Relative paths are resolved against the directory of the project file; a directory that does not exist is created. Default: `TestResults/cat-test-results-{timestamp}` with the format's extension (`.xlsx`, `.json`, `.yaml`, `.trx`, `.xml` for JUnit). |
| `Path` | file | Older name for `File`; `File` wins when both are given. Still accepted, may go in a future major version. |
| `Database` | database | Name of a [data source definition](https://docs.justcat.it/reference/data-sources/properties/ "Data source properties") in the project. Its provider must be `SqlServer@1`, `SqlServer@2`, `Postgres@1` or `Oracle@1`; a data source that is not defined, or uses another provider, fails the open. |
| `Table` | database | Table to insert into, schema-qualified. One of `Table` and `Procedure` is required. |
| `Procedure` | database | Stored procedure to call instead of inserting (on Oracle: the package that holds the procedure). See [Database outputs](https://docs.justcat.it/reference/outputs/database-outputs/ "Database outputs"). |

### The timestamp

`{timestamp}` anywhere in `File` is replaced when the file is written — after the last test — with the local date and time in ISO 8601 form, colons replaced by dashes so it is a valid file name: `2026-08-21T09-06-44.7333889`. Without it, every run overwrites the same file, which is what a "latest results" file wants.

## Where the setting is read

CAT reads the outputs when it opens the project, not when it writes them — a bad data source name, an unknown format or a plan that does not allow the format all fail the open, before any test runs. The Starter and Professional plans write MS Excel only: every other `Format`, and every `Database` item, is refused on those plans with a message that says what the Team plan adds.

## Related

* [Overview](https://docs.justcat.it/reference/outputs/overview/ "Overview") — the formats.
* [Database outputs](https://docs.justcat.it/reference/outputs/database-outputs/ "Database outputs") — `Table` and `Procedure` in detail.
* [Root settings](https://docs.justcat.it/reference/project-file/root-settings/ "Root settings") — `Output` among the other project-level keys.