Executing JavaScript in Selenium Java - Build an Automation Script

Execute JavaScript to change page title and verify

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Open the browser and navigate to https://example.com

Step 2: Use JavaScript to change the page title to 'New Title'

Step 3: Retrieve the page title using WebDriver

Step 4: Verify that the page title is 'New Title'

✅ Expected Result: The page title changes to 'New Title' and the verification passes

Automation Requirements - Selenium WebDriver with Java

Assertions Needed:

Verify page title equals 'New Title'

Best Practices:

Use JavascriptExecutor interface to run JavaScript

Use explicit waits if needed before assertions

Use meaningful variable names

Close the browser after test

Automated Solution

Selenium Java

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.JavascriptExecutor;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.WebDriverWait;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.ExpectedConditions;
import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;

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

            JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
            js.executeScript("document.title = 'New Title';");

            // Wait until title is updated
            WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, java.time.Duration.ofSeconds(5));
            wait.until(ExpectedConditions.titleIs("New Title"));

            String title = driver.getTitle();
            assertEquals("New Title", title, "Page title should be updated to 'New Title'");

            System.out.println("Test passed: Title changed successfully.");
        } finally {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

This test opens the browser and navigates to the example.com page.

It uses the JavascriptExecutor interface to run JavaScript that changes the page title to 'New Title'.

Then it waits explicitly until the title is updated to avoid timing issues.

Finally, it asserts that the title is exactly 'New Title' and prints a success message.

The driver.quit() in the finally block ensures the browser closes even if the test fails.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Casting WebDriver to JavascriptExecutor without checking

Not waiting for the title to update before asserting

Hardcoding the path to chromedriver inside the code

Not closing the browser after test

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing to change the title to 3 different values and verify each

Show Hint

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using JavascriptExecutor in Selenium Java?

easy

A. To locate elements on the page using JavaScript selectors

B. To execute JavaScript code directly in the browser during a test

C. To start the Selenium WebDriver session

D. To generate test reports automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of JavascriptExecutor

   JavascriptExecutor allows running JavaScript code inside the browser from Selenium tests.

2. Step 2: Identify the main use case

   It is mainly used to perform actions or retrieve information that Selenium WebDriver cannot do directly.

3. Final Answer:

   To execute JavaScript code directly in the browser during a test -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   JavascriptExecutor runs JS code in browser [OK]

Hint: Remember: JavascriptExecutor runs JS code inside browser [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing JavascriptExecutor with element locators
• Thinking it starts WebDriver sessions
• Assuming it generates reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to cast a WebDriver instance to JavascriptExecutor in Selenium Java?

easy

A. JavascriptExecutor js = driver.executeScript();

B. JavascriptExecutor js = driver.getJavascriptExecutor();

C. JavascriptExecutor js = new JavascriptExecutor(driver);

D. JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the casting syntax in Java

   To use JavascriptExecutor, you cast the WebDriver instance like this: (JavascriptExecutor) driver.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver; uses correct casting syntax. The other options are invalid method calls or constructors.

3. Final Answer:

   JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver; -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Cast driver to JavascriptExecutor using (JavascriptExecutor) [OK]

Hint: Casting uses (JavascriptExecutor) before driver [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like getJavascriptExecutor()
• Trying to instantiate JavascriptExecutor with new keyword
• Calling executeScript() without casting

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

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
String title = (String) js.executeScript("return document.title;");
System.out.println(title);

medium

A. Prints the current page's title

B. Throws a ClassCastException

C. Prints 'undefined'

D. Prints the URL of the page

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the JavaScript executed

   The script returns document.title, which is the page's title as a string.

2. Step 2: Check the casting and output

   The returned object is cast to String and printed, so it outputs the page title.

3. Final Answer:

   Prints the current page's title -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   executeScript returns document.title string [OK]

Hint: executeScript returns JS value; cast to String for title [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting URL instead of title
• Not casting return value to String
• Confusing output with undefined or errors

4. Identify the error in the following code snippet:

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;
js.executeScript("arguments[0].click();");

medium

A. Incorrect casting of driver to JavascriptExecutor

B. executeScript method does not exist

C. Missing WebElement argument to click()

D. JavaScript syntax error in the string

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the executeScript call

   The script uses arguments[0].click(); which requires a WebElement passed as an argument.

2. Step 2: Check the method call parameters

   No WebElement is passed to executeScript, so it will fail at runtime.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing WebElement argument to click() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   arguments[0] needs a WebElement passed [OK]

Hint: Pass WebElement as argument when using arguments[0] [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to pass WebElement argument
• Assuming casting is wrong
• Thinking executeScript method is missing

5. You want to scroll a page to a specific WebElement using JavaScript in Selenium Java. Which code snippet correctly achieves this?

hard

A. js.executeScript("arguments[0].scrollIntoView(true);", element);

B. js.executeScript("window.scrollTo(element);");

C. js.executeScript("scrollToElement(arguments[0]);", element);

D. js.executeScript("document.scrollTo(arguments[0]);");

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall JavaScript method to scroll to element

   The correct JS method is scrollIntoView(true) called on the element.

2. Step 2: Check the Selenium executeScript usage

   Pass the WebElement as an argument and use arguments[0].scrollIntoView(true); to scroll.

3. Final Answer:

   js.executeScript("arguments[0].scrollIntoView(true);", element); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use scrollIntoView with element argument [OK]

Hint: Use arguments[0].scrollIntoView(true) with element [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using window.scrollTo with element (invalid)
• Calling non-existent scrollToElement function
• Not passing element as argument