Selenium Webdriver submit() vs click()

Last Updated : 28 Aug, 2024

When working with Selenium WebDriver for web automation, you often need to interact with web elements like forms and buttons. Two commonly used methods for triggering actions in Selenium are submit() and click(). Understanding the differences between submit() and click() is crucial for effective test automation. The submit() method is typically used to submit forms, while click() simulates a mouse click on various clickable elements.

In this article, we'll explore the key distinctions between these methods, helping you choose the right one for your testing scenarios

Table of Content

What is submit() in Selenium WebDriver?
What is click() in Selenium WebDriver?
Key Differences Between submit() and click()
Examples of Selenium Webdriver submit() and click().
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions on Selenium Webdriver submit() vs click().

What is submit() in Selenium WebDriver?

The submit() method in Selenium WebDriver is used to submit a form. It is typically invoked on a form element and triggers the form submission, which generally leads to navigation to a new page or a response from the server.

How submit() Works:

It submits the form associated with the web element (typically an <input type="submit"> or <button type="submit">).
It is equivalent to pressing the "Submit" button in a form.

Example:

// Locate the form element and submit it
WebElement form = driver.findElement(By.id("loginForm"));
form.submit();

In the example above, the form with the ID loginForm is submitted, triggering the form's action.

What is click() in Selenium WebDriver?

The click() method in Selenium WebDriver is used to simulate a mouse click on a web element. This method is versatile and can be used to interact with various elements, including buttons, links, and other clickable elements.

How click() Works:

It triggers the click event on the element, which may lead to form submission, navigation, or any other action defined by the element's event handler.

Example:

// Locate the submit button and click it
WebElement submitButton = driver.findElement(By.id("submitButton"));
submitButton.click();

In this example, the button with the ID submitButton is clicked, which might submit the form or perform other actions.

Key Differences Between submit() and click()

Here are the Key Differences Between submit() and click():

Aspect	`submit()` Method	`click()` Method
Primary Use	Used to submit forms in which the element is located.	Used to simulate a mouse click on any clickable element.
Element Type	Typically used on form elements such as input fields (e.g., `<input>`, `<textarea>`) within a form.	Can be used on a variety of elements like buttons, links, checkboxes, etc.
Form Submission	Automatically submits the form associated with the element.	Does not necessarily submit a form unless the clicked element is a submit button.
Triggering Events	Can trigger the form’s `onSubmit` event handler.	Triggers the `onClick` event handler of the element.
Form Association	Requires the element to be inside a form.	Does not require the element to be inside a form.
Action Simulated	Simulates pressing the Enter key on a form field.	Simulates a mouse click action.
Common Usage	Commonly used when the form needs to be submitted without explicitly clicking a submit button.	Commonly used to click buttons, links, or checkboxes.
Form Context	Automatically submits the parent form of the element.	Clicks the specific element, with no effect on form submission unless it is a submit button.
Example Usage	`searchBox.submit();`	`searchButton.click();`
Error Handling	May throw an error if the element is not inside a form.	Typically safer, with broader applicability across various elements.

Examples of Selenium Webdriver submit() and click()

Using submit()

Java

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 io.github.bonigarcia.wdm.WebDriverManager;

public class SubmitExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriverManager.chromedriver().setup();

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

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

        try {
            // Navigate to Google
            driver.get("https://www.google.com");

            // Locate the Google search box
            WebElement searchBox = driver.findElement(By.name("q"));

            // Type a query in the search box
            searchBox.sendKeys("Selenium WebDriver submit() example");

            // Use submit() method to submit the form
            searchBox.submit();

            // Pause to observe the results
            Thread.sleep(3000);  // Sleep for 3 seconds

            System.out.println("Search completed using submit().");
        } catch (Exception e) {
            System.out.println("An error occurred: " + e.getMessage());
        } finally {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

Output:

Using click()

Java

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 io.github.bonigarcia.wdm.WebDriverManager;

public class ClickExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriverManager.chromedriver().setup();

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

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

        try {
            // Navigate to Google
            driver.get("https://www.google.com");

            // Locate the Google search box
            WebElement searchBox = driver.findElement(By.name("q"));

            // Type a query in the search box
            searchBox.sendKeys("Selenium WebDriver click() example");

            // Locate the Google Search button
            WebElement searchButton = driver.findElement(By.name("btnK"));

            // Pause briefly to ensure the search button is interactable
            Thread.sleep(1000);  // Sleep for 1 second

            // Use click() method to submit the search
            searchButton.click();

            // Pause to observe the results
            Thread.sleep(3000);  // Sleep for 3 seconds

            System.out.println("Search completed using click().");
        } catch (Exception e) {
            System.out.println("An error occurred: " + e.getMessage());
        } finally {
            driver.quit();
        }
    }
}

Output:

Conclusion

In summary, both submit() and click() methods are essential tools in Selenium WebDriver for interacting with web elements. Submit() is specifically designed for submitting forms, making it ideal when dealing with input fields within a form context. On the other hand, click() offers more versatility, allowing you to simulate mouse clicks on a wide range of elements, including buttons and links.

By understanding when to use submit() vs click() in Selenium WebDriver, you can ensure more accurate and efficient automation scripts, enhancing your overall testing strategy.

How to Automate Click Using Selenium WebDriver?

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