Switching between windows in Selenium Python - Build an Automation Script

Verify switching between browser windows

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Open the main page URL

Step 2: Click the link or button that opens a new window

Step 3: Switch to the new window

Step 4: Verify the new window's title is as expected

Step 5: Close the new window

Step 6: Switch back to the original window

Step 7: Verify the original window's title is as expected

✅ Expected Result: The test switches to the new window correctly, verifies its title, closes it, and returns to the original window verifying its title.

Automation Requirements - Selenium with Python

Assertions Needed:

Assert the new window's title matches expected

Assert the original window's title matches expected after switching back

Best Practices:

Use explicit waits to ensure elements are ready before interaction

Store window handles properly to switch between windows

Close only the new window before switching back

Use try-finally or context management to clean up windows

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

# Initialize the WebDriver (Chrome example)
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
wait = WebDriverWait(driver, 10)

try:
    # Step 1: Open the main page
    driver.get('https://example.com/mainpage')
    original_window = driver.current_window_handle

    # Step 2: Click the link/button that opens a new window
    open_window_button = wait.until(EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, 'open-new-window')))
    open_window_button.click()

    # Step 3: Wait for the new window and switch to it
    wait.until(EC.number_of_windows_to_be(2))
    new_window = [window for window in driver.window_handles if window != original_window][0]
    driver.switch_to.window(new_window)

    # Step 4: Verify the new window's title
    wait.until(EC.title_is('New Window Title'))
    assert driver.title == 'New Window Title', f"Expected title 'New Window Title', got '{driver.title}'"

    # Step 5: Close the new window
    driver.close()

    # Step 6: Switch back to the original window
    driver.switch_to.window(original_window)

    # Step 7: Verify the original window's title
    wait.until(EC.title_is('Main Page Title'))
    assert driver.title == 'Main Page Title', f"Expected title 'Main Page Title', got '{driver.title}'"

finally:
    driver.quit()

This script uses Selenium WebDriver with Python to automate switching between browser windows.

First, it opens the main page and stores the original window handle.

Then it clicks a button that opens a new window and waits until two windows are present.

It finds the new window handle by excluding the original one and switches to it.

It waits for the new window's title to be correct and asserts it matches the expected title.

Next, it closes the new window and switches back to the original window.

Finally, it waits for the original window's title and asserts it is correct.

The try-finally block ensures the browser closes even if assertions fail.

Common Mistakes - 4 Pitfalls

Not waiting for the new window to open before switching

Closing the original window instead of the new window

Using hardcoded window handles

Not switching back to the original window after closing the new one

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different buttons that open different new windows with distinct titles.

Show Hint