How to Export Code from Selenium IDE

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Exporting code from Selenium IDE turns a recorded browser test into a script you can inspect, edit, and run from a programming-language test framework. You’ll need a saved Selenium IDE project and a supported language or test-runner option; the available choices depend on your Selenium IDE version and installed plugins.

What You’ll Need

Selenium IDE installed in a supported browser, or the desktop application.
A project containing at least one recorded or written test. Save the project before exporting.
A destination folder where you can save the exported file.
If you plan to run the code, the corresponding language runtime and test framework. Exporting creates code; it does not install those dependencies.

Step-by-Step

Open the correct project. Launch Selenium IDE and open your saved project, or use the project currently open. Confirm the project name and check that the test you want is listed. If you have several tests, identify whether you intend to export one test or the project’s tests.
Save your latest changes. Use the project’s save control or the save command in the application before exporting. This prevents the exported script from missing recent edits. If the project has not been saved before, choose a location and name for the project file.
Choose a test to export. Select the test in the test list if you want code for just that test. If you need the entire project, look for a project-level export option instead. Selenium IDE’s menus and export scope can differ by release, so check the selection and the wording in the dialog before continuing.
Open the export command. Look for the export action in the test’s options menu or in the project menu. In versions that provide a test-level menu, it is commonly shown as a three-dot or more-options control beside the test. Choose the command labeled “Export” or similar; do not choose a command that only saves the Selenium IDE project.
Select a language or framework. In the export dialog, choose one of the formats offered, such as a supported programming language and test-runner combination. The exact list varies. Pick a format that suits the environment where the test will run, rather than assuming every language is available in every installation.
Review the export options. If the dialog offers options such as a test-runner format or file name, select the ones appropriate for your project. Confirm whether you are exporting the selected test or the full project. If your desired format is absent, check for a compatible Selenium IDE plugin or use another format that the installed version supports.
Export and choose a destination. Confirm the export, then use the file picker to select a folder and save the generated script. Keep it in a project folder where you can find it alongside related test files. If a download starts automatically, check your browser’s downloads list or default Downloads folder.
Inspect the generated file. Open it in a code editor and check that the test steps, names, and expected assertions are present. Review any imports or setup code and note dependencies that the exporter does not include. Treat the output as a starting point: recorded tests may need cleanup to work reliably in your environment.
Run the script in its intended environment. Install or configure the selected language runtime and test framework as required by their documentation. Run the test using the project’s normal test command, then address missing dependencies, browser-driver setup, or timing issues. A successful export alone does not confirm that the script can run.

Common Mistakes

Saving the project instead of exporting code: A Selenium IDE project file is meant to reopen in the IDE; it is not necessarily a standalone program. Use the export command and select a code format.
Exporting the wrong scope: A test-level export may include only the selected test. Check whether the command is attached to a test or to the whole project.
Expecting every language to appear: Export formats depend on the IDE release and any installed plugins. An unavailable format is not necessarily a sign that the project is damaged.
Assuming the exported script is ready to run: Code generation does not automatically install packages, configure a browser driver, or adapt the test to your machine.
Ignoring fragile recorded steps: Tests that rely on changing page layout, temporary text, or fixed delays may fail after export just as they can in the IDE.

Tips

Keep the original Selenium IDE project as well as the exported code. The project is useful if you want to edit and export the test again.
Give exported files clear names that identify the test and format. Avoid overwriting a working script until you have reviewed the new export.
Export a small test first when learning the process. It is easier to verify that the chosen format and local setup work before exporting a larger suite.
Read the generated setup and import statements. They often indicate which packages or test runner the script expects.
After editing the exported code, keep track of which version is authoritative. Changes made in code may not appear in the Selenium IDE project automatically.

Troubleshooting

No export option appears: Make sure a project is open and, for a test-level export, that a test is selected. Check the project and test menus for an export action. If it is still missing, confirm that Selenium IDE is up to date through its normal installation channel and consult documentation for that release. Some formats may require a plugin.

The expected language is missing: Review the formats available in the export dialog and check whether the relevant plugin is supported by your IDE version. If it cannot be added, export in an available format and port the test manually, or use a compatible Selenium IDE release. Do not rename a file extension and assume that changes its programming language.

The file did not appear where expected: Check the browser’s download indicator and Downloads folder. A browser may ask you to approve a download or choose a location. For the desktop application, check the folder selected in its save dialog and confirm that the save completed.

The script has missing modules or will not start: Read the first error message, identify the language and test runner selected during export, and install or configure their required dependencies. Verify that the command you use matches the exported format. Selenium IDE does not necessarily bundle those dependencies with the script.

The script runs but cannot find a page element: Open the page and check whether the locator in the exported code still matches the current page. Update outdated locators and replace unnecessarily fixed waits with appropriate explicit waits for the condition the test needs. Then run the test again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exporting code delete my Selenium IDE project?
No. Exporting normally creates a separate code file. Keep saving the project if you want to retain the editable IDE version.

Can I export an entire Selenium IDE project?
That depends on the IDE version and the export command. A test-level export may cover only one selected test, so check for a project-level option and verify the output.

Which programming languages can Selenium IDE export?
The available languages and test-runner formats vary by release and installed plugins. Use the options shown in your export dialog as the reliable guide for your installation.

Is the exported code ready to run immediately?
Not always. You may need to install the language runtime, test framework, Selenium dependencies, and browser setup, then adjust generated code for your environment.

Can I change the exported code and continue editing it in Selenium IDE?
Code edits do not generally update the original IDE project automatically. Keep both versions and make changes in the one you intend to maintain.

Why does my exported test fail even though it worked in the IDE?
The code may need dependencies or browser configuration, or the page may have changed. Check the error, locators, waits, and test-runner setup, then rerun it.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.