Navigation Steps
Switch Tab
Switch between browser tabs or create new tabs
Overview
The Switch Tab step allows you to manage browser tabs during test execution. You can switch to existing tabs, create new tabs with custom names, and organize your multi-tab testing workflow.
Form Fields
| Field Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tab Selection | button/input | Yes | Select existing tab or create new tab |
Form Configuration
Tab Management Interface
The form provides an interactive tab management system:
Existing Tabs
- Display of currently available tabs as clickable buttons
- Each tab shows its assigned name/label
- Color-coded tab indicators for visual organization
- Click to select and switch to an existing tab
Create New Tab
- New Tab Name input field for custom tab naming
- Enter descriptive names for easy tab identification
- Automatically creates and switches to the new tab
- Tab names can be edited later by clicking the edit icon
Tab Operations
- Edit Tab Names: Click the edit icon next to any tab name
- Tab Colors: Each tab gets an automatically assigned color for visual distinction
- Tab Navigation: Switch between tabs by clicking their buttons
Examples
Switch to Existing Tab
- Select tab button labeled “Main Page”
Create New Tab for Login
- New Tab Name:
Login Form - Click “Add New Tab” or press Enter
Create Tab for Admin Panel
- New Tab Name:
Admin Dashboard - Click “Add New Tab”
Switch to Previously Created Tab
- Select tab button labeled “User Profile”
Create Tab for API Testing
- New Tab Name:
API Responses - Create and switch to new tab
Best Practices
Tab Naming Strategy
- Use descriptive, meaningful names for easy identification
- Keep names concise but clear (e.g., “Login”, “Dashboard”, “Checkout”)
- Consider the test flow when naming tabs
- Use consistent naming conventions across your test suite
Tab Organization
- Create tabs as needed throughout your test flow
- Switch to appropriate tabs before performing related actions
- Use tab names that reflect the page content or purpose
- Consider tab cleanup for long test scenarios
Multi-Tab Workflows
- Plan tab usage for complex multi-page scenarios
- Switch tabs before performing actions on specific pages
- Use meaningful tab names to maintain context
- Consider the order of tab creation and switching
Common Issues
Tab Management
- Ensure tab names are unique and descriptive
- Remember to switch to the correct tab before performing actions
- Handle cases where tabs may close unexpectedly
Browser Behavior
- Some browsers may limit the number of tabs
- Tab creation may be blocked by popup blockers in some environments
- Consider browser-specific tab handling differences
Test Organization
- Keep track of which content is in which tab
- Plan tab switching as part of your test flow
- Consider performance impact of multiple open tabs
Use Cases
Multi-Page User Flows
- Login in one tab, application in another
- Compare content across different pages
- Test functionality that opens new tabs/windows
Cross-Reference Testing
- Compare data between different sections
- Verify consistency across multiple pages
- Test inter-page communication or state
Parallel Workflows
- Set up different user scenarios in separate tabs
- Test multiple user roles simultaneously
- Organize complex test scenarios by tab
External Resource Testing
- Open external links in new tabs
- Test integrations with third-party services
- Verify links and external navigation
Tab Lifecycle
Creating Tabs
- New tabs start with a blank page
- Use Navigate step after creating a tab to load content
- Tab names can be edited after creation
Switching Tabs
- Click the tab button to switch context
- All subsequent steps execute in the selected tab
- Browser focus moves to the selected tab
Tab Persistence
- Tabs remain available throughout the test session
- Content and state are preserved when switching between tabs
- Tabs are automatically managed by the test runner