Checking state (isDisplayed, isEnabled, isSelected) in Selenium Java - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the isDisplayed() method check in Selenium?

It checks if a web element is visible on the page to the user. If the element is hidden or not present, it returns false.

beginner

What is the purpose of the isEnabled() method in Selenium?

It checks if a web element is enabled and can be interacted with, like a button that is clickable or a text box that can be typed into.

beginner

How does isSelected() help in testing?

It checks if an element like a checkbox, radio button, or option in a dropdown is currently selected or checked.

beginner

Example: What will checkbox.isSelected() return if the checkbox is checked?

It will return true because the checkbox is selected.

intermediate

Why is it important to check element state before interacting in Selenium tests?

Because trying to click or type on invisible, disabled, or unselected elements can cause test failures or errors. Checking state helps write stable tests.

Which Selenium method checks if an element is visible on the page?

A isDisplayed()

B isEnabled()

C isSelected()

D isVisible()

isDisplayed() returns true if the element is visible to the user.

What does isEnabled() return if a button is grayed out and cannot be clicked?

A false

B true

C null

D throws exception

isEnabled() returns false if the element is disabled and cannot be interacted with.

Which element state method would you use to check if a checkbox is checked?

A isDisplayed()

B isSelected()

C isChecked()

D isEnabled()

isSelected() checks if checkboxes or radio buttons are selected.

If element.isDisplayed() returns false, what does it mean?

A Element is enabled

B Element is visible

C Element is hidden or not present

D Element is selected

isDisplayed() returning false means the element is not visible on the page.

Why should you check isEnabled() before clicking a button?

A To confirm the button is visible

B To confirm the button is selected

C To confirm the button is hidden

D To confirm the button is clickable

Checking isEnabled() ensures the button can be clicked without errors.

Explain the difference between isDisplayed(), isEnabled(), and isSelected() in Selenium.

Think about what each method tells you about the element's state.

Describe a scenario where checking element state methods prevents test failures.

Consider what happens if you interact with elements not ready for action.

Practice

1. Which Selenium WebDriver method would you use to check if a button is visible on the web page?

easy

A. getText()

B. isEnabled()

C. isSelected()

D. isDisplayed()

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of isDisplayed()

   This method checks if an element is visible on the page, meaning it is rendered and not hidden.

2. Step 2: Compare with other methods

   isEnabled() checks if the element can be interacted with, isSelected() checks selection state, and getText() returns text content, so they don't check visibility.

3. Final Answer:

   isDisplayed() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Visibility check = isDisplayed() [OK]

Hint: Visibility means use isDisplayed() method [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing isDisplayed() with isEnabled()
• Using isSelected() for visibility
• Thinking getText() checks visibility

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to check if a checkbox element is selected in Selenium Java?

easy

A. checkbox.isSelected();

B. checkbox.isDisplayed();

C. checkbox.isEnabled();

D. checkbox.getSelected();

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the method to check selection state

   The correct method to check if a checkbox or radio button is selected is isSelected().

2. Step 2: Verify syntax correctness

   checkbox.isSelected(); is valid Java syntax. getSelected() does not exist, and the others check different states.

3. Final Answer:

   checkbox.isSelected(); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Check selection = isSelected() [OK]

Hint: Use isSelected() to check checkbox state [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using getSelected() which is invalid
• Confusing isDisplayed() with isSelected()
• Using isEnabled() to check selection

3. Given the following code snippet, what will be the output if the button is visible but disabled?

WebElement button = driver.findElement(By.id("submitBtn"));
System.out.println(button.isDisplayed());
System.out.println(button.isEnabled());

medium

A. true true

B. true false

C. false true

D. false false

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand isDisplayed() output

   The button is visible, so isDisplayed() returns true.

2. Step 2: Understand isEnabled() output

   The button is disabled, so isEnabled() returns false.

3. Final Answer:

   true false -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Visible = true, Enabled = false [OK]

Hint: Visible true, enabled false if disabled button [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming disabled means not displayed
• Mixing up isDisplayed() and isEnabled() results
• Expecting both to be true always

4. Identify the error in the following code snippet that checks if a radio button is selected:

WebElement radio = driver.findElement(By.name("gender"));
if(radio.isEnabled()) {
    System.out.println("Selected");
} else {
    System.out.println("Not Selected");
}

medium

A. Should use isSelected() instead of isEnabled()

B. Missing semicolon after findElement()

C. Incorrect locator By.name should be By.id

D. No error, code is correct

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of isEnabled() vs isSelected()

   isEnabled() checks if the element can be interacted with, not if it is selected.

2. Step 2: Identify correct method to check selection

   To check if a radio button is selected, isSelected() must be used.

3. Final Answer:

   Should use isSelected() instead of isEnabled() -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Selection check = isSelected() [OK]

Hint: Use isSelected() to check radio button selection [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using isEnabled() to check selection
• Assuming enabled means selected
• Ignoring method purpose differences

5. You want to write a test that clicks a checkbox only if it is visible, enabled, and not already selected. Which of the following code snippets correctly implements this logic?

hard

A. if(!checkbox.isDisplayed() && checkbox.isEnabled() && checkbox.isSelected()) {
checkbox.click();
}

B. if(checkbox.isDisplayed() || checkbox.isEnabled() || checkbox.isSelected()) {
checkbox.click();
}

C. if(checkbox.isDisplayed() && checkbox.isEnabled() && !checkbox.isSelected()) {
checkbox.click();
}

D. if(checkbox.isDisplayed() && !checkbox.isEnabled() && !checkbox.isSelected()) {
checkbox.click();
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the required conditions

   The checkbox must be visible (isDisplayed()), enabled (isEnabled()), and not selected (!isSelected()).

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   if(checkbox.isDisplayed() && checkbox.isEnabled() && !checkbox.isSelected()) { checkbox.click(); } uses AND (&&) to combine all correct conditions and negates isSelected() to ensure it is not selected before clicking.

3. Final Answer:

   if(checkbox.isDisplayed() && checkbox.isEnabled() && !checkbox.isSelected()) { checkbox.click(); } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use AND for all true and NOT for selection [OK]

Hint: Use && for all true and ! for not selected [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using OR (||) instead of AND (&&)
• Not negating isSelected() when needed
• Clicking when checkbox is disabled or hidden