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is_selected()

Introduction

The is_selected() method is one of Selenium’s most useful WebElement methods for determining whether selectable elements such as checkboxes, radio buttons, and certain options within dropdown menus are currently selected. Automation engineers frequently use this method to validate user selections before performing actions or assertions during test execution.

Modern web applications often rely on selectable UI components for user preferences, form submissions, permissions, and settings management. The is_selected() method helps ensure that Selenium accurately validates an element’s current selection state, thereby improving automation reliability and reducing unexpected test failures.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn what is_selected() is, why it is used, its syntax, practical examples, real-world use cases, common mistakes, and best practices.

What is is_selected()?

The is_selected() method checks whether a selectable web element is currently selected.

If the element is selected, Selenium returns:

True

If the element is not selected, Selenium returns:

False

For example, consider the following HTML:

<input
    type="checkbox">

<input
    type="checkbox"
    checked>

<input
    type="radio"
    checked>

Selenium can verify whether these elements are selected using:

element.is_selected()

The is_selected() method is commonly used for validating:

  • Checkboxes

  • Radio buttons

  • Dropdown options

  • User preferences

  • Form selections

  • Dynamic UI components

Why Use is_selected()?

The is_selected() method is useful because it:

  • Verifies whether selectable elements are selected.

  • Improves automation reliability.

  • Prevents unnecessary user interactions.

  • Supports UI validation.

  • Produces readable automation scripts.

  • Is extensively used in professional automation frameworks.

Syntax

element.is_selected()

Where:

  • element → Previously located WebElement.

  • is_selected() → Returns True or False based on the element’s selection state.

Example

The Selenium practice website contains two checkboxes. Selenium verifies that the first checkbox is not selected and that the second checkbox is selected by default.

The Selenium code is:

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By


# Topic: 18. Element State Verification - is_selected()
# Practice site: https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/checkboxes
# Run: pytest -s 18_examples/test_03_is_selected.py
#
# is_selected() checks whether a checkbox or radio button is currently selected.


def test_is_selected():
    driver = webdriver.Chrome()

    try:
        driver.get(
            "https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/checkboxes"
        )

        checkboxes = driver.find_elements(
            By.CSS_SELECTOR,
            "input[type='checkbox']"
        )

        assert checkboxes[0].is_selected() is False
        assert checkboxes[1].is_selected() is True

    finally:
        driver.quit()

Output

The first checkbox is not
selected, while the second
checkbox is selected
successfully as expected.

Understanding the Code

Import the By Class

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By

Imports Selenium’s locator strategies.

Open the Practice Website

driver.get(
    "https://the-internet.herokuapp.com/checkboxes"
)

Launches the Selenium practice website.

Locate the Checkboxes

driver.find_elements(
    By.CSS_SELECTOR,
    "input[type='checkbox']"
)

Locates both checkboxes displayed on the webpage.

Verify the Selection States

checkboxes[0].is_selected()

checkboxes[1].is_selected()

These statements return:

False

True

which represent the current selection state of the respective checkboxes.

Validate the Result

assert checkboxes[0].is_selected() is False

assert checkboxes[1].is_selected() is True

Verifies that Selenium successfully validates the selection states of both elements.

How is_selected() Works

            Python Script
                   │
                   ▼
            Locate Web Element
                   │
                   ▼
             is_selected()
                   │
                   ▼
         Check Selection State
                   │
                   ▼
              Return Result
                True/False
                   │
                   ▼
             Perform Validation

Practical Example

Suppose you’re automating a Registration page.

The application contains:

  • Accept Terms and Conditions checkbox.

  • Receive Newsletter checkbox.

  • Gender selection radio buttons.

Before submitting the form, Selenium verifies:

checkbox.is_selected()

to ensure that the required options have been selected successfully.

This significantly improves automation reliability during form validation testing.

Automation Testing Example

Consider an online banking application.

Automation engineers frequently validate whether the following elements are selected:

  • Terms and Conditions checkboxes.

  • Account preference selections.

  • Transaction options.

  • Notification preferences.

  • Security settings.

  • User consent forms.

  • Dynamic UI components.

Professional automation frameworks extensively use is_selected() during UI regression testing.

Real-World Example

Automation engineers frequently use is_selected() while automating:

  • Banking applications.

  • E-Commerce websites.

  • Healthcare portals.

  • CRM systems.

  • ERP applications.

  • SaaS products.

  • Enterprise web applications.

  • Registration forms.

  • Dynamic dashboards.

Selection state validation is particularly important because modern web applications frequently update user preferences dynamically using JavaScript.

Advantages of is_selected()

  • Improves automation reliability.

  • Prevents unnecessary interactions.

  • Supports UI validation.

  • Produces maintainable automation scripts.

  • Works across browsers.

  • Extensively used in professional automation frameworks.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Clicking an Already Selected Checkbox

Avoid

checkbox.click()

without checking its current state.

Prefer

if not checkbox.is_selected():
    checkbox.click()

Selection state validation significantly improves automation reliability.

Confusing is_selected() with is_enabled()

Remember that:

element.is_selected()

checks whether an element is:

Selected

whereas:

element.is_enabled()

checks whether an element is:

Enabled

Both methods serve different purposes and are frequently used together.

Ignoring Dynamic Webpages

Modern applications frequently:

  • Select elements dynamically.

  • Update form states asynchronously.

  • Modify user preferences using JavaScript.

Always use appropriate synchronization techniques before validating selection states.

Best Practices

  • Verify whether selectable elements are selected before performing actions.

  • Combine is_selected() with is_displayed() and is_enabled() whenever appropriate.

  • Use synchronization techniques for dynamically updated webpages.

  • Keep assertions simple and readable.

  • Validate form selections before submitting data.

  • Avoid performing unnecessary click operations.

Conclusion

The is_selected() method provides a simple and reliable mechanism for validating whether selectable web elements are currently selected during Selenium automation testing. It plays an important role in improving automation reliability, validating user interactions, and preventing unnecessary operations on already selected elements.

Understanding how and when to use is_selected() correctly is essential for building scalable, reliable, and maintainable Selenium automation frameworks used in professional software testing environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is is_selected() in Selenium?

The is_selected() method checks whether a selectable web element is currently selected.

What is the syntax of is_selected()?

element.is_selected()

What does is_selected() return?

It returns:

True

if the element is selected and:

False

if the element is not selected.

Which elements support is_selected()?

It is commonly used with:

  • Checkboxes

  • Radio buttons

  • Selectable dropdown options

When should I use is_selected()?

Use it when:

  • Validating user selections.

  • Testing forms and preferences.

  • Avoiding unnecessary click operations.

  • Verifying dynamically selected UI components.

Key Takeaways

  • is_selected() verifies whether a selectable web element is currently selected.

  • It returns True for selected elements and False for unselected elements.

  • It is commonly used with checkboxes and radio buttons.

  • Use it before performing click operations whenever appropriate.

  • Combine it with other WebElement validation methods for reliable automation.

  • The is_selected() method is extensively used in professional Selenium automation frameworks.