Creating new windows/tabs in Selenium Java - Why You Should Know This

The Big Idea

What if your tests could open and switch tabs perfectly every time, without you lifting a finger?

The Scenario

Imagine you are testing a website where clicking a link opens a new tab or window. You try to switch between these windows manually by looking at the screen and clicking around.

The Problem

Manually switching windows is slow and confusing. You might click the wrong tab or miss important checks. It's easy to lose track and make mistakes, especially if many tabs open.

The Solution

Using Selenium's commands to create and switch windows or tabs lets you control them precisely. Your test can open new tabs, switch focus, and check content automatically without human error.

Before vs After

✗ Before

driver.findElement(By.linkText("Open Tab")).click(); // then manually switch window

✓ After

driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB); // open and switch to new tab automatically

What It Enables

This lets your tests handle multiple windows or tabs smoothly, making your automation reliable and faster.

Real Life Example

Testing an e-commerce site where product details open in a new tab. Your test can open the tab, verify details, then return to the main page without confusion.

Key Takeaways

Manual window switching is error-prone and slow.

Selenium commands automate opening and switching windows/tabs.

Automation becomes more reliable and easier to maintain.

Practice

1. Which Selenium Java command is used to open a new browser tab?

easy

A. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB)

B. driver.openNewTab()

C. driver.createTab()

D. driver.newWindow(Tab)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Selenium's new window/tab creation

   Selenium provides a method driver.switchTo().newWindow() to open new tabs or windows.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct WindowType for a tab

   Using WindowType.TAB opens a new tab, which matches driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB).

3. Final Answer:

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Open new tab = driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) [OK]

Hint: Use driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) for new tabs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like driver.openNewTab()
• Confusing WindowType.WINDOW with TAB
• Trying to create tabs without switchTo()

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to open a new browser window in Selenium Java?

easy

A. driver.newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

B. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

C. driver.switchTo().openWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

D. driver.openNewWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct method to open new windows

   The correct method is driver.switchTo().newWindow() with a WindowType argument.

2. Step 2: Match the exact syntax

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW); matches the correct syntax exactly with WindowType.WINDOW.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Open new window = driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW) [OK]

Hint: Use switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW) to open new windows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting switchTo() before newWindow()
• Using incorrect method names like openWindow()
• Missing semicolon in Java syntax

3. What will be the output of the following Selenium Java code snippet?

driver.get("https://example.com");
String originalHandle = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
System.out.println(driver.getCurrentUrl());
driver.switchTo().window(originalHandle);
System.out.println(driver.getCurrentUrl());

medium

A. https://selenium.dev
https://selenium.dev

B. https://example.com
https://selenium.dev

C. https://selenium.dev
https://example.com

D. https://example.com
https://example.com

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand window handles and tab switching

   The code opens example.com, saves the original window handle, then opens a new tab and navigates to selenium.dev.

2. Step 2: Analyze the printed URLs

   First print shows the URL of the new tab (selenium.dev). Then it switches back to the original window and prints its URL (example.com).

3. Final Answer:

   https://selenium.dev https://example.com -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Switch tabs = different URLs printed [OK]

Hint: Switching tabs changes current URL output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming URLs remain the same after switching tabs
• Not saving original window handle before opening new tab
• Confusing getWindowHandle() with getWindowHandles()

4. Identify the error in the following Selenium Java code snippet that tries to open a new tab:

driver.get("https://example.com");
driver.newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");

medium

A. No error, code is correct

B. WindowType.TAB is invalid

C. driver.get() cannot be used after newWindow()

D. Missing driver.switchTo() before newWindow()

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method usage for opening new tabs

   The method newWindow() must be called after driver.switchTo().

2. Step 2: Identify the missing part in the code

   The code calls driver.newWindow() directly, which is incorrect syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing driver.switchTo() before newWindow() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Always use switchTo().newWindow() [OK]

Hint: Always use driver.switchTo() before newWindow() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Calling newWindow() directly on driver
• Confusing WindowType.TAB as invalid
• Thinking driver.get() is restricted after newWindow()

5. You want to open a new tab, navigate to a URL, then switch back to the original tab and verify its title. Which code snippet correctly does this in Selenium Java?

hard

A. String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

B. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

C. String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

D. driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

Solution

1. Step 1: Save original window handle before opening new tab

   We must save the original window handle before opening a new tab to switch back later.

2. Step 2: Open new tab, navigate, then switch back and assert title

   String original = driver.getWindowHandle(); driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB); driver.get("https://selenium.dev"); driver.switchTo().window(original); assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example"); correctly calls switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB), navigates, switches back using saved handle, and asserts title.

3. Final Answer:

   Option A code snippet correctly performs all steps -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Save handle, open tab, switch back, assert [OK]

Hint: Save handle before new tab, switch back to assert [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Saving window handle after opening new tab
• Calling newWindow() without switchTo()
• Not switching back before assertion