Checking state (isDisplayed, isEnabled, isSelected) in Selenium Java

Introduction

We check if elements are visible, clickable, or selected to make sure our tests interact with the right parts of a webpage.

Before clicking a button, check if it is enabled to avoid errors.

Verify if a checkbox is selected before submitting a form.

Confirm that a popup or message is visible before reading its content.

Ensure a link is visible before trying to click it.

Check if a radio button is selected to validate user choices.

Syntax

Selenium Java

boolean isDisplayed = element.isDisplayed();
boolean isEnabled = element.isEnabled();
boolean isSelected = element.isSelected();

isDisplayed() returns true if the element is visible on the page.

isEnabled() returns true if the element can be interacted with (not disabled).

isSelected() returns true if the element is selected (applicable for checkboxes, radio buttons, and options).

Examples

Check if the submit button is visible on the page.

Selenium Java

WebElement button = driver.findElement(By.id("submitBtn"));
boolean visible = button.isDisplayed();

Check if the checkbox for agreeing to terms is selected.

Selenium Java

WebElement checkbox = driver.findElement(By.name("agreeTerms"));
boolean selected = checkbox.isSelected();

Check if the text input field is enabled for typing.

Selenium Java

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.cssSelector("input[type='text']"));
boolean enabled = inputField.isEnabled();

Sample Program

This program opens a webpage, finds the submit button and terms checkbox, then prints if the button is visible and enabled, and if the checkbox is selected.

Selenium Java

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;

public class CheckElementState {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver");
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        try {
            driver.get("https://example.com/form");

            WebElement submitButton = driver.findElement(By.id("submitBtn"));
            WebElement termsCheckbox = driver.findElement(By.id("terms"));

            boolean isSubmitVisible = submitButton.isDisplayed();
            boolean isSubmitEnabled = submitButton.isEnabled();
            boolean isTermsSelected = termsCheckbox.isSelected();

            System.out.println("Submit button visible: " + isSubmitVisible);
            System.out.println("Submit button enabled: " + isSubmitEnabled);
            System.out.println("Terms checkbox selected: " + isTermsSelected);
        } finally {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Always check if an element is displayed before interacting to avoid errors.

isSelected() works mainly for checkboxes, radio buttons, and options in dropdowns.

Elements not enabled cannot be clicked or typed into.

Summary

Use isDisplayed() to check visibility.

Use isEnabled() to check if element can be used.

Use isSelected() to check selection state of checkboxes or radios.