I'm able to run TestNG unit tests in IntelliJ and see the pass/fail output in a window; this is without using any testng.xml file. I can also run the tests in the command-line using maven, i.e. "mvn clean test -Dgroups=fast", and that works fine.
I've created a testng.xml file and added it to my project's directory, but it doesn't seem to have any effect.
How do I integrate the usage of a testng.xml file to define my test execution within IntelliJ IDEA 9?
1.Go to Intellij>Preferences>Plugins>Verify that TestNG-J is enabled.
2.Configure the testNG xml file and provide it as an external source by going to edit configurations and selecting suite and providing the path of the testNG xml you created.
Follow this link - http://www.jetbrains.com/idea/webhelp/run-debug-configuration-testng.html#config
There is an option just before the run icon that allows you to add the testng.xml file. In the run config dialog select the suite option. Then select the testng file.
It worked for me.
Hope it helps.