Blog #8: From Static to Dynamic: How Playwright Handles Every Dropdown Scenario
Published on March 26, 2025
When I first started testing dropdowns with Playwright, I felt overwhelmed by all the options. Let me break down what I learned in simple terms - perfect if you're just starting out!
1. The Basic Dropdown (HTML Select)
These are traditional dropdowns made with `` and `` tags. Here's how to work with them:Selecting OptionsPlaywright's `.selectOption()` is your best friend here. It works in 4 ways: Verifying DropdownsHere's how I check if dropdowns work correctly:Checking Option CountChecking Option Presence*Ah-ha Moment*: I learned that `$$eval` runs in the browser context, making it great for bulk data!2. Multi-Select DropdownsYou can use selectOption() with an array of values to mimic user(multi) selections in a dropdown. Here's what worked for me:*Common Mistake*: I forgot that values are often lowercase in HTML, while displayed text is proper case!3. Tricky Auto-Suggest DropdownsThese were challenging! Here's how I handled search-as-you-type dropdowns:*Key Learning*: Always wait for suggestions to appear before trying to interact!Final ThoughtsAfter much trial and error, I now feel confident handling any dropdown. Remember: - Start with simple select dropdowns - Master assertions before moving to complex scenarios - Practice with real websites (I used testautomationpractice.blogspot.com) What dropdown challenges are you facing? Let's learn together! 💡