How to Select Date from Datepicker in Selenium Webdriver using Java?

In the world of web automation, selecting a date from a datepicker is a common task, especially for applications that involve date selection, such as booking systems, forms, and reservations. Selenium WebDriver is a powerful tool for automating web browsers, and when combined with Java, it provides a robust solution for interacting with web elements, including datepickers.

This article will guide you through the steps to select a date from a datepicker using Selenium WebDriver in Java, providing a clear and practical example.

Steps to select Date from Datepicker with Selenium using Java

Here are the steps to select a date from a Datepicker using Selenium and Java:

1. Find the Datepicker: Locate the Datepicker element on the webpage.
2. Open the Datepicker: Click on the Datepicker to show the calendar.
3. Go to the Right Month/Year: If the date you want isn’t visible, use the navigation buttons to find the correct month or year.
4. Pick the Date: Click on the date you want to select.
5. Check the Selection: Optionally, make sure the correct date has been picked.

package com.example.tests;

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.ExpectedConditions;
import org.openqa.selenium.support.ui.WebDriverWait;
import io.github.bonigarcia.wdm.WebDriverManager;

import java.time.Duration;

public class DatePickerExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Set up ChromeDriver using WebDriverManager
        WebDriverManager.chromedriver().setup();

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

        // Maximize the browser window
        driver.manage().window().maximize();

        try {
            // Open the website with the Datepicker
            driver.get("https://www.globalsqa.com/demo-site/datepicker/");

            // Switch to the iframe containing the Datepicker
            driver.switchTo().frame(driver.findElement(By.cssSelector(".demo-frame")));

            // Initialize WebDriverWait
            WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, Duration.ofSeconds(10));

            // Wait until the Datepicker element is visible and click it
            WebElement datepicker = wait.until(
                ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id("datepicker"))
            );
            datepicker.click();
            System.out.println("Datepicker opened");

            // Select a specific date, e.g., 27th of the current month
            WebElement dateToSelect = wait.until(
                ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.xpath("//a[text()='27']"))
            );
            dateToSelect.click();
            System.out.println("Date '27' selected");
        } finally {
            // Close the WebDriver
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

Output:

How to Handle Calendar in Selenium

Handling a calendar in Selenium often involves dealing with dynamic elements. Here are some tips to manage these elements effectively:

• Frame Handling: Many datepickers are embedded within iframes. Ensure you switch to the correct iframe before interacting with the datepicker.
• Dynamic Date Navigation: For datepickers that require navigation through months or years, locate the navigation buttons (e.g., next or previous) and use Selenium to interact with them.
• XPath and CSS Selectors: Use precise XPath or CSS selectors to locate date elements. This is crucial for selecting specific dates.

How to Run Selenium Date Picker Tests on Real Devices Using Tools

To test datepickers on real devices, you can use tools like LambdaTest or BrowserStack. These platforms offer cloud-based testing environments where you can run your Selenium tests on a wide range of real devices and browsers.

• LambdaTest: Provides a real-time testing platform for running Selenium tests on a cloud grid of real devices.
• BrowserStack: Offers access to a vast range of devices and browsers for cross-browser testing.

Why Use Tools to Automate Selenium Tests?

Automating tests with tools like LambdaTest or BrowserStack provides several advantages:

• Cross-Browser Testing: Test across multiple browsers and versions to ensure compatibility.
• Device Diversity: Access real devices for testing, which helps in identifying issues that may not appear on simulators.
• Scalability: Run tests in parallel across different environments to speed up the testing process.

Conclusion

Selecting a date from a datepicker using Selenium WebDriver and Java is a straightforward task when you follow the right steps. By leveraging Selenium's capabilities, you can automate interactions with datepickers effectively. Tools like LambdaTest and BrowserStack further enhance your testing by providing access to real devices and various browsers. With these techniques, you can ensure that your web applications handle date selection seamlessly across different platforms and devices.