Typing text (sendKeys) in Selenium Java - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the sendKeys() method do in Selenium?

The sendKeys() method types text into an input field or element on a web page, simulating keyboard input.

beginner

How do you locate a text input field before using sendKeys()?

You use a locator like By.id, By.name, or By.cssSelector to find the input element, then call sendKeys() on it.

beginner

Example: Write a Java Selenium code snippet to type "hello" into an input with id "username".

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

intermediate

Can sendKeys() be used to send special keys like ENTER or TAB?

Yes, by using the Keys enum, e.g., sendKeys(Keys.ENTER) to simulate pressing the Enter key.

intermediate

Why is it important to clear an input field before using sendKeys()?

Because sendKeys() appends text. Clearing ensures the field is empty before typing new text to avoid unwanted input.

What does sendKeys() do in Selenium?

A Types text into a web element

B Clicks a button

C Finds an element by ID

D Waits for a page to load

sendKeys() types text or keys into an input or element.

Which locator is commonly used before sendKeys()?

A By.title

B By.id

C By.alert

D By.cookie

You locate the element first, often by By.id, before typing.

How do you send the ENTER key using sendKeys()?

A sendKeys("\n")

B sendKeys("ENTER")

C sendKeys(Enter)

D sendKeys(Keys.ENTER)

Special keys use the Keys enum, like Keys.ENTER.

What happens if you call sendKeys() without clearing the input first?

A It appends the text

B It deletes the element

C It replaces the text

D It throws an error

sendKeys() appends text; clearing is needed to avoid extra text.

Which of these is a valid way to clear an input before typing?

A input.remove()

B input.delete()

C input.clear()

D input.reset()

clear() empties the input field before typing.

Explain how to use sendKeys() to type text into a web input field in Selenium Java.

Think about finding the element and then typing.

Describe how to send special keys like ENTER using sendKeys().

Special keys are not strings but constants.

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