# Accessing fixtures in tests **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [June 8, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/accessing-fixtures-in-tests/95679 "2006-06-08T19:42:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/accessing-fixtures-in-tests/95679/1 "2006-06-08T19:42:14Z")
hi all, my first attempt at tests and i’m having trouble accessing the fixture values, if anyone can make it suggestions. i have news\_release\_test.rb, using new\_releases.yml as the fixture file according to the agile book, i should be able to access the fixture properties within my test as such: assert\_equal @first\_test.id , @news\_release.id unfortunately, i try that and get: “test\_create(NewsReleaseTest): RuntimeError: Called id for nil, which would mistakenly be 4 – if you really wanted the id of nil, use object\_id” after looking on [api.rubyonrails.com](http://api.rubyonrails.com), i saw and tried this: @news\_releases[“first\_test”][“id”] and now i get the following error: “NoMethodError: You have a nil object when you didn’t expect it! You might have expected an instance of Array. The error occured while evaluating nil.[]” thanks in advance, – All the best, Matthew Collins Senior Developer MindComet Corporation Orlando ? Atlanta ? New York VISIT OUR BLOGS! Corporate Blog - [http://blogs.mindcomet.com](http://blogs.mindcomet.com) Culture Blog - [http://www.cakeplow.com](http://www.cakeplow.com) The Relationship Agency? 2701 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 125 Maitland, FL 32751 v 800.668.1761 x316 f 407.838.1011 AIM mattatmindcomet > **[mindcomet.com](http://www.mindcomet.com)** > > This domain may be for sale! IMPORTANT NOTICE: The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any further disclosure or use, distribution, or copying of this message or any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail message in error, please delete the e-mail, and either e-mail the sender at the above address or notify us at our telephone number 407.838.1010. Internet e-mail may be subject to delays, non-delivery and unauthorized alterations, therefore opinions, conclusions and other information expressed are not binding upon MindComet Corporation unless otherwise notified independently of this message. ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/accessing-fixtures-in-tests/95679/2 "2006-06-08T19:52:00Z")
Hello. In your test\_helper.rb file have you got… self.use\_instantiated\_fixtures = true set? ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/accessing-fixtures-in-tests/95679/3 "2006-06-08T20:05:26Z")
yeah, that fixed it. thanks.