Solving the Element Not Interactable Error in Python Selenium for Sudoku Automation

Learn how to tackle the common `element not interactable` error in Python Selenium when automating Sudoku puzzles. Follow our organized steps for a successful solution!
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Solving the Element Not Interactable Error in Python Selenium for Sudoku Automation

If you are diving into the world of web automation with Python and Selenium, you may encounter a frustrating error: element not interactable. This error often arises when you're trying to perform actions like sending keys to an element that isn’t currently displayed or interactable. Recently, a user faced this issue while attempting to automate a Sudoku puzzle. In this post, we'll discuss the root of the problem and present a step-by-step solution to effectively tackle it.

Understanding the Problem

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Why the Error Occurs

The element not interactable error often results from two primary reasons:

The element may not yet be visible or clickable due to ongoing page processes, such as pop-ups or loading screens.

The element you are trying to interact with might be in a state that does not allow it to receive inputs at the moment, such as being covered by another element.

The Solution

To resolve the element not interactable issue when automating with Selenium, follow these organized steps:

Step 1: Close the Cookie Pop-up

One common reason for elements being unresponsive is the presence of modal windows, such as cookie consent pop-ups. First, you need to ensure that such pop-ups are closed:

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Step 2: Identify Empty Cells

The next step is to locate the empty cells in the Sudoku grid effectively. You can differentiate between filled and empty cells by checking the class attribute of the svg tag within the cell. Here's an example of the DOM structure for both cases:

Filled Cell:

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Empty Cell:

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Step 3: Fill the Empty Cells

Now that you can recognize empty cells, use Selenium to target them and input the desired number. Here's how you can achieve this:

Import the necessary modules:

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Set up the driver and close the cookie pop-up. Then, find the empty cells using XPath:

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Locate the empty cells:

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Finally, click on the first empty cell and input a number:

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This structure ensures that you avoid the element not interactable error by interacting with elements only when they are confirmed as clickable.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively handle the element not interactable error while automating Sudoku puzzles using Python and Selenium. Remember to manage any pop-ups and properly identify the state of your desired elements before attempting interactions. Happy automating!