Setting value on an element using the JSON object returned by findElement

[qwertynik]

Have been able to set the value for an input field using this snippet:

let emailElementLocator = by.css('#formBasicEmail');

let sentKeys = await client.sendKeys(emailElementLocator, 'nikhil@test.com');

Can the value for the input field be set using the element variable, which is a WebElement JSON object?

let emailElementLocator = by.css('#formBasicEmail');

let element = await client.findElement(emailElementLocator);

console.log(element);

The reason for doing this is to reuse the element later, if possible, and reduce the total DOM queries done.

Using the element object is also a common pattern of working with DOM elements in selenium. For instance, notice the usage here

 var searchForm = driver.findElement(By.tagName('form'));
 var searchBox = searchForm.findElement(By.name('q'));
 searchBox.sendKeys('webdriver');

Looking forward to your responses.

[gravityvi]

You can use global element APIs in Nