Switching between windows in Selenium Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this Selenium window switch code?

Consider the following Selenium Python code snippet that opens a new window and switches to it. What will be the printed output?

Selenium Python

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

# Setup driver
options = webdriver.ChromeOptions()
options.add_argument('--headless=new')
driver = webdriver.Chrome(options=options)

# Open initial page
driver.get('https://example.com')
original_window = driver.current_window_handle

# Open new window
driver.execute_script('window.open("https://example.org", "_blank");')
time.sleep(1)

# Switch to new window
for handle in driver.window_handles:
    if handle != original_window:
        driver.switch_to.window(handle)
        break

print(driver.title)
driver.quit()

A NoSuchWindowException

B Example Domain - New Window

C Example Domain - Example Org

D Example Domain

💡 Hint

Remember that driver.title returns the title of the current page after switching windows.

The code opens https://example.com first, then opens a new window with https://example.org. After switching to the new window, the title of https://example.org is "Example Domain" because both example.com and example.org share the same page title.

❓ assertion

intermediate

Which assertion correctly verifies the switch to a new window?

You have switched to a new browser window using Selenium. Which assertion correctly checks that the current window handle is not the original one?

Selenium Python

original_window = driver.current_window_handle
# code to open and switch to new window

# Which assertion below is correct?

A assert driver.current_window_handle != original_window

B assert driver.current_window_handle == original_window

C assert driver.window_handles == original_window

D assert driver.current_window_handle in original_window

💡 Hint

The current window handle should be different from the original after switching.

After switching, the current window handle must not be the same as the original window handle. Option A correctly asserts this.

❓ locator

advanced

Which locator strategy is best to find the button that opens a new window?

On a webpage, a button opens a new window when clicked. The button has the text "Open New Window" and a unique id "open-window-btn". Which locator is best to find this button in Selenium?

A driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, 'button#open-window-btn')

B driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//button[text()='Open New Window']")

C driver.find_element(By.ID, 'open-window-btn')

D driver.find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, 'open-window-btn')

💡 Hint

Using unique IDs is the fastest and most reliable locator.

Locating by ID is the best practice when the element has a unique ID. Option C uses this method.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this Selenium code raise NoSuchWindowException?

Review the code below. It tries to switch to a new window but raises NoSuchWindowException. What is the likely cause?

Selenium Python

original_window = driver.current_window_handle
# Open new window
driver.execute_script('window.open("https://example.org", "_blank");')

# Incorrect switch
handle = driver.window_handles[1]
driver.switch_to.window(handle)

# Then close original window
driver.switch_to.window(original_window)
driver.close()

A The original window was closed before switching back to it

B The driver.execute_script syntax is invalid

C The new window handle index is wrong

D The driver.switch_to.window method is deprecated

💡 Hint

Check the order of window closing and switching.

The code closes the original window but then tries to switch back to it, causing NoSuchWindowException.

❓ framework

expert

How to implement a robust window switch helper in Selenium Python?

You want to create a helper function that waits for a new window to open and switches to it safely. Which implementation below correctly waits up to 10 seconds for a new window and switches to it?

Selenium Python

from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

def switch_to_new_window(driver, timeout=10):
    original_windows = driver.window_handles
    WebDriverWait(driver, timeout).until(
        lambda d: len(d.window_handles) > len(original_windows)
    )
    new_windows = set(driver.window_handles) - set(original_windows)
    driver.switch_to.window(new_windows.pop())

A The code uses deprecated Selenium methods

B The code waits for a new window and switches to it correctly

C The code switches before waiting for the new window

D The code waits but does not switch to the new window

💡 Hint

Check the order of waiting and switching in the function.

The function waits until a new window appears, then switches to it. This is the correct and robust approach.

Practice

1. What does driver.switch_to.window(window_handle) do in Selenium?

easy

A. It closes the current browser window.

B. It changes control to the browser window identified by window_handle.

C. It refreshes the current browser window.

D. It opens a new browser window.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the method purpose

   driver.switch_to.window() is used to change Selenium's focus to a different browser window or tab.

