Typing text (send_keys) in Selenium Python - Build an Automation Script

Verify typing text into a search input field

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Open the browser and navigate to 'https://example.com/search'

Step 2: Locate the search input field by its id 'search-input'

Step 3: Type the text 'Selenium testing' into the search input field

Step 4: Verify that the input field contains the text 'Selenium testing'

✅ Expected Result: The search input field should display the typed text 'Selenium testing'

Automation Requirements - Selenium with Python

Assertions Needed:

Verify the input field's value attribute equals 'Selenium testing'

Best Practices:

Use explicit waits to ensure the input field is visible and interactable before typing

Use By.ID locator for the search input field

Use clear() before send_keys() to avoid appending text

Use unittest or pytest assertions for validation

Automated Solution

Selenium Python

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

class TestTypingText(unittest.TestCase):
    def setUp(self):
        self.driver = webdriver.Chrome()
        self.driver.get('https://example.com/search')
        self.wait = WebDriverWait(self.driver, 10)

    def test_typing_text(self):
        driver = self.driver
        wait = self.wait
        # Wait until the search input is visible
        search_input = wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'search-input')))
        # Clear any existing text
        search_input.clear()
        # Type the text
        search_input.send_keys('Selenium testing')
        # Assert the input's value is as expected
        self.assertEqual(search_input.get_attribute('value'), 'Selenium testing')

    def tearDown(self):
        self.driver.quit()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()

This test script uses Selenium WebDriver with Python's unittest framework.

In setUp, it opens the Chrome browser and navigates to the test page.

It waits explicitly for the search input field to be visible using WebDriverWait and expected_conditions.

Before typing, it clears the input field to avoid appending text.

Then it types 'Selenium testing' using send_keys.

Finally, it asserts that the input field's value matches the typed text.

The tearDown method closes the browser after the test.

Common Mistakes - 3 Pitfalls

Not waiting for the input field to be visible before typing

Using hardcoded XPath that is brittle

Not clearing the input field before send_keys

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different input texts: 'Selenium testing', 'QA automation', 'Python scripting'

Show Hint

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