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Learn how to effectively download PDF files using Selenium with Python and Chrome, even when the PDF viewer interferes. Our guide walks you through the solution with clear steps and examples.
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How to Resolve the Selenium (Python, Chrome) Issue of Not Downloading PDF Files

Are you having a tough time downloading PDF files using Selenium with Python in Chrome because the PDF viewer renders the files in a new tab? You're not alone, as many users encounter this problem when the URL does not directly link to the PDF file but instead requires user interaction to download. In this guide, we'll explore a solution that can help you overcome this issue.

Understanding the Problem

When trying to download PDF files using Selenium, users often face a scenario where:

Navigate to a Page: You begin by navigating to a web page that contains a download button for a PDF file.

Locate and Click the Download Button: After finding the button, you click it, and instead of the PDF being directly downloaded, a new tab opens displaying the PDF in the Chrome PDF viewer.

No Direct URL: It's important to note that each time, the URL for the PDF remains the same and does not directly correspond to a downloadable file. This makes using simple methods like requests ineffective, as those methods rely on obtaining a direct URL to the PDF.

Download Manually: Users can click the download button within the PDF viewer to download the file, but this functionality is not automated through Selenium.

So, how can you adjust your Selenium setup to download the PDF file programmatically instead of having it displayed in a new tab?

The Solution

To effectively download the PDF without manually clicking buttons, we can leverage the cookies that are already stored during your Selenium session. Here’s a breakdown of the approach:

Step 1: Get Cookies from the Selenium Session

First, you need to retrieve the cookies from the browser session initiated by Selenium. These cookies are essential because they contain the information that the server uses to identify your session.

Step 2: Use the requests Library

Once you've obtained the cookies, you can use the requests library to make a call to the URL, which will return the PDF content in bytes.

Step 3: Save the PDF File Locally

Finally, you need to write the content to a file on your local machine. Below is a simple implementation of these steps:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Important Notes

Ensure URLs are Accurate: Make sure you replace "http://example.com/path_to_pdf" with the actual URL where the PDF can be accessed, depending on how it is generated or displayed on the site.

Handle Exceptions: It’s essential to handle any exceptions that may arise when making requests or saving files to avoid crashes during execution.

By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully download PDF files rendered through the Chrome PDF viewer without the need for user interaction.

Conclusion

Downloading PDF files with Selenium when they are displayed in a viewer can be a challenge, but using session cookies along with Python's requests library provides a seamless solution. This method allows automated downloads without requiring the user to manually interact with the PDF viewer interface, making your automation scripts more efficient and reliable.

Give this approach a try and streamline your workflow today!