Upload a file using sendKeys to input element

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Locate the file input element with id 'file-upload'

Step 2: Use sendKeys to enter the full file path 'C:\\Users\\TestUser\\Documents\\sample.txt' into the file input

Step 3: Click the upload button with id 'upload-button'

Step 4: Wait for the upload confirmation message with id 'upload-success' to appear

✅ Expected Result: The upload confirmation message displays text 'Upload successful!'

Automation Requirements - Selenium WebDriver with Java

Assertions Needed:

Verify the upload confirmation message is displayed

Verify the confirmation message text equals 'Upload successful!'

Best Practices:

Use explicit waits to wait for elements

Use By.id locator strategy for stable element identification

Handle exceptions for element not found

Keep file path configurable

Automated Solution

Selenium Java

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.ExpectedConditions;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.WebDriverWait;
import java.time.Duration;

public class FileUploadTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver");
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, Duration.ofSeconds(10));

        try {
            driver.get("https://example.com/file-upload");

            // Locate file input
            WebElement fileInput = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.id("file-upload")));

            // Set file path - adjust path as needed
            String filePath = "C:\\Users\\TestUser\\Documents\\sample.txt";
            fileInput.sendKeys(filePath);

            // Click upload button
            WebElement uploadButton = driver.findElement(By.id("upload-button"));
            uploadButton.click();

            // Wait for confirmation message
            WebElement successMessage = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id("upload-success")));

            // Assert message text
            if (!"Upload successful!".equals(successMessage.getText())) {
                throw new AssertionError("Upload confirmation text mismatch");
            }

            System.out.println("Test passed: File uploaded successfully.");

        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        } finally {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

This test script uses Selenium WebDriver with Java to automate the file upload process.

First, it opens the file upload page. Then it waits explicitly for the file input element to be clickable to ensure it is ready.

It uses sendKeys to input the full file path into the file input element. This simulates selecting a file from the local machine.

Next, it clicks the upload button to start the upload.

After clicking, it waits explicitly for the upload confirmation message to appear, ensuring the upload completed.

Finally, it asserts that the confirmation message text matches the expected success message.

Explicit waits and By.id locators are used for reliability. The file path is kept as a variable for easy changes.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Using Thread.sleep instead of explicit waits

Using XPath with absolute paths for locating elements

Hardcoding file path inside the sendKeys call without variable

Not handling exceptions when elements are not found

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different file paths to upload different files

Show Hint