Checking element state (displayed, enabled, selected) in Selenium Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the is_displayed() method check in Selenium?

It checks if a web element is visible to the user on the page. If the element is hidden or not rendered, it returns False.

beginner

How do you verify if a button is enabled using Selenium in Python?

Use the is_enabled() method on the button element. It returns True if the button can be clicked, otherwise False.

beginner

What does the is_selected() method check for in Selenium?

It checks if an element like a checkbox or radio button is selected (checked). Returns True if selected, otherwise False.

intermediate

Why is it important to check element state before interacting with it in tests?

Checking state helps avoid errors like clicking hidden or disabled elements. It ensures the test interacts only with elements ready for action, making tests more reliable.

beginner

Example: How to assert a checkbox is selected using Selenium Python?

Use assert checkbox.is_selected(). This will pass if the checkbox is checked, otherwise the test fails.

Which Selenium method checks if an element is visible on the page?

A is_enabled()

B is_visible()

C is_selected()

D is_displayed()

The is_displayed() method returns true if the element is visible to the user.

What does is_enabled() return if a button is disabled?

A True

B None

C False

D Throws error

is_enabled() returns false if the element is disabled and cannot be interacted with.

Which element state method would you use to check if a radio button is selected?

A is_selected()

B is_enabled()

C is_displayed()

D is_checked()

is_selected() checks if checkboxes or radio buttons are selected.

Why should tests check element states before clicking?

A To speed up tests

B To avoid interacting with hidden or disabled elements

C To change element color

D To refresh the page

Checking states prevents errors by ensuring elements are ready for interaction.

What will assert checkbox.is_selected() do if the checkbox is not checked?

A Fail the test

B Pass the test

C Skip the test

D Ignore the assertion

The assertion fails if the checkbox is not selected, indicating a test failure.

Explain how to check if a web element is visible, enabled, and selected using Selenium in Python.

Think about how you decide if a button or checkbox is ready to use.

Describe a real-life situation where checking element state before interaction can prevent test failures.

Imagine clicking a button that is invisible or disabled.

Practice

1. Which Selenium method checks if a web element is visible on the page?

easy

A. is_enabled()

B. is_visible()

C. is_selected()

D. is_displayed()

Solution

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

   This method returns True if the element is visible to the user on the page.

2. Step 2: Compare with other methods

   is_enabled() checks if the element can be interacted with, is_selected() checks selection state, and is_visible() is not a valid Selenium method.

3. Final Answer:

   is_displayed() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Visibility check = is_displayed() [OK]

Hint: Visible? Use is_displayed() method [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing is_enabled() with visibility
• Using is_selected() for visibility
• Assuming is_visible() exists in Selenium

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to check if a checkbox element is selected in Selenium Python?

easy

A. checkbox.is_selected()

B. checkbox.selected()

C. checkbox.isSelected()

D. checkbox.selected

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Selenium Python method names

   In Selenium Python, the method to check selection is is_selected() with underscores and parentheses.

2. Step 2: Identify incorrect syntax

   selected() and selected are invalid; isSelected() is Java style, not Python.

3. Final Answer:

   checkbox.is_selected() -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Check selected? Use is_selected() [OK]

Hint: Use is_selected() with parentheses for selection check [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Java method style isSelected() in Python
• Omitting parentheses after method name
• Using property 'selected' instead of method

3. Given the following code snippet, what will be the output if the button is visible but disabled?

button = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'submit')
print(button.is_displayed())
print(button.is_enabled())

medium

A. True\nFalse

B. False\nTrue

C. True\nTrue

D. False\nFalse

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand is_displayed() output

   Since the button is visible, is_displayed() returns True.

2. Step 2: Understand is_enabled() output

   The button is disabled, so is_enabled() returns False.

3. Final Answer:

   True\nFalse -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Visible = True, Enabled = False [OK]

Hint: Visible True, Enabled False if button disabled [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming disabled means not visible
• Mixing up is_displayed() and is_enabled() results
• Expecting both to be True for visible button

4. You wrote this code to check if a checkbox is selected:

checkbox = driver.find_element(By.NAME, 'agree')
if checkbox.selected():
    print('Selected')
else:
    print('Not selected')

What is the error here?

medium

A. Print statements should be inside quotes

B. Missing parentheses after find_element

C. selected() is not a valid method; should use is_selected()

D. Checkbox element locator is incorrect

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method name for selection

   The correct method to check selection in Selenium Python is is_selected(), not selected().

2. Step 2: Verify other code parts

   Parentheses after find_element are correct, locator looks valid, and print statements are properly quoted.

3. Final Answer:

   selected() is not a valid method; should use is_selected() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use is_selected() method for checkbox state [OK]

Hint: Use is_selected(), not selected() method [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using selected() instead of is_selected()
• Confusing method names with Java syntax
• Ignoring method parentheses

5. You want to write a test that clicks a button only if it is visible and enabled. Which code snippet correctly checks these conditions before clicking?

button = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'save')

hard

A. if button.is_displayed() or button.is_enabled():
button.click()

B. if button.is_displayed() and button.is_enabled():
button.click()

C. if button.is_selected() and button.is_enabled():
button.click()

D. if button.is_enabled():
button.click()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify conditions for clicking

   The button must be visible (is_displayed()) and enabled (is_enabled()) to be safely clicked.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   if button.is_displayed() and button.is_enabled(): button.click() uses both conditions with 'and', which is correct. if button.is_selected() and button.is_enabled(): button.click() wrongly uses is_selected() which is for checkboxes/radios. if button.is_displayed() or button.is_enabled(): button.click() uses 'or' which may click if only one condition is true. if button.is_enabled(): button.click() checks only enabled, ignoring visibility.

3. Final Answer:

   if button.is_displayed() and button.is_enabled():\n button.click() -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Click only if visible AND enabled [OK]

Hint: Use and with is_displayed() and is_enabled() before click [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using or instead of and for conditions
• Checking is_selected() for buttons
• Ignoring visibility check before clicking