2. Step 2: Identify the parameter role

   The parameter window_handle specifies which window Selenium should control next.

3. Final Answer:

   It changes control to the browser window identified by window_handle. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Switching windows = change control [OK]

Hint: Switch windows by passing the window handle to switch_to.window() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it closes or refreshes windows
• Confusing switching with opening new windows
• Not passing a valid window handle

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to switch to a new window stored in variable new_window?

easy

A. driver.window_switch(new_window)

B. driver.switch_window(new_window)

C. driver.switchTo().window(new_window)

D. driver.switch_to.window(new_window)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct Selenium Python syntax

   The correct method to switch windows is driver.switch_to.window() in Python Selenium.

2. Step 2: Match the syntax with the options

   driver.switch_to.window(new_window) uses the correct method and parameter. Other options use incorrect method names or Java syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.switch_to.window(new_window) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Python Selenium uses switch_to.window() [OK]

Hint: Use driver.switch_to.window(handle) exactly in Python [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Java syntax like switchTo()
• Using incorrect method names
• Missing the switch_to part

3. What will be the output of the following code snippet?

original = driver.current_window_handle
all_windows = driver.window_handles
for w in all_windows:
    if w != original:
        driver.switch_to.window(w)
        print(driver.title)
        break
print(driver.current_window_handle == original)

medium

A. Prints the title of the new window and then prints False

B. Prints the title of the original window and then prints True

C. Throws an error because of wrong window handle usage

D. Prints False twice

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand window handles and switching

   The code saves the original window handle, loops through all windows, and switches to the first window that is not original.

2. Step 2: Analyze the print statements

   Inside the loop, it prints the title of the new window and breaks. After the loop, it compares current window handle with original, which will be False because we switched.

3. Final Answer:

   Prints the title of the new window and then prints False -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Switched window title + current handle != original = False [OK]

Hint: Switch changes current handle, so comparison with original is False [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming current window handle is still original after switch
• Confusing window_handles list with current_window_handle
• Expecting True after switching

4. Identify the error in this code snippet that tries to switch back to the original window:

original = driver.current_window_handle
# code opens new window
new_window = driver.window_handles[1]
driver.switch_to.window(new_window)
# some actions
# switch back
switch_to.window(original)

medium

A. Cannot switch back once switched

B. Using wrong index for new_window

C. Missing 'driver.' before switch_to.window in last line

D. No error, code is correct

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the last line syntax

   The last line calls switch_to.window(original) without the driver. prefix, which causes a NameError.

2. Step 2: Confirm other parts are correct

   Index 1 is valid if two windows exist, switching back is allowed, so no other errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing 'driver.' before switch_to.window in last line -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Always prefix with driver.switch_to.window() [OK]

Hint: Always use driver.switch_to.window() fully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting 'driver.' before switch_to
• Assuming switch back is automatic
• Using wrong window handle index without checking

5. You have opened multiple tabs during a test. How do you switch back to the original tab after performing actions on others?

hard

A. Store the original window handle before switching, then use driver.switch_to.window(original_handle) to return.

B. Call driver.close() on all other tabs to return automatically.

C. Use driver.switch_to.default_window() to go back to the first tab.

D. Restart the browser to return to the original tab.

Solution

1. Step 1: Save the original window handle

   Before switching tabs, save the current window handle in a variable.

2. Step 2: Switch back using saved handle

   Use driver.switch_to.window(original_handle) to return control to the original tab.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Closing tabs or restarting browser is inefficient; default_window() does not exist in Selenium Python.

4. Final Answer:

   Store the original window handle before switching, then use driver.switch_to.window(original_handle) to return. -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Save handle, then switch back using it [OK]

Hint: Always save original handle to switch back later [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use non-existent default_window() method
• Closing tabs instead of switching
• Restarting browser unnecessarily