Mastering Browser Automation with Python and Selenium
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Window Management and Screenshot Techniques
In our previous discussion, we delved into controlling mouse activities. In this installment, we'll focus on how to manage the size and position of the browser window, along with techniques to capture screenshots.
In part six of this series, we examined window handles and how to switch between them. This segment will wrap up the window management topic.
Window Management Overview
Screen resolution can significantly affect how web applications appear, which is why Selenium WebDriver offers tools to move and resize the browser window.
To obtain the current size of the browser window in pixels, you can use the get_window_size method. This returns a dictionary containing the width and height:
width = driver.get_window_size().get("width")
height = driver.get_window_size().get("height")
To adjust the window size, set_window_size can be employed as shown below:
driver.set_window_size(1024, 768)
A POST request will be sent to the /session/:sessionId/window/:windowHandle/size endpoint with the specified width and height.
Getting and Setting Window Position
These methods allow you to retrieve the window's current position or relocate it. For instance, you can move the window to the top-left corner of the primary monitor:
driver.set_window_position(0, 0)
The following example first sets the window dimensions to 600 pixels wide and 300 pixels tall, then adjusts its vertical position to 300 pixels from the top and shifts it to the far left by setting the x-coordinate to 0.
Maximizing and Fullscreening Windows
The maximize_window method enlarges the browser window, allowing it to fill the screen while still leaving the operating system's menus and toolbars accessible:
driver.maximize_window()
To make the window occupy the entire screen, akin to pressing F11, you can use:
driver.fullscreen_window()
How to Capture Screenshots
Selenium allows you to take screenshots of either the entire window or specific elements on a webpage.
Capturing a Window Screenshot
You can capture a screenshot of the current browsing context using either the get_screenshot_as_file or save_screenshot methods to save it as a PNG file. Alternatively, you can obtain the screenshot as binary data through get_screenshot_as_png, or as a base64 string suitable for embedded images in HTML using get_screenshot_as_base64.
The following example captures a screenshot of the homepage and saves it as home_page.png.
Capturing an Element Screenshot
To capture a screenshot of a specific element, use the screenshot method. You can similarly retrieve the screenshot in binary or base64 formats, but this time, you will call the methods on the WebElement instance.
The following example saves a screenshot of the links section on the page.
Key Takeaways
Selenium WebDriver provides the necessary tools for moving and resizing the browser window.
- Use get_window_size and set_window_size to query and change window dimensions.
- Use get_window_position and set_window_position to obtain the current window position and move it to specified coordinates.
- The maximize_window method enlarges the window without obstructing system menus and toolbars.
- The fullscreen_window method fills the screen entirely, similar to pressing F11.
- Selenium also provides methods to capture screenshots of the window or specific elements on the page.
You can use get_screenshot_as_file or save_screenshot for windows, and the screenshot method for elements to save their screenshots as PNG files.
In our next post, we will explore the Page Object Model for improved code structure.
Thank you for your attention!
References
In this video, you will learn how to generate screenshots using Selenium with Python, enhancing your automation capabilities.
This tutorial covers the essentials of Selenium browser automation in Python, providing practical insights into effective automation strategies.