Locating Web Elements Using ID, Name, and Class Name in Selenium Java

In Selenium automation, one of the most fundamental tasks is locating web elements on a page to interact with them. Whether you're clicking a button, entering text in a form, or reading data, everything begins with identifying the correct element. Selenium WebDriver offers multiple strategies to locate elements, and among the most commonly used are ID, Name, and Class Name.

This blog will guide you through using these three strategies in Selenium Java, including best practices and real-world usage.

1. Locating Elements by ID

The ID attribute is the most preferred and fastest locator strategy in Selenium. It is unique to each element on a page, making it reliable and efficient.

Syntax:

java

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("elementID"));

Example:

java

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

usernameField.sendKeys("testuser");

Best Practice:

• Always use By.id() if the element has a unique ID.
• IDs are often static and do not change across sessions, which makes them ideal for automation.

2. Locating Elements by Name

The Name attribute is often used in form inputs, making it a handy locator for fields like usernames, passwords, and search boxes.

Syntax:

java

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("elementName"));

Example:

java

WebElement searchField = driver.findElement(By.name("q"));

searchField.sendKeys("Selenium Java");

Best Practice:

• Ensure the name attribute is unique or scoped within a specific section of the DOM.
• Use it when id is unavailable or dynamic.

3. Locating Elements by Class Name

The Class Name locator allows you to target elements using the class attribute. It's useful for locating elements styled similarly, such as buttons or labels.

Syntax:

java

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.className("className"));

Example:

java

WebElement loginButton = driver.findElement(By.className("btn-login"));

loginButton.click();

Important Note:

If an element has multiple classes, By.className() expects only one class name.

html

<div class="btn primary">Click</div>

You should use:

java

driver.findElement(By.className("btn")); // Not "btn primary"

Best Practice:

• Avoid using class names that are common across multiple elements unless you use it with context (e.g., within a specific parent)

Handling NoSuchElementException

Sometimes, even if your locator syntax is correct, Selenium may throw a NoSuchElementException. This could be due to:

• The element not being loaded yet.
• A typo in the locator.
• The element being inside an iframe or shadow DOM.

Solution:

• Use WebDriverWait to wait for the element:

java

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

WebElement element = wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id("username")));

Final Thoughts

Mastering the use of ID, Name, and Class Name locators is essential for any Selenium Java automation tester. These locators are easy to use, efficient, and work well for most static elements. However, always inspect the HTML structure and choose the locator strategy that ensures reliability and maintainability.

In the long run, combining these basic locators with advanced strategies like XPath or CSS selectors will give you the flexibility to handle even the most complex web elements with ease.

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Read More: Writing Your First Selenium Java Test Script

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