Typing text (sendKeys) in Selenium Java - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the result of this Selenium Java code snippet?

Consider the following Selenium Java code that types text into a search box and submits the form. What will be the value of the input field after execution?

Selenium Java

WebElement searchBox = driver.findElement(By.id("searchInput"));
searchBox.sendKeys("Selenium Testing");
String enteredText = searchBox.getAttribute("value");

A ""

B "selenium testing"

C "Selenium Testing"

D null

💡 Hint

Remember that sendKeys types exactly what you pass as argument.

The sendKeys method types the exact string into the input field. The getAttribute("value") returns the current text inside the input box, which matches the typed string.

❓ assertion

intermediate

Which assertion correctly verifies typed text in Selenium Java?

You want to check that the text "Hello World" was typed into an input field with id "message". Which assertion is correct?

Selenium Java

WebElement input = driver.findElement(By.id("message"));
input.sendKeys("Hello World");
String text = input.getAttribute("value");

A assertTrue(text.contains("hello world"));

B assertEquals(text, "Hello World");

C assertNotNull(text);

D assertFalse(text.isEmpty());

💡 Hint

Check for exact match of the typed text.

assertEquals checks that the actual text exactly matches "Hello World". Other options are less strict or case sensitive.

❓ locator

advanced

Which locator is best to find an input field for typing text?

You want to type text into a username field on a login page. Which locator is the best practice for finding this input element?

A By.tagName("input")

B By.xpath("//input[@type='text']")

C By.className("input-field")

D By.id("username")

💡 Hint

Use the most specific and stable locator.

By.id("username") is the most specific and stable locator for the username input field. Other locators are less specific and may match multiple elements.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this sendKeys call fail to type text?

This Selenium Java code tries to type "Test" but the input remains empty. What is the likely cause?

Selenium Java

WebElement input = driver.findElement(By.id("email"));
input.sendKeys("");

A sendKeys was called with an empty string, so no text is typed.

B The input element is not visible, so sendKeys fails silently.

C The locator By.id("email") is incorrect and finds no element.

D sendKeys requires a click() before typing.

💡 Hint

Check the argument passed to sendKeys.

Calling sendKeys with an empty string types no characters, so the input remains empty.

❓ framework

expert

In a Selenium Java test framework, how to best wait for an input field to be ready before typing?

You want to type text into an input field, but it may take time to appear. Which approach ensures reliable typing?

A Use WebDriverWait with ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable before sendKeys.

B Use Thread.sleep(5000) before sendKeys to wait fixed time.

C Call sendKeys immediately and catch exceptions if element not ready.

D Use driver.manage().timeouts().implicitlyWait(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS) once before tests.

💡 Hint

Explicit waits are better than fixed or implicit waits for element readiness.

WebDriverWait with ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable waits until the element is ready for typing, making tests more reliable.

Practice

1. What does the sendKeys() method do in Selenium WebDriver?

easy

A. It takes a screenshot of the current page.

B. It types text into an input field on a web page.

C. It navigates to a new URL.

D. It clicks a button on the web page.

Solution

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

   The sendKeys() method simulates typing text into input fields.

2. Step 2: Compare with other actions

   Clicking buttons, navigating URLs, and taking screenshots are done by other methods, not sendKeys().

3. Final Answer:

   It types text into an input field on a web page. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   sendKeys() = types text [OK]

Hint: sendKeys() = typing text into fields [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sendKeys() with click()
• Thinking sendKeys() navigates pages
• Assuming sendKeys() takes screenshots

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to type "hello" into a text input using Selenium in Java?

easy

A. driver.findElement(By.id("inputField")).sendKeys("hello");

B. driver.sendKeys(By.id("inputField"), "hello");

C. driver.findElement(By.id("inputField")).type("hello");

D. driver.findElement(By.id("inputField")).click("hello");

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate element and use sendKeys()

   The correct way is to find the element first, then call sendKeys() on it with the text.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   driver.findElement(By.id("inputField")).sendKeys("hello"); uses findElement and sendKeys correctly. Others use invalid methods or wrong parameters.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.findElement(By.id("inputField")).sendKeys("hello"); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   findElement + sendKeys() = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Always find element first, then call sendKeys() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Calling sendKeys() directly on driver
• Using non-existent methods like type()
• Passing text to click() method

3. What will be the result of the following code snippet?

WebElement input = driver.findElement(By.name("username"));
input.sendKeys("user123");
String value = input.getAttribute("value");
System.out.println(value);

medium

A. It prints an empty string

B. It prints: username

C. It throws NoSuchElementException

D. It prints: user123

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sendKeys() effect

   The sendKeys("user123") types "user123" into the input field.

2. Step 2: Retrieve input value attribute

   The getAttribute("value") returns the current text inside the input, which is "user123".

3. Final Answer:

   It prints: user123 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   sendKeys() sets value, getAttribute("value") reads it [OK]

Hint: sendKeys() sets input value, getAttribute("value") reads it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting getAttribute("value") to return element name
• Assuming sendKeys() throws exception without element
• Thinking printed value is empty

4. Identify the error in the following code snippet that tries to type "admin" into a password field:

WebElement password = driver.findElement(By.id("pass"));
password.sendkeys("admin");

medium

A. Method name should be sendKeys with uppercase K.

B. The locator By.id("pass") is incorrect.

C. sendKeys cannot be used on password fields.

D. Missing driver initialization.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method spelling

   The method name is case-sensitive and must be sendKeys with uppercase 'K'.

2. Step 2: Verify locator and usage

   The locator By.id("pass") is valid and sendKeys works on password fields. Driver initialization is assumed done.

3. Final Answer:

   Method name should be sendKeys with uppercase K. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sendKeys() method name is case-sensitive [OK]

Hint: Remember exact method name: sendKeys() with capital K [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typing sendkeys() with lowercase k
• Assuming sendKeys() can't type passwords
• Ignoring driver setup errors

5. You want to clear any existing text and then type "hello world" into a search box using Selenium in Java. Which code snippet correctly does this?

hard

A. driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("");
driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("hello world");

B. driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys(Keys.CONTROL + "a", Keys.DELETE);
driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("hello world");

C. driver.findElement(By.name("search")).clear();
driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("hello world");

D. driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("hello world");

Solution

1. Step 1: Clear existing text properly

   The clear() method empties the input field safely before typing.

2. Step 2: Type new text after clearing

   After clearing, calling sendKeys("hello world") types the new text correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.findElement(By.name("search")).clear(); driver.findElement(By.name("search")).sendKeys("hello world"); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use clear() before sendKeys() to reset input [OK]

Hint: Use clear() before sendKeys() to replace text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to delete text with sendKeys() shortcuts incorrectly
• Sending empty string to clear input
• Not clearing input before typing new text