How to use Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript
Tags: selenium, javascript, beginners, testing
Published: 2023-05-17 12:50:42

Selenium is widely recognized as one of the top-performing [web automation tools](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/web-automation-tools?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=learning_hub). However, its potential extends beyond testing, with numerous use cases leveraging its capabilities. One such application involves automating the process of completing a form within a browser.

In this [Selenium JavaScript tutorial](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/selenium-javascript?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=learning_hub), we will cover how to use Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript when filling out a form. We will discuss the best pattern and approach to achieve the solution and explore how we solved this problem in our application.

So, let’s get started.

***In this tutorial, learn what is Regression testing, its importance, types, and how to perform it: [https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/regression-testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/regression-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=learning_hub)***

## What is Selenium?

[Selenium](https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage) is a popular open-source test automation framework used for [automated browser testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/automated-browser-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage). This framework helps you [write Selenium test scripts](https://www.lambdatest.com/blog/how-to-write-test-scripts-in-selenium/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=blog) that can be used to automate the testing of websites and web applications, then execute them in different browsers on multiple platforms using any programming language of your choice.

## Date Picker in Selenium

If your website requires users to fill out their date of birth or any date-related fields and your web page is using any of these date picker components available.

You might want to test out the approach it will take your users to fill out the form or possibly [automate the process of filling web ](https://www.lambdatest.com/blog/how-to-automate-filling-in-web-forms-with-python-using-selenium/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=blog)forms that require a Date Picker in any website using Selenium with JavaScript.

How do you achieve this using the Selenium automation tool? I had this problem testing out my web page, and I will share with you how to [automate testing with Selenium JavaScript.](https://www.lambdatest.com/blog/automation-testing-with-selenium-javascript/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=blog)

First, let’s build a web page that contains a Date Picker.

## Creating the Webpage with Date Picker

To learn how to automate Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript, we’ll use jQuery’s Date Picker demo URL as the test URL to demonstrate the same.

In this [Selenium JavaScript testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium-javascript-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage) tutorial, I’ll be using JavaScript to automate the Date Picker using [Selenium WebDriver](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/webdriver?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=learning_hub)

Below is a sample of the form we have created for this demo:

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2000/0*X5Dw7FS7ltjoWz9-.png)

Next, we are going to set up Selenium and automate the process of filling out this form. The process is seamless and very simple to get started.

## Setting up Selenium with JavaScript

Installing Selenium in your JavaScript project requires some installations on your local machine. Here are some prerequisites you need to have:

* Download and install NodeJS from official NodeJS documentation. You should have NodeJS v6 or newer.

* Make sure you are using the latest version of JavaScript.

* Install npm from th*e official [npm website](https://www.npmjs.com/).*

* Download Selenium JavaScript bindings from the official website. The latest versions of Selenium Client and WebDriver are ideal for running your [JavaScript automation testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium-javascript-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage) script.

## Set up Selenium with Express

If you have successfully installed and set up the following prerequisites, you’re ready to move to the next step. Next, create a project folder for your Selenium Date Picker project. We will call it “*selenium-date-picker*”

**Step 1:** Install the required dependencies.

Below are the required dependencies to install:

    npm install express selenium-webdriver

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2000/0*ypOc2EOACcwtZlSU.png)

**Step 2: **Create an “index.js” file that will add the configuration for Selenium for using the Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript.

Here’s the code snippet for setting up Selenium in the Express framework:

    const express = require("express");
    const { By, Builder, Select } = require("selenium-webdriver");
    const app = express();
    const port = 3002;
    let driver;
    const URL = "https://jqueryui.com/datepicker/#date-range";
    const expected_fr_date = "20";
    const expected_to_date = "26";
    app.get("/", async (request, response) => {
     try {
       const data = await DatePickerWithLambdaTest();
       response.status(200).json(data);
     } catch (error) {
       console.log(error);
       response.status(500).json({
         message: "Server error occurred",
       });
     }
    });
    app.listen(port, () => {
     console.log(`Example app listening at http://localhost:${port}`);
    });

The above code snippet shows a simple web server created with Express.js to request from a Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript.

**Code Walkthrough:**

Let’s walk through the code together and understand the nitty-gritty of it.

**Step 1: **Add the required packages and set up the Express server.
First, we need the *express *and *selenium-webdriver* packages. Next, we create an Express server and initialize variables which will be used below.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2560/0*FyD3Nro-uGOt0Isq.png)

**Step 2:** Create Express Route.

Next, we create an endpoint to fill out the Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript and display the result as JSON data. This endpoint will call the *DatePickerWithLambdaTest()* function to fill out the date picker and return the data.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2072/0*aqddNpW6ByCfXHQZ.png)

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## How to use Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript?

