getByText

Learn to find elements with getByText.

What is getByText?

getByText is a query that finds an element in the rendered tree whose text equals the given value. Calling getByText('Hello') returns the Text component containing 'Hello'. If several match, it throws.

This query is ideal for writing tests based on what the user sees. It focuses on visible text, not on the app's internals. If text changes the test must update; for text that changes often, testID may be preferred. Still, for behavior focused tests getByText is the most natural choice; it is readable and meaningful.

The found element

getByText returns an element; you run expect on it. For example expect(getByText('Hello')).toBeTruthy() says the element exists. expect(getByText('Hello')).toBeDefined() is a similar check.

Sometimes you want to test whether text changed. First find the element with getByText('Old'), do an interaction, then check with getByText('New') that it changed. If not found getByText throws; the test turns red. This exception can be used to test absence: expect(() => getByText('Deleted')).toThrow() confirms the element is gone.

Exercise Find an element with getByText

An App component is already defined; it returns <Text>Welcome</Text>. Call render(<App />); find the 'Welcome' text with getByText. Assert with expect(...).toBeTruthy().

Show example solution

import { render } from "@testing-library/react-native";
import { Text } from "react-native";

function App() {
  return <Text>Welcome</Text>;
}

test("welcome exists", () => {
  const { getByText } = render(<App />);
  expect(getByText("Welcome")).toBeTruthy();
});

Test yourself

Match each query to its behavior

getByText

Returns if text found
getByTestId

Finds by testID
getAllByText

Returns all matches
queryByText

Returns null if missing

The getByText call

const el = ____('Merhaba');

Show answer

const el = getByText('Merhaba');

What does getByText do when text is missing?
```
const el = getByText('yok');
```
- Throws an error
- Returns undefined
- Returns null
- Returns an empty array
Show answer

Throws an error — getByText throws when it cannot find text.

Next lesson: fireEvent

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