The sendKeys() Command

Simulating keyboard typing into form fields in Selenium WebDriver.

Concept

The sendKeys() command tells Selenium to type characters into an element as if a user is using the keyboard.

Mental Model

Find the element → Focus it → Type the given keys into it

Works With

<input> elements (text, email, password, etc.)
<textarea>
Elements with contenteditable="true"

Common Uses

Filling form fields: Username, password, email, address.
Search boxes: Typing search terms.
Login credentials: Entering username/password.
Text editing areas: Comments, descriptions, chat boxes.

Best Practice

Always use a stable locator (like id) when possible. Prefer to clear the field first before typing, so tests are deterministic.

Interactive Practice

Typing Practice

Username Input

Element ID: lesson4-input

Current value: (empty)

Type into the input field and watch the "Current value" update. This mimics how Selenium sends keys to the element.

Java Code Example

SendKeysTest.java

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WebElement usernameInput = driver.findElement(By.id("lesson4-input"));
usernameInput.clear();
usernameInput.sendKeys("Hello World");

driver.quit();

Code Breakdown

driver.findElement(By.id("lesson4-input")): Finds the username input field using its unique id.
usernameInput.clear(): Clears any existing text inside the input. This makes your test consistent.
usernameInput.sendKeys("Hello World"): Simulates typing "Hello World" into the input, character by character.
driver.quit(): Closes the browser and ends the WebDriver session.

Pro Tip

Reading Values

For <input> and <textarea>, always use getAttribute("value") to read what’s inside—getText() won’t work.

Special Keys

sendKeys() accepts special keys: sendKeys("Hello", Keys.ENTER) types "Hello" then presses Enter.

Modifier Keys

Combine keys like Keys.CONTROL, "a" to Select All, Copy, or Paste for richer interactions.