### [Testing Authorize.Net Payments](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-test-authorize-net-payments-before-accepting-real-payments/)

**Published:** November 23, 2023
**Author:** David Ozokoye

**Excerpt:** Learn how to test your Authorize.Net payment forms.

**Content:**

Authorize.Net is an Elite Feature

 Unlock Authorize.Net and other powerful features to grow your business.

 [ Get WPForms Elite ](https://wpforms.com/pricing/) 

Do you want to test your Authorize.Net connection before accepting real payments through your WordPress forms? Testing your connection lets you ensure that it’s working properly and gives you the chance to fix any errors before going live.

This tutorial will show you how to perform Authorize.Net test transactions with WPForms.

- [Enabling Authorize.Net Test Mode](#test-mode)
- [Generating Test Keys](#generate-keys)
- [Creating a Form to Test Payments](#create-form)
- [Enabling Authorize.Net Payments](#enable-payments)
- [Publishing Your Form and Performing a Test](#publish-and-test)
- [Viewing Test Transactions in WPForms](#view-test-transactions-wpforms)
- [Viewing Test Transactions in Authorize.Net](#view-test)
- [Switching to Live Mode](#enable-live)

![Testing Authorize.Net Payments ](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/testing-authorize-net-payments.gif "Testing Authorize.Net Payments ")**Requirements:** You’ll need an [Elite license level](https://wpforms.com/pricing/) to access the Authorize.Net Addon.

Additionally, you’ll need to have an [SSL connection](https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/ssl/) on your site to perform transactions through your forms. In most cases, your hosting provider can help you get an SSL certificate set up on your site.

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Before you get started, make sure you’ve [installed and activated the WPForms plugin](https://wpforms.com/docs/install-wpforms-plugin/ "How"), as well as the [Authorize.Net Addon](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-install-and-use-the-authorize-net-addon-with-wpforms/ "How to Install and Use the Authorize.Net Addon With WPForms").

## Enabling Authorize.Net Test Mode

To enable test mode for your Authorize.Net integration, go to **WPForms » Settings » Payments**.

![Opening the Payments settings for WPForms](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/open-wpforms-payments-settings.png)Here, scroll down to the **Authorize.Net** section and check the **Test Mode** option to enable Test Mode.

![Enabling Authorize.Net test mode in WPForms](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/enable-test-mode-authorize-net.png)This will open up two additional fields you’ll need to fill out: **Test API Login ID** and **Test Transaction Key**.

![The fields for Authorize.Net test keys](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/authorize-net-credentials.png)## Generating Test Keys

To generate a Test API Login ID and a Test Transaction Key, you’ll first need to [log in to your Authorize.Net Sandbox account](https://sandbox.authorize.net/ "Authorize.Net Sandbox"). If you don’t already have one, go ahead and ![Setting your Authorize.Net sandbox account to Live mode](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Authorize.Net-Live-Mode.png)After ensuring that your Sandbox account is in Live mode, exit out of the overlay by clicking the **Remind Me Later** option. Then, in the left sidebar, click on **Settings**.

![Open Authorize Net account settings](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Open-Authorize-Net-account-settings.jpg)From here, click on **API Credentials and Keys**.

![Open API Credentials and Keys page in Authorize Net account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Open-API-Credentials-and-Keys-page-in-Authorize-Net-account.jpg)On the next page, copy the value next to **API Login ID**.

![Copy API Login ID from Authorize Net account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Copy-API-Login-ID-from-Authorize-Net-account.jpg)Back in your WPForms Payments settings, paste the copied value into the **Test API Login ID** field.

![Paste API Login ID into WPForms settings](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/authorize-net-test-api-login.png)Once you’ve added your Test API Login ID, you’ll need to generate a Transaction Key in your Authorize.Net Sandbox account.

To do so, switch back over to the page with your Sandbox account settings and look for the section labeled **Create New Key(s)**. Next to **Obtain**, select **New Transaction Key**. Then click the **Submit** button.

![Create new transaction key in Authorize Net account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Create-new-transaction-key-in-Authorize-Net-account.jpg)Immediately after submitting, you should see an overlay asking you to verify your identity. Click the **Request PIN** button to start this verification process.

![Requesting a pin to verify your identity in Authorize.Net](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Verify-identify-for-Authorize-Net.png)After submitting the request, check your email for the PIN. Be sure to enter the value from your email in your Authorize.Net Sandbox account, then click the **Verify PIN** button.

Once you’ve verified your identity, Authorize.Net will display your Transaction Key. Click the **Copy to Clipboard** button.

![Copy Transaction Key from Authorize Net account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Copy-Transaction-Key-from-Authorize-Net-account.jpg)Flip back over to the browser tab or window with your WPForms Payments settings. Paste the key into the **Test Transaction Key** field, then click **Save Settings**.

