Mastering Keyboard Actions in Selenium

In Selenium, automating keyboard actions is important for simulating real user interactions with web applications. Whether it’s typing text, pressing specific keys, or handling modifier keys, mastering keyboard actions ensures that tests cover all types of user behaviors.

This article explains the different ways to handle keyboard actions in Selenium along with examples to effectively simulate user input.

What are Keyboard Actions in Selenium?

Keyboard actions in Selenium mean simulating the pressing and releasing of keys on the keyboard.

These actions are important for testing interactive elements like input fields, forms, or shortcuts. Selenium provides various ways to perform keyboard actions, such as typing text, pressing keys, and managing key modifiers like Shift, Ctrl, and Alt.

By automating keyboard actions, testers can analyze real-time user behavior, confirming that the application responds accurately to user inputs during test execution.

Common Use Cases for Keyboard Actions

Some of the common use cases where keyboard actions are used include:

• Typing Text Into Input Fields: Automatically entering data into form fields during form submissions.
• Submitting Forms With The Enter Key: Press the Enter key to submit a form.
• Navigating Between Elements With The Tab Key: It is easy to navigate between elements on a screen using keyboard keys.
• Clearing Text: Analyze keyboard actions to clear input fields using the Backspace or Delete key.
• Handling Modifier Keys: Automate actions involving modifier keys like Shift, Ctrl, or Alt for shortcuts or other combinations.

Different ways to handle Keyboard Actions in Selenium

Selenium offers different ways to perform keyboard actions, depending on the case and complexity of user interaction, such as:

1. Sendkeys Method

The sendKeys() method is one of the simplest ways to handle keyboard actions. It allows to simulation of typing text into an input field.

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.id("username"));

inputField.sendKeys("testuser");

The sendKeys() method only works for basic functionality, as it doesn’t offer the flexibility needed for complex keyboard actions like pressing multiple keys or handling modifier keys.

2. Actions Class

It provides a more robust and flexible way to handle keyboard actions. It allows one to perform a sequence of actions like pressing and releasing keys, combining multiple key presses, and simulating mouse movements.

Actions actions = new Actions(driver);

actions.sendKeys(Keys.CONTROL, "a").perform();

3. JavascriptExecutor

For complex cases, the JavascriptExecutor interface can be used to execute JavaScirpt code that simulates keyboard actions.

JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor) driver;

js.executeScript("arguments[0].value='testuser';", inputField);

4. Robot Class

Robot class simulates low-level keyboard events and can be useful in certain cases where Selenium’s basic features don’t work well.

Robot robot = new Robot();

robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_CONTROL);

robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_C);  // Simulate Ctrl + C

robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_C);

robot.keyRelease(KeyEvent.VK_CONTROL);

5. Handling Modifier Keys (Ctrl, Shift, Alt)

Modifier keys like Ctrl, Shift, and Alt are regularly used in keyboard shortcuts. Selenium allows us to handle these keys in combination with others to simulate more complex actions like copying, pasting, and selecting all text.

Commonly Used Keyboard Events in Selenium

Here are some of the commonly used keyboard events and their syntax in Selenium:

1. send_keys

The sendKeys() method is an easy way to simulate typing text into input fields.

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.id("inputBox"));

inputField.sendKeys("Hello World!");

2. key_down and key_up

The keyDown() and keyUp() methods are used to simulate pressing and releasing keys. These methods are useful when dealing with modifier keys.

Actions actions = new Actions(driver);

actions.keyDown(Keys.CONTROL).sendKeys("a").keyUp(Keys.CONTROL).perform();

3. perform

The perform() method is used to execute a series of actions after chaining them together with the Actions class. This method is important when performing complex key combinations or sequences.

Actions actions = new Actions(driver);

actions.keyDown(Keys.SHIFT).sendKeys("hello").keyUp(Keys.SHIFT).perform();

4. Using Modifier Keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt)

Modifier keys are often used in conjunction with other keys to perform actions such as selecting text, copying, or pasting.

• Ctrl + A: Select all text.
• Ctrl + C: Copy selected text.
• Ctrl + V: Paste copied text.
• Shift + Arrow: Select text one character at a time.

Actions actions = new Actions(driver);

actions.keyDown(Keys.CONTROL).sendKeys("a").keyUp(Keys.CONTROL).perform();

actions.keyDown(Keys.CONTROL).sendKeys("c").keyUp(Keys.CONTROL).perform();

Simulating Keyboard Actions with Examples

1. Typing Text in Input Fields

Simulating typing text into an input field is the most common use case for keyboard actions. Use sendKeys() or the Actions class to enter data into fields.

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.id("inputField"));

inputField.sendKeys("Hello, Selenium!");

2. Submitting Forms with the Enter key

To complete the form submission, use the Enter key.

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.id("inputField"));

inputField.sendKeys("Test form data");

inputField.sendKeys(Keys.RETURN);

3. Navigating Between Elements with Tab

Easily press the Tab key to navigate through form elements.

WebElement firstNameField = driver.findElement(By.id("firstName"));

firstNameField.sendKeys("Ayush");



WebElement lastNameField = driver.findElement(By.id("lastName"));

firstNameField.sendKeys(Keys.TAB);

lastNameField.sendKeys("Singh");

4. Clearing Text Using Keyboard

To clear text from an input field, use the Backspace key.

WebElement inputField = driver.findElement(By.id("inputField"));

inputField.sendKeys("Old Text");

inputField.sendKeys(Keys.BACK_SPACE);

Talk to an Expert

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Conclusion

Keyboard actions in Selenium are important for simulating complex user behaviors and testing real-world scenarios.

By understanding different methods like the sendKeys(), Actions class, and Robot class, as well as handling modifier keys, easily integrate accurate keyboard input in the tests.

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