Getting element attributes in Selenium Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What method do you use in Selenium Python to get an element's attribute value?

You use the get_attribute() method on a WebElement to get the value of a specific attribute.

beginner

How would you get the 'href' attribute of a link element in Selenium Python?

Use element.get_attribute('href') where element is the WebElement representing the link.

intermediate

What does get_attribute() return if the attribute does not exist on the element?

It returns None if the attribute is not present on the element.

intermediate

Why is it better to use get_attribute() instead of accessing element properties directly in Selenium?

Because get_attribute() fetches the attribute as it appears in the HTML, ensuring consistent and reliable values across browsers.

beginner

Example: How to get the 'class' attribute of a button with id 'submit-btn' using Selenium Python?

button = driver.find_element('id', 'submit-btn') class_value = button.get_attribute('class') print(class_value)

Which Selenium Python method retrieves the value of an element's attribute?

A get_attribute()

B get_text()

C get_value()

D get_property()

The get_attribute() method is used to get the value of an attribute from a WebElement.

What does get_attribute('href') return if the element has no 'href' attribute?

A An empty string

B None

C Throws an exception

D Returns 'href'

If the attribute does not exist, get_attribute() returns None.

Which of these is a correct way to get the 'title' attribute of an element stored in variable elem?

A elem.get_attribute('title')

B elem.get_text('title')

C elem.get_property('title')

D elem.get_value('title')

The correct method to get an attribute is get_attribute().

Why should you use get_attribute() instead of accessing element properties directly?

A It works only on buttons

B It is faster

C It modifies the attribute

D It returns the attribute as in HTML, ensuring consistency

get_attribute() returns the attribute value as it appears in the HTML source.

What will this code print?

link = driver.find_element('css selector', 'a#home')
print(link.get_attribute('href'))

A The text inside the link

B The id of the link

C The URL the link points to

D An error

The href attribute contains the URL the link points to.

Explain how to retrieve an attribute value from a web element using Selenium Python.

Think about the method that fetches attribute values from elements.

Describe what happens if you try to get an attribute that does not exist on an element in Selenium Python.

Consider the return value when the attribute is absent.

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