After setting up the Express server, we will create the two functions to fill out the Date Picker and return the data.

Here’s the code snippet:

    async function DatePickerWithLocal() {
     try {
       const driver = await new Builder().forBrowser("chrome").build();
       return selectDatePicker(driver);
     } catch (error) {
       throw error;
     } finally {
       await driver.quit();
     }
    }
    async function DatePickerWithLambdaTest() {
     const USERNAME = ""; //replace with your username
     const KEY = ""; //replace with your accesskey
     const GRID_HOST = "hub.lambdatest.com/wd/hub";
     const capabilities = {
       browserName: "Chrome",
       browserVersion: "107.0",
       "LT:Options": {
         username: USERNAME,
         accessKey: KEY,
         geoLocation: "US",
         platformName: "Windows 10",
         build: "Date Picker",
         project: "Date Picker Example",
         w3c: true,
         plugin: "node_js-node_js",
       },
     };
    
    
     const gridUrl = "https://" + USERNAME + ":" + KEY + "@" + GRID_HOST;
     try {
       driver = await new Builder()
         .usingServer(gridUrl)
         .withCapabilities(capabilities)
         .build();
    
    
       return await selectDatePicker(driver);
     } catch (error) {
       throw error;
     } finally {
       await driver.quit();
     }
    }
    
    
    async function selectDatePicker(driver) {
     try {
       if (!driver) return;
       await driver.get(URL);
       /**
        * Switching Frames with iframe
        */
       const frame = await driver.findElement(
         By.xpath("//*[@id='content']/iframe")
       );
       await driver.switchTo().frame(frame);
    
    
       /**
        * ################################# Steps for the From Date ####################
        */
       const from_date = await driver.findElement(By.xpath('//*[@id="from"]'));
       await from_date.click();
    
    
       const from_month = await driver.findElement(
         By.className("ui-datepicker-month")
       );
       const selected_from_month = new Select(from_month);
       await selected_from_month.selectByVisibleText("Jan");
       const from_day = await driver.findElement(
         By.xpath(
           "//td[not(contains(@class,'ui-datepicker-month'))]/a[text()='" +
             expected_fr_date +
             "']"
         )
       );
       await from_day.click();
    
    
       /**
        * ################################# Steps for the To Date #####################
        * The same steps like the ones in From Month are repeated except that now the operations are performed on a different web element.
        *   
        */
       const to_date = await driver.findElement(By.xpath("//input[@id='to']"));
       await to_date.click();
    
    
       const to_month = await driver.findElement(
         By.xpath("//div/select[@class='ui-datepicker-month']")
       );
       const selected_to_month = new Select(to_month);
       await selected_to_month.selectByVisibleText("Feb");
       const to_day = await driver.findElement(
         By.xpath(
           "//td[not(contains(@class,'ui-datepicker-month'))]/a[text()='" +
             expected_to_date +
             "']"
         )
       );
       await to_day.click();
    
    
       /**
        * Get Date values
        */
       const selected_from_date_str = await from_date.getAttribute("value");
       const selected_to_date_str = await to_date.getAttribute("value");
       return {
         from: selected_from_date_str,
         to: selected_to_date_str,
       };
     } catch (error) {
       throw error;
     }
    }

The code snippet above is the complete section of the index.js that contains the Express server and the routing configuration.

**Code Walkthrough:**

Let’s walk through the code together and understand the nitty-gritty of using Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript.

**Step 1:** Selenium with local setup.

The code snippet in the *DatePickerWithLocal* shows how to use locally installed Selenium to perform the Date Picker operation. This method runs on your local machine and requires installing the Selenium driver and setting up the correct browser configuration.
We configured and selected a specific browser we wanted to perform the task with and passed the new driver instance to the ‘*selectDatePicker*‘ function to operate.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2592/0*RXv9p07uRYE4pIlv.png)

You can learn more about configuring and installing Selenium and its browser driver locally by [performing web scraping with Selenium JavaScript](https://www.lambdatest.com/blog/web-scraping-with-javascript-and-selenium/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=blog).

**Step 2:** Selenium with LambdaTest Grid

The code snippet in the *DatePickerWithLamdaTest* shows how to use LamdaTest Grid to perform the Date Picker operation with Selenium on the cloud.

