How to Use find_element() and find_elements() in Python

 When automating web applications using Selenium in Python, interacting with web elements is crucial. Two of the most commonly used methods for locating these elements are find_element() and find_elements(). While they sound similar, they serve different purposes and behave differently. Understanding when and how to use them is essential for writing effective Selenium scripts.

1. Understanding find_element()

The find_element() method is used to locate a single web element on a webpage. If the element is found, it returns the first matching element. If not, it throws a NoSuchElementException.

Syntax:

driver.find_element(by=By.ID, value="element_id")

Example:

from selenium import webdriver

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

driver = webdriver.Chrome()

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

search_box = driver.find_element(By.NAME, "q")

search_box.send_keys("Selenium")

This code finds the search textbox by its name attribute and types "Selenium" into it.

2. Understanding find_elements()

The find_elements() method is used to locate multiple web elements. It returns a list of all matching elements. If no elements are found, it returns an empty list, not an exception.

driver.find_elements(by=By.CLASS_NAME, value="btn")

Example:

buttons = driver.find_elements(By.CLASS_NAME, "btn") 

for button in buttons:

    print(button.text)

This example prints the text of all buttons with the class name "btn".

3. Key Differences

Feature find_element() find_elements()

Return type Single WebElement List of WebElements

If not found Throws NoSuchElementException Returns empty list

Use case When you expect only one match When multiple elements may exist

4. Best Practices

Always verify if an element is expected to appear once or multiple times.

Use find_elements() with conditional checks when unsure if elements exist.

Combine with waits (like WebDriverWait) to avoid synchronization issues.

Conclusion

Using find_element() and find_elements() correctly helps you interact with web pages more reliably in Selenium. Choose the method based on whether you expect a single element or a collection. With proper use of locators and best practices, you can build robust and efficient automation scripts in Python.

Learn Selenium with Java Training Course

Read more 

Setting Up Selenium with PyCharm

Choosing the Right Browser Driver

Common Errors in Selenium Python and How to Fix Them 

Introduction to Locators in Selenium Python

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