Selenium WebDriver: Understanding the sendKeys() Method in Java

The sendKeys() method is one of the most frequently used methods in Selenium WebDriver for Java. It allows you to simulate keyboard input, just like a real user would type into a text field or form element in the browser. Whether you’re entering a username, password, search term, or any form data, sendKeys() is the go-to method.

What is sendKeys() method in Selenium?

The sendKeys() method is defined in the WebElement interface in Selenium. It simulates typing characters into an input field, textarea, or even sending keystrokes like ENTER, TAB, etc. It behaves the same way as physical keyboard input would when a user interacts with the browser.

Syntax:

void sendKeys(CharSequence... keysToSend);

Parameters: One or more characters/sequences to send to the element.
Returns: Nothing (void method).
Defined in: org.openqa.selenium.WebElement

Common Use Cases

Typing in text fields (username, password)
Filling out form elements
Sending special keys like Keys.ENTER, Keys.TAB
Simulating keyboard events for automation

Example: Typing Text in a Form Input

Here’s a basic Selenium test that opens a website and enters credentials in a login form:

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.Keys;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;

public class SendKeysExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Set ChromeDriver path
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "/path/to/chromedriver");

        // Initialize the WebDriver
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();

        // Open a website
        driver.get("https://www.example.com/login");

        // Locate the username field and type text
        WebElement usernameField = driver.findElement(By.id("username"));
        usernameField.sendKeys("myUsername");

        // Locate the password field and type text
        WebElement passwordField = driver.findElement(By.id("password"));
        passwordField.sendKeys("myPassword");

        // Submit the form by pressing ENTER in the password field
        passwordField.sendKeys(Keys.ENTER);

        // Optional: close browser after the test
        driver.quit();
    }
}

Sending Special Keys

You can also send special keys using the Keys class from org.openqa.selenium.Keys. For example:

element.sendKeys(Keys.TAB);       // Presses Tab key
element.sendKeys(Keys.ENTER);     // Presses Enter key
element.sendKeys(Keys.CONTROL + "a"); // Select all text (Ctrl + A)

Note: You may need to wait for the element to be clickable or visible before sending keys.

Tips & Best Practices

1. Use the clear() method before sendKeys() if the input field may already contain text:

element.clear(); 
element.sendKeys("New text");

2. Use explicit waits (like WebDriverWait) when dealing with dynamically loaded elements.

3. Be aware that sendKeys() may not work on non-input elements or elements hidden by JavaScript.

4. Use Keys enum for special keyboard interactions.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why it’s a Problem	Solution
Sending keys to non-input elements	Will throw an exception	Make sure the WebElement is a valid input
Not using waits	Element not found or not interactable	Use `WebDriverWait`
Not clearing input before typing	Old text remains in input field	Use `element.clear()` before `sendKeys()`
Using wrong locator	ElementNotFound or NoSuchElementException thrown	Double-check locators using browser dev tools