Typing text (send_keys) in Selenium Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this Selenium send_keys code?

Consider the following Selenium Python code snippet that types text into an input field. What will be the final value of the input field after execution?

Selenium Python

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

input_element = driver.find_element(By.ID, "username")
input_element.send_keys("TestUser")
input_element.send_keys(Keys.BACKSPACE)
input_element.send_keys("1")
final_value = input_element.get_attribute("value")
print(final_value)

A "TestUse1"

B "TestUser\b1"

C "TestUser"

D "TestUser1"

💡 Hint

Think about what the BACKSPACE key does when sent to the input field.

The send_keys method sends characters to the input field. Sending Keys.BACKSPACE deletes the last character 'r' from 'TestUser', resulting in 'TestUse'. Then sending '1' appends it, making the final value 'TestUse1'.

❓ assertion

intermediate

Which assertion correctly verifies typed text using send_keys?

You want to verify that the input field with id 'email' contains the text '[e-mail]' after typing. Which assertion is correct?

Selenium Python

input_element = driver.find_element(By.ID, "email")
input_element.send_keys("[e-mail]")
actual_text = input_element.get_attribute("value")

A assert actual_text == "[e-mail]"

B assert actual_text.contains("[e-mail]")

C assert input_element.text == "[e-mail]"

D assert input_element.get_text() == "[e-mail]"

💡 Hint

Remember how to get the value typed inside an input field.

The correct way to get the typed text in an input field is to use get_attribute('value'). The 'text' property or get_text() do not return the input's typed value.

❓ locator

advanced

Which locator is best to find an input field for typing email?

You want to type an email into an input field. The HTML snippet is:

A driver.find_element(By.ID, "userEmail")

B driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "input[type='email']")

C driver.find_element(By.NAME, "userEmail")

D driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//input[@placeholder='Enter your email']")

💡 Hint

Check which attribute uniquely identifies the input field.

The input has no ID attribute, so By.ID won't work. The 'name' attribute is 'userEmail', which is unique and reliable. CSS selector by type may match multiple inputs. XPath by placeholder is less stable.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does send_keys fail to type text in this input?

Given this code: input_element = driver.find_element(By.ID, "search") input_element.send_keys("query") But the input remains empty after running. What is the most likely reason?

A The driver session is closed before send_keys runs.

B The input field is disabled or readonly, so send_keys has no effect.

C send_keys requires clicking the input first to focus it.

D The locator By.ID, "search" is incorrect and finds no element.

💡 Hint

Check if the input allows typing or is blocked.

If the input is disabled or readonly, send_keys will not change its value. The locator is found, and clicking is not required for send_keys to work. Driver session closed would cause an error.

❓ framework

expert

How to wait for input to be ready before send_keys in Selenium Python?

You want to type text into an input field that loads dynamically. Which code snippet correctly waits for the input to be visible and enabled before typing?

Selenium Python

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

wait = WebDriverWait(driver, 10)

A

input_element = wait.until(EC.staleness_of(driver.find_element(By.ID, "input1")))
input_element.send_keys("hello")

B

input_element = wait.until(EC.presence_of_element_located((By.ID, "input1")))
input_element.send_keys("hello")

C

input_element = wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, "input1")))
input_element.send_keys("hello")

D

input_element = wait.until(EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, "input1")))
input_element.send_keys("hello")

💡 Hint

Typing requires the element to be visible and enabled (clickable).

element_to_be_clickable waits for visibility and enabled state, ensuring send_keys works. presence_of_element_located only waits for presence in DOM, not visibility. visibility_of_element_located waits for visibility but not necessarily enabled. staleness_of waits for element to disappear.

Practice

1. What does the send_keys method do in Selenium Python?

easy

A. It types text into input fields or other elements.

B. It clicks on buttons or links.

C. It retrieves the text from an element.

D. It waits for an element to be visible.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of send_keys

   The send_keys method simulates typing text into input fields or editable elements in Selenium.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other actions

   Clicking, retrieving text, or waiting are done by other methods like click(), text property, or WebDriverWait.

3. Final Answer:

   It types text into input fields or other elements. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   send_keys = types text [OK]

Hint: send_keys means typing text into fields [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing send_keys with click()
• Thinking send_keys reads text
• Assuming send_keys waits for elements

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to type the text "hello" into an input element stored in variable input_box?

easy

A. input_box.write("hello")

B. input_box.send_keys("hello")

C. input_box.enter("hello")

D. input_box.type("hello")

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the method name for typing text

   In Selenium Python, the method to type text is send_keys().

2. Step 2: Check the syntax correctness

   The correct syntax is calling send_keys on the element with the text as a string argument.

3. Final Answer:

   input_box.send_keys("hello") -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method is send_keys() [OK]

Hint: Use send_keys() to type text, not type() or enter() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like type() or enter()
• Forgetting parentheses after send_keys
• Passing non-string arguments

3. What will be the value of the input box after executing this code?

input_box = driver.find_element(By.ID, "username")
input_box.send_keys("user123")
print(input_box.get_attribute("value"))

medium

A. "" (empty string)

B. "input_box"

C. "user123"

D. Throws an error

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand send_keys effect on input value

   Calling send_keys("user123") types "user123" into the input box, setting its value attribute.

2. Step 2: Retrieve the value attribute

   get_attribute("value") returns the current text inside the input box, which is "user123".

3. Final Answer:

   "user123" -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   send_keys sets value attribute = "user123" [OK]

Hint: send_keys sets input value; get_attribute('value') reads it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting get_attribute to return element name
• Thinking send_keys clears input automatically
• Assuming print shows element object

4. You want to type "admin" into an input box but your test fails with an error. Which line fixes the error?

input_box = driver.find_element(By.ID, "user")
input_box.send_keys(admin)

medium

A. input_box.send_keys("admin")

B. input_box.send_keys('admin")

C. input_box.send_keys(admin)

D. input_box.send_keys()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the error cause

   The argument admin is not in quotes, so Python treats it as a variable, causing a NameError.

2. Step 2: Fix by passing a string literal

   Enclose "admin" in quotes to pass it as a string: send_keys("admin").

3. Final Answer:

   input_box.send_keys("admin") -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Text must be a string in quotes [OK]

Hint: Always put text in quotes inside send_keys() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing variable without quotes
• Leaving send_keys empty
• Using single quotes inconsistently (valid but watch syntax)

5. You want to type a password into a field but first clear any existing text. Which code snippet correctly does this?

hard

A. input_box.clear("mypassword")

B. input_box.send_keys("")
input_box.send_keys("mypassword")

C. input_box.send_keys("mypassword")
input_box.clear()

D. input_box.clear()
input_box.send_keys("mypassword")

Solution

1. Step 1: Clear existing text before typing

   Use clear() method to remove any existing text in the input box.

2. Step 2: Type the new password

   After clearing, call send_keys("mypassword") to type the password.

3. Final Answer:

   input_box.clear() input_box.send_keys("mypassword") -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Clear first, then send_keys [OK]

Hint: Clear input before typing new text with clear() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typing before clearing causes leftover text
• Using clear() with arguments (invalid)
• Sending empty string to clear input