Getting element attributes in Selenium Python

Introduction

We get element attributes to check or use details like id, class, or href from web page elements.

To verify if a button has the correct 'disabled' attribute before clicking.

To check the 'href' link of a navigation menu item.

To confirm the 'value' inside an input box before submitting a form.

To read the 'title' attribute that shows extra info on hover.

To ensure an image has the correct 'alt' text for accessibility.

Syntax

Selenium Python

element.get_attribute('attribute_name')

Replace 'attribute_name' with the exact name of the attribute you want to get.

If the attribute does not exist, it returns None.

Examples

Gets the 'disabled' attribute of a button with id 'submit'.

Selenium Python

button = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'submit')
disabled = button.get_attribute('disabled')

Gets the URL from the 'href' attribute of a link with class 'nav-link'.

Selenium Python

link = driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, 'a.nav-link')
href = link.get_attribute('href')

Gets the current text inside an input box named 'username'.

Selenium Python

input_box = driver.find_element(By.NAME, 'username')
value = input_box.get_attribute('value')

Sample Program

This script opens a simple HTML page with a link, button, and input box. It gets and prints their attributes using get_attribute.

Selenium Python

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

# Setup driver (make sure chromedriver is in PATH)

# Open a simple test page
html = '''
<html>
  <body>
    <a id="home-link" href="https://example.com/home" title="Home Page">Home</a>
    <button id="submit-btn" disabled>Submit</button>
    <input name="email" value="[e-mail]" />
  </body>
</html>
'''

# Load the HTML content
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')
driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)
driver.get('data:text/html;charset=utf-8,' + html)

# Get attributes
link = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'home-link')
href = link.get_attribute('href')
title = link.get_attribute('title')

button = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'submit-btn')
disabled = button.get_attribute('disabled')

input_box = driver.find_element(By.NAME, 'email')
value = input_box.get_attribute('value')

print(f"Link href: {href}")
print(f"Link title: {title}")
print(f"Button disabled attribute: {disabled}")
print(f"Input value: {value}")

driver.quit()

Important Notes

The 'disabled' attribute returns 'true' if present, otherwise None.

Always check if the attribute is None before using it to avoid errors.

Using headless mode runs the browser without opening a window, good for automated tests.

Summary

Use get_attribute to read any attribute from a web element.

It helps verify element properties during tests.

Remember to handle cases where the attribute might not exist.

Practice

1. What does the Selenium method get_attribute('href') do when called on a web element?

easy

A. It sets the 'href' attribute to a new value.

B. It clicks the element if it has an 'href' attribute.

C. It returns the value of the 'href' attribute of the element.

D. It deletes the 'href' attribute from the element.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of get_attribute

   The method get_attribute is used to read the value of a specified attribute from a web element.

2. Step 2: Apply to 'href' attribute

   When called with 'href', it returns the URL or value assigned to the 'href' attribute of that element.

3. Final Answer:

   It returns the value of the 'href' attribute of the element. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   get_attribute('href') = attribute value [OK]

Hint: Remember: get_attribute reads, does not change attributes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking get_attribute changes or clicks elements
• Confusing get_attribute with set_attribute
• Expecting get_attribute to remove attributes

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to get the 'class' attribute of a web element stored in variable element using Selenium in Python?

easy

A. element.getAttribute('class')

B. element.get_attribute('class')

C. element.getattribute('class')

D. element.getattr('class')

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct method name in Selenium Python

   The correct method to get an attribute is get_attribute with an underscore, all lowercase.

2. Step 2: Check method spelling and case

   element.get_attribute('class') uses get_attribute('class'), which matches the correct syntax exactly.

3. Final Answer:

   element.get_attribute('class') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method name = get_attribute [OK]

Hint: Use underscore: get_attribute, not camelCase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using camelCase like getAttribute
• Misspelling method names
• Using non-existent methods like getattr

3. Given the following code snippet:

element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'submit-btn')
value = element.get_attribute('type')
print(value)

If the HTML is <button id='submit-btn' type='submit'>Send</button>, what will be printed?

medium

A. submit

B. None

C. Send

D. button

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the element and attribute

   The element is a button with id 'submit-btn' and attribute type='submit'.

2. Step 2: Understand get_attribute('type') output

   Calling get_attribute('type') returns the string 'submit' as that is the attribute's value.

3. Final Answer:

   submit -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   get_attribute('type') = 'submit' [OK]

Hint: get_attribute returns attribute value exactly as in HTML [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing inner text with attribute value
• Expecting tag name instead of attribute
• Assuming None if attribute exists

4. You wrote this code:

element = driver.find_element(By.NAME, 'email')
email_value = element.get_attribute('value')
print(email_value)

But the print shows None even though the input field has a value. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The input field's value is set by JavaScript and not as an attribute.

B. The element was not found and element is None.

C. The attribute name 'value' is misspelled in get_attribute.

D. get_attribute cannot read 'value' attributes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand difference between attribute and property

   Sometimes input values are set dynamically by JavaScript and not reflected as HTML attributes.

2. Step 2: Recognize get_attribute reads HTML attributes only

   get_attribute('value') reads the attribute, but if value is set dynamically, it may return None.

3. Final Answer:

   The input field's value is set by JavaScript and not as an attribute. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Dynamic values may not appear as attributes [OK]

Hint: Dynamic input values may not be in attributes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming get_attribute reads live input value always
• Not checking if element was found
• Misspelling attribute names

5. You want to verify that a checkbox is checked by reading its 'checked' attribute using Selenium in Python. The checkbox HTML is:

<input type='checkbox' id='agree' checked>

Which code snippet correctly checks if the checkbox is checked?

hard

A. is_checked = element.get_attribute('checked') == True

B. is_checked = element.get_attribute('checked') == 'false'

C. is_checked = element.get_attribute('checked') == 'checked'

D. is_checked = element.get_attribute('checked') is not None

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how 'checked' attribute works in HTML

   The 'checked' attribute is present without a value when the checkbox is checked.

2. Step 2: Check attribute presence with get_attribute

   In Selenium, get_attribute('checked') returns 'true' if the checkbox is checked, None if unchecked.

3. Step 3: Use presence check for 'checked'

   Since the attribute is present without value, checking if get_attribute('checked') is not None confirms it is checked.

4. Final Answer:

   is_checked = element.get_attribute('checked') is not None -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Presence of 'checked' attribute means checked [OK]

Hint: Check if get_attribute('checked') is not None for checked boxes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Comparing to 'false' or 'checked' strings incorrectly
• Using boolean True instead of string or None
• Ignoring attribute presence vs value