![Saving your payments settings after entering your Authorize.Net test transaction keys](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/enter-authorize-net-test-transactions-keys.png)## Creating a Form to Test Payments

Next, you need a form you can use to make test payments. You may [create a new form](https://wpforms.com/docs/creating-first-form/ "How to Create Your First Form") or edit an existing one.

If you’re starting from scratch, you may want to consider using our Billing / Order Form template.

![Selecting the Billing/Order Form template](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/billing-order-form-template.png)**Note:** Want to learn more about the Billing / Order Form template? See our tutorial on [using templates in WPForms](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-use-form-templates-in-wpforms/) for all the details.

Regardless of whether you choose to create a new form or edit an existing one, make sure you’ve added an **Authorize.Net** field to it.

![Adding an Authorize.Net field to a form](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/add-authorize.net-field.png)This will add a credit card field that will allow your users to make payments directly in your form.

## Enabling Authorize.Net Payments

Once you’ve set up your form, you’ll need to enable Authorize.Net payments. To do so, go to **Payments » Authorize.Net** in the form builder. Then toggle the **Enable Authorize.Net payments** option to the on position.

![Enable Authorize.Net Payments](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/enable-authorize-net-payments.png)This will open up additional settings for you to fill out. However, none of these fields are required for testing purposes, so feel free to leave them blank if you want to.

After you’ve set everything up, be sure to save your form.

For a comprehensive example, check out our [Authorize.Net Order Form Template](https://wpforms.com/templates/authorize-net-order-form-template/), which demonstrates how to set up a form with Authorize.Net integration, including product selection, coupon functionality, and detailed customer information fields.

## Publishing Your Form and Performing a Test

Once your form is set up, you can test payments out on the frontend of your site.

To do so without publishing your form to a live page, you can use the [form preview option](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-properly-test-your-wordpress-forms-before-launching-checklist/#preview "How to Properly Test Your WordPress Forms Before Launching") in WPForms, or you can [add your form to a private page or post](https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-create-a-private-post-in-wordpress/ "How to Create a Private Post in WordPress"). Then go ahead and submit a test entry of your form.

**Note:** While Authorize.Net is in test mode, you will not be able to use real credit card details in your test form. Instead, you’ll need to enter a special test card number provided by Authorize.Net.

To find a list of test credit card numbers and CCV codes, be sure to check out [Authorize.Net’s testing guide](https://developer.authorize.net/hello_world/testing_guide.html).

## Viewing Test Transactions in WPForms

To view and manage all test transactions and their details, simply go to **WPForms** » **Payments** and turn on the **Test Data** option.

![viewing-payments-test-data](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/view-payments-test-data.png "Viewing Payments Test Data")For full details on viewing test and live payment information, understanding transaction trends, adjusting for different currencies, and more, check out our guide to [viewing and managing payments](https://wpforms.com/docs/viewing-and-managing-payments/).

**Note:** Looking to offer discounts to your customers through coupon codes? Check out our [Coupons addon tutorial](https://wpforms.com/docs/coupons-addon/) for all the details.

## Viewing Test Transactions in Authorize.Net

By default, Authorize.Net will send you a receipt via email for test transactions. However, if you’d also like to view your test transaction in your Sandbox account, click on **Unsettled Transactions** in the lefthand sidebar to view recent transactions.

![Opening unsettled transactions in an Authorize.Net Sandbox account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/authorize-net-unsettled-transactions.png)In this section, you’ll be able to see the test transaction you submitted. To view more details about the transaction, click on the Transaction ID number for a specific entry.

![Viewing a test transaction in an Authorize.Net Sandbox account](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Test-Transaction-ID-in-Authorize.Net_.png)## Switching to Live Mode

After you’ve confirmed that your Authorize.Net payments are working as they should, you’re ready to switch your connection to Live mode. To do so, simply head over to your Authorize.Net settings in WPForms and uncheck the box labeled **Test Mode**.

![Turning off Test Mode for Authorize.Net in WPForms](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/authorize-net-production-mode.png)**Note:** If you haven’t already, you’ll need to [generate keys for Live Mode](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-install-and-use-the-authorize-net-addon-with-wpforms/#connect-authorize) in your Authorize.Net Merchant account.

Once you’ve unchecked this box, be sure to click the **Save Settings** button.

That’s it! Now you can test out your Authorize.Net connection in WPForms.

Next, would you like to allow users to choose which payment method they use during checkout? See our tutorial on [allowing users to choose a payment method in your forms](https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-allow-users-to-choose-a-payment-method-on-your-form/ "How to Allow Users to Choose a Payment Method In Your Form") for more details.

**Categories:** Payments, Payment Processing

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