Switching Between Windows in Selenium Python

When automating web applications with Selenium in Python, one common challenge is handling multiple browser windows or tabs. This is especially relevant when clicking on links that open in a new window—such as external sites, pop-ups, or file downloads. By default, Selenium interacts with only the main browser window. To interact with others, you must explicitly switch between them.

In this blog, we’ll dive into how to switch between multiple windows or tabs using Selenium in Python, complete with code examples and best practices.

Why Window Switching is Important

Real-world websites often open new tabs or windows for:

• Payment gateways
• Terms and conditions
• Login through third-party providers (Google, Facebook)
• Download confirmations or previews

To perform actions on these new windows (e.g., clicking buttons, verifying content), you must switch Selenium’s control from the main window to the newly opened one.

Getting Started with Selenium in Python

First, install Selenium if you haven’t already:

bash

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pip install selenium

Ensure you have the correct WebDriver for your browser (e.g., ChromeDriver for Chrome).

python

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from selenium import webdriver

driver = webdriver.Chrome()

driver.get("https://example.com")

Working with Window Handles

Each browser window or tab opened by Selenium is assigned a unique identifier called a window handle.

python

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main_window = driver.current_window_handle

all_windows = driver.window_handles

driver.current_window_handle returns the current active window.

driver.window_handles returns a list of all window handles opened by Selenium.

Example: Switching Between Windows

Here’s a complete example demonstrating how to switch between windows:

python

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from selenium import webdriver

import time

# Launch browser

driver = webdriver.Chrome()

driver.get("https://demoqa.com/browser-windows")

# Click the button that opens a new tab

driver.find_element("id", "tabButton").click()

# Wait to ensure the new tab is open

time.sleep(2)

# Get handles

main_window = driver.current_window_handle

all_windows = driver.window_handles

# Switch to the new window

for window in all_windows:

    if window != main_window:

        driver.switch_to.window(window)

        break

# Perform actions in the new window

print("Title of new window:", driver.title)

print("Text in new window:", driver.find_element("id", "sampleHeading").text)

# Close new window and switch back

driver.close()

driver.switch_to.window(main_window)

# Continue with main window

print("Back to main window:", driver.title)

driver.quit()

Best Practices

• Always store the main window handle before opening a new one.
• Use waits (time.sleep or WebDriverWait) to ensure the new window is fully loaded.
• Close the child window after use to avoid resource leaks.
• Use try-finally or teardown methods to ensure windows are cleaned up in tests.

Common Use Cases

• Verifying links that open in new tabs
• Handling OAuth logins via pop-up windows
• Automating PDF or document previews
• Testing ads or embedded services that open externally

Conclusion

Mastering window switching in Selenium Python is crucial for creating reliable and comprehensive test automation scripts. Whether you're testing third-party integrations, pop-ups, or multi-tab workflows, Selenium’s window-handling capabilities let you interact with any browser window just like a real user would.

With these techniques, you can automate even the most complex browser interactions with ease. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to handle any multi-window scenario with confidence.

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Read More: Automating Checkbox and Radio Buttons with Selenium Python

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