JavaScript automation on a cloud-based testing digital experience testing platform like LambdaTest helps you achieve improved browser coverage while performing [automation testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/automation-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage) on over 3000+ browsers and OS combinations.

By running Selenium JavaScript tests in parallel using LambdaTest cloud-based infrastructure, you can speed up your release cycle significantly, with the potential to increase the overall test execution pace by up to 10 times.

{% youtube fKO5OkPn-D8 %}

Please subscribe to the [LambdaTest YouTube Channel ](https://www.youtube.com/c/LambdaTest?sub_confirmation=1?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=video)and stay updated with the latest tutorials on [Selenium testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium-automation?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage), [Cypress testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/cypress-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage), CI/CD, and more.

No installations are required, only a few configurations, as shown below:

Before running the operation, please set the following environment variables in your .env file. You can find the username and access key on your [LambdaTest Profile](https://accounts.lambdatest.com/detail/profile?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage) page.

    bash
    LT_USERNAME=
    LT_ACCESS_KEY=
    GRID_HOST=hub.lambdatest.com/wd/hub

Next, generate your Selenium configuration using the [Lambdatest Capabilities Generator](https://www.lambdatest.com/capabilities-generator/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=webpage). Set your configuration and copy the JavaScript object to your code, as shown below.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2648/0*hOmOdaleCIAFNIz4.png)

Next, we created a driver using the configuration and capacity before passing the driver to the ‘*selectDatePicker*‘ function.

**Step 2**: Performing the Operation.

Lastly, we call the *selectDatePicker* function to operate. Below is a breakdown of the function.

First, we check the driver instance to make sure it’s created. Next, we open the webpage where the date picker is located using the ‘*driver.get(URL)*’ function. Lastly, we find the first iframe on the page and switch to it using the ‘*driver.switchTo().frame()’* function.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2000/0*pJtLAoIBH2cw3zr6.png)

Furthermore, still inside the function, we started the first operation for the From date by interacting with the input element using Selenium functions as shown below:

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/3196/0*helFsIPlIseYus0_.png)

The *expected_fr_str* comes from the constants we declared above to specify the specific date we want to select from the calendar.

Next, we repeat the same thing for the *to-date* instance as shown below:

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/3200/0*V_UWvr6vpRLmbzLy.png)

The expected_to_str comes from the constants we declared above to specify the specific date we want to select from the calendar.

Lastly, we retrieve the chosen date from the input field and return it as an object.

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2736/0*L89We6BR-rBtOTk5.png)

If you configure everything correctly, you should see a JSON response from your server when you run it on your browser.

## Running the Date Picker

To run your test for Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript, type the following command into your root terminal.

    bash
    npm start

Open your browser and locate the web address. After successfully performing running the Date Picker, you should be greeted with a JSON response from your server, like the screenshot below:

![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/2000/0*abSvhudAJJWjQKex.png)

So far, we have successfully used a Date Picker with Selenium using JavaScript. You can clone the entire code repository from this GitHub Repository.

If you are a developer or a tester, this [Selenium JavaScript 101](https://www.lambdatest.com/certifications/selenium-javascript-101?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=may_17&utm_term=bh&utm_content=certification) certification can help equip you with advanced skills and extensive knowledge in automation testing, enabling you to excel in any JavaScript automation role.

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## Summary

Selenium is one of the most popular browser automation tools. Therefore achieving simple tasks such as automating the process of filling out a Date Picker can be daunting.

This article covers in detail how to use Date Picker in Selenium using JavaScript when filling out a form. We discussed the best pattern and approach to achieve the solution and finally explored how we solved this problem in our application.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. How to automate Date Picker in JavaScript?

Automating a date picker in JavaScript can be achieved using the following steps:

 1. Locate the date picker element on the web page using the DOM.

 2. Use the .click() method to trigger the date picker to open.

 3. Use JavaScript to set the desired date in the date picker element. Depending on the date picker plugin used, you can directly set the date value using the value attribute or similar property. Alternatively, you may need to simulate user actions such as clicking the previous/next month buttons, selecting a date from a calendar, etc.

### 2. How to set Date Picker in Selenium?

To set a date picker in Selenium, you can follow the following steps:

 1. Locate the date picker element on the web page using any of the Selenium locators like id, name, class, xpath, etc.

 2. Use the .click() method to open the date picker widget.

 3. Depending on the date picker widget used, you can either directly set the date value using the sendKeys() method, or you may need to simulate user actions like clicking on the previous/next month buttons, selecting a date from a calendar, etc.