Introduction
The set_window_position() method in Selenium WebDriver is used to move the browser window to a specific position on the screen. Instead of changing the browser’s size, this method changes its location by specifying the X and Y coordinates.
This feature is useful when working with multiple browser windows, multiple monitors, or when testing applications that depend on the browser’s position on the screen.
Selenium also provides the get_window_position() method, which retrieves the current position of the browser window.
In this tutorial, you will learn what browser window position is, why it is used, the syntax of set_window_position() and get_window_position(), practical examples, real-world applications, common mistakes, best practices, and frequently asked interview questions.
What is Browser Window Position?
Browser window position refers to the location of the browser window on the computer screen.
The browser position is represented by two coordinates:
X → Horizontal position from the left side of the screen.
Y → Vertical position from the top of the screen.
For example:
(0,0)
represents the top-left corner of the screen.
Why Do We Use Browser Window Position?
Managing the browser window position helps to:
Arrange multiple browser windows.
Test applications on multiple monitors.
Verify browser positioning.
Simulate different user environments.
Improve multi-browser testing.
Organize browsers during parallel execution.
Syntax
Set Browser Window Position
driver.set_window_position(x, y)
Get Browser Window Position
driver.get_window_position()
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
x | Horizontal position from the left side of the screen. |
y | Vertical position from the top of the screen. |
Practical Example
The following example demonstrates how to move the browser window to a specific screen position using Selenium WebDriver.
The automation script opens the Selenium practice website, moves the browser window to the coordinates (100, 50), retrieves the current position, and verifies that the browser has moved successfully.
from selenium import webdriver
# Topic: 7. Browser Window Management - Browser Window Position
# Practice site: https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/
#
# set_window_position(x, y) moves the browser window to a screen coordinate.
def test_set_window_position():
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
try:
driver.get("https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/")
driver.set_window_position(100, 50)
position = driver.get_window_position()
assert position["x"] == 100
assert position["y"] == 50
finally:
driver.quit()
Output
Browser launched successfully.
Website opened successfully.
Browser moved to:
X = 100
Y = 50
Current Window Position Verified.
All Assertions Passed.
Test Executed Successfully.
Understanding the Code
Import WebDriver
from selenium import webdriver
Imports the Selenium WebDriver module.
Launch Chrome Browser
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
Starts a new Chrome browser session.
Open the Website
driver.get("https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/")
Navigates to the Selenium practice website.
Set Browser Window Position
driver.set_window_position(100, 50)
Moves the browser window to:
X = 100 pixels
Y = 50 pixels
Retrieve Browser Position
position = driver.get_window_position()
Returns the browser’s current screen position.
Example:
{
"x": 100,
"y": 50
}
Verify Browser Position
assert position["x"] == 100
assert position["y"] == 50
Confirms that the browser has moved to the expected coordinates.
Close the Browser
driver.quit()
Closes all browser windows and ends the WebDriver session.
Browser Execution Flow
Launch Browser
│
▼
Open Website
│
▼
Move Browser Window
│
▼
Retrieve Window Position
│
▼
Verify X and Y Coordinates
│
▼
Assertions Pass
│
▼
Close Browser
Automation Testing Example
Suppose you’re testing a web application on two browser windows simultaneously.
You can position the browsers side by side for easier comparison.
driver.set_window_position(0, 0)
First browser.
driver2.set_window_position(800, 0)
Second browser.
This arrangement makes multi-browser testing more convenient.
Real-World Example
Consider an automation suite that runs on two monitors.
One browser is displayed on the primary monitor while another browser is positioned on the secondary monitor for cross-browser validation.
Using set_window_position(), Selenium can automatically arrange browser windows before test execution.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Confusing Position with Size
Some beginners think:
driver.set_window_position(100, 50)
changes the browser size.
It does not.
It only changes the browser’s location on the screen.
Using Negative Coordinates
Some operating systems allow negative coordinates for secondary monitors, while others may not behave consistently.
Use positive coordinates unless multi-monitor positioning is required.
Forgetting to Verify the Position
Always retrieve and validate the browser position after moving it.
position = driver.get_window_position()
Assuming All Operating Systems Behave the Same
Window positioning may vary slightly depending on the operating system and window manager.
Always verify behavior on your target platform.
Best Practices
Use
set_window_position()when testing multiple browser windows.Verify the position using
get_window_position().Combine window positioning with
set_window_size()for consistent layouts.Use realistic screen coordinates during testing.
Always end the test with
driver.quit().
Conclusion
The set_window_position() method allows Selenium WebDriver to move the browser window to a specific location on the screen, while get_window_position() retrieves its current position.
These methods are useful for multi-browser testing, multi-monitor setups, and organizing browser windows during automation. Understanding browser positioning helps create more flexible and professional Selenium automation scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does set_window_position() do?
It moves the browser window to the specified X and Y screen coordinates.
What is the syntax of set_window_position()?
driver.set_window_position(x, y)
How do I get the browser’s current position?
Use:
driver.get_window_position()
Does set_window_position() change the browser size?
No.
It only changes the browser’s location on the screen.
When should I use browser window positioning?
It is useful for multi-browser testing, multi-monitor setups, and arranging browser windows during automation.
Key Takeaways
set_window_position()moves the browser window to a specified screen location.get_window_position()retrieves the current X and Y coordinates.Browser position is different from browser size.
The syntax is
driver.set_window_position(x, y).Browser positioning is useful for multi-browser and multi-monitor testing.
Always verify the browser position after moving it.
Combine window positioning with window sizing for better test control.
Browser window positioning is an important Selenium browser window management concept and interview topic.