How to select a drop-down menu value with Selenium using Python?

python

selenium

webdriver

dropdown

byAnton Shumikhin·Nov 13, 2024

In the world of Selenium with Python, interact with drop-down menus using the Select class. First, grab the drop-down menu by its element locator (id, name, class, etc.), then have Select battle with it to select an option using its value, index, or visible text.

from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import Select

# Previous journey to webdriver initialization left for your imagination (like Middle-earth)
select = Select(driver.find_element_by_id("menu")) # You know, like a restaurant menu!
select.select_by_value("optionValue")  # Think of this as the 'filet mignon' of select options.
# You can also play with:
# select.select_by_index(42) # The answer to life, the universe, and everything.
# select.select_by_visible_text("Text") # For when 'filet mignon' just doesn't cut it.

Here, select_by_value("optionValue") picks an option from the drop-down with id="menu". Don't forget to customize "menu" and "optionValue" to match your very own HTML element IDs and values!

If your drop-down menu still asleep and needs a little wake-up tickle (marketing guys call this 'dynamic'), remember to wait for the clickability of options using Selenium's WebDriverWait.

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

wait = WebDriverWait(driver, 10) # Because patience is a virtue!
select = Select(wait.until(EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, "menu"))))

This little waiting game is crucial for drop-down menus that load their option goodies dynamically (like those surprise cookies from grandma).

Working with Dynamic dropdowns

When your drop-down menu prefers living on the edge and loading options dynamically, or just decides to take a coffee break and not load all options immediately, use WebDriverWait to manage those adrenaline junkie AJAX components:

from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

dropdown = WebDriverWait(driver, 10).until(
    EC.element_to_be_clickable((By.ID, "dynamicDropdownID"))
) # Like waiting for a friend who's always late!
select = Select(dropdown)
select.select_by_visible_text("Dynamic Option Text") # For when you are tired of your friend being late.

Mastering Select like a Super Saiyan

Enumerate and conquer

If your options seem limitless, you can enumerate all options to find out which option didn't receive the 'be invisible' memo:

select = Select(driver.find_element_by_id("menu"))
options = select.options # Feels like stepping inside the matrix.

for index, option in enumerate(options):
    if "DesiredOption" in option.text: # When you finally spot Waldo!
        select.select_by_index(index)
        break # Too many options making your head spin? Then break free!

Fancy element finding i.e., Xpath and CSS Selector, when IDs fail:

When IDs take a day off, or your drop-down is playing hide-n-seek in a complex HTML puzzle, find_element_by_xpath and find_element_by_css_selector can lend a helping hand:

# Xpath to the rescue when IDs are on strike
select = Select(driver.find_element_by_xpath("//select[@name='dropdownName']"))

# CSS Selector, because the name wasn't cool enough
select = Select(driver.find_element_by_css_selector("select.classname"))

Say no to extra clicks

Remember, some drop-down menus are born confident and do not require an encouraging click to show off their options. Don't be a stage mom and avoid extra pom-pom waves.

Embrace your trust issues – verify selections

It's okay to double-check (looking at you, lockdown browser!). Confirm your hard-earned option selection:

selected_option = select.first_selected_option
assert "Visible Text" in selected_option.text  # Because 'assertive' you is cool and productive.

Initiate like a champ

Make sure Selenium WebDriver and Select get off to a fresh, clear-eyed start to avoid mid-life crisis such as NoSuchElementException. Check if the driver is on the right page URL and the drop-down has finished make-up before the big shoot.

Click, only when you have to

Some dropdown menus require interaction to wake up the options. Use driver.click() on the dropdown to wake it up gently, then wait for specific options using WebDriverWait.

explain-codes / Python / How to select a drop-down menu value with Selenium using Python?

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