Date picker interaction in Selenium Python

Introduction

A date picker lets users choose a date easily. Testing it ensures users can select the right date without errors.

When testing a booking website where users pick check-in and check-out dates.

When filling forms that require a birthdate or appointment date.

When verifying that date inputs accept only valid dates.

When checking that the date picker closes after selecting a date.

When ensuring the selected date appears correctly in the input field.

Syntax

Selenium Python

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

# Open browser and go to page
browser = webdriver.Chrome()
browser.get('URL_of_page_with_datepicker')

# Open date picker
datepicker = browser.find_element(By.ID, 'datepicker_id')
datepicker.click()

# Select date (example: 15th day)
day = browser.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='15']")
day.click()

Replace 'URL_of_page_with_datepicker' with the actual page URL.

Use unique locators like ID or XPath to find date picker elements.

Examples

Selects the 10th day from the date picker.

Selenium Python

datepicker = browser.find_element(By.ID, 'date_input')
datepicker.click()
day = browser.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='10']")
day.click()

Selects a specific date using an accessible button with aria-label.

Selenium Python

datepicker = browser.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, '.calendar-input')
datepicker.click()
day = browser.find_element(By.XPATH, "//button[@aria-label='Choose Monday, March 20, 2023']")
day.click()

Sample Program

This script opens a sample date picker, selects the 15th day, and checks if the input shows the correct date.

Selenium Python

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
import time

# Setup Chrome options
options = Options()
options.add_argument('--headless')  # Run without opening a window

# Setup Chrome driver
service = Service()
browser = webdriver.Chrome(service=service, options=options)

try:
    # Open sample page with date picker
    browser.get('https://jqueryui.com/datepicker/')

    # Switch to frame containing the date picker
    browser.switch_to.frame(browser.find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, 'demo-frame'))

    # Find the date input and click to open date picker
    date_input = browser.find_element(By.ID, 'datepicker')
    date_input.click()

    time.sleep(1)  # Wait for date picker to appear

    # Select the 15th day
    day_15 = browser.find_element(By.XPATH, "//a[text()='15']")
    day_15.click()

    # Verify the input value changed to the selected date
    selected_date = date_input.get_attribute('value')
    print(f'Selected date: {selected_date}')

    # Simple assertion
    assert '15' in selected_date, 'Date picker did not select the 15th day.'

finally:
    browser.quit()

Important Notes

Always wait briefly after opening the date picker to let it render.

Use assertions to confirm the date was selected correctly.

Use unique and stable locators to avoid flaky tests.

Summary

Date pickers help users select dates easily.

Test by opening the picker, choosing a date, and checking the input value.

Use clear locators and assertions to make tests reliable.

Practice

1. What is the primary purpose of interacting with a date picker in Selenium tests?

easy

A. To test if the date picker changes color when clicked

B. To check if the date picker is visible on the page only

C. To select a date and verify it appears correctly in the input field

D. To verify the page title changes after selecting a date

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand date picker role

   Date pickers let users pick a date easily and show it in an input field.

2. Step 2: Verify date selection in tests

   Tests should select a date and check if the input field shows the chosen date correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   To select a date and verify it appears correctly in the input field -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Date picker test = select and verify date [OK]

Hint: Pick date, then check input value matches [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Only checking visibility without selecting date
• Ignoring input field verification
• Testing unrelated UI changes like color
• Assuming page title changes after date pick

2. Which Selenium Python code snippet correctly clicks a date picker input and selects a date with locator by ID 'dateInput'?

easy

A. driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').send_keys('15')

B. driver.find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, 'dateInput').click()
driver.find_element(By.ID, '15').click()

C. driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, '#dateInput').select('15')

D. driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').click()
driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='15']").click()

Solution

1. Step 1: Click date picker input by ID

   Use By.ID with 'dateInput' to click the input field correctly.

2. Step 2: Select date by visible text

   Use XPath to find the table cell with text '15' and click it to select the date.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').click()\ndriver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='15']").click() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct locators and click actions = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').click() driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='15']").click() [OK]

Hint: Use By.ID for input, XPath for date cell text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using CLASS_NAME instead of ID for input
• Trying to send_keys directly to date cell
• Using non-existent select() method
• Wrong locator for date cell

3. What will be the output of this Selenium Python code snippet if the date picker input initially is empty and user selects date '10'?

driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').click()
driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='10']").click()
selected_date = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').get_attribute('value')
print(selected_date)

medium

A. 2024-10-10

B. 10

C. Empty string

D. None

Solution

1. Step 1: Click input and select date '10'

   The code clicks the input and selects the date cell with text '10'.

2. Step 2: Get input value attribute

   After selection, the input's value attribute usually holds the full date string, e.g., '2024-10-10'.

3. Final Answer:

   2024-10-10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Input value after date pick = full date string [OK]

Hint: Date pickers set full date string in input value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting only day number as input value
• Assuming input remains empty
• Confusing None with empty string
• Not retrieving 'value' attribute

4. Given this Selenium Python code snippet, what is the main error preventing date selection?

date_input = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput')
date_input.click()
driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='25']").send_keys(Keys.ENTER)

medium

A. Using send_keys(Keys.ENTER) on a non-input element

B. Missing import for Keys

C. Wrong locator for date input

D. Not waiting for date picker to open

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify element receiving send_keys

   The code sends ENTER key to a table cell (td), which is not an input field.

2. Step 2: Understand send_keys usage

   send_keys works on input or editable elements, not on static table cells; clicking is needed instead.

3. Final Answer:

   Using send_keys(Keys.ENTER) on a non-input element -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   send_keys on non-input element causes failure [OK]

Hint: Click date cell, don't send_keys to it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to send_keys to non-input elements
• Forgetting to import Keys
• Assuming locator is wrong without checking
• Ignoring wait for picker visibility

5. You want to write a Selenium Python test that selects the date '1' of next month in a date picker. The date picker shows current month by default and has a 'Next' button with ID 'nextMonthBtn'. Which sequence correctly selects the date?

hard

A. driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='1']").click()
driver.find_element(By.ID, 'nextMonthBtn').click()

B. driver.find_element(By.ID, 'nextMonthBtn').click()
driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='1']").click()

C. driver.find_element(By.ID, 'dateInput').send_keys('1')

D. driver.find_element(By.ID, 'nextMonthBtn').send_keys(Keys.ENTER)
driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='1']").click()

Solution

1. Step 1: Click 'Next' button to go to next month

   Click the button with ID 'nextMonthBtn' to change the calendar to next month.

2. Step 2: Click date '1' in the updated calendar

   After calendar updates, click the table cell with text '1' to select the date.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.find_element(By.ID, 'nextMonthBtn').click()\ndriver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='1']").click() -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Navigate then select date = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'nextMonthBtn').click() driver.find_element(By.XPATH, "//td[text()='1']").click() [OK]

Hint: Click next month first, then pick date [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting date before navigating to next month
• Using send_keys instead of click on buttons
• Ignoring calendar update after clicking next
• Wrong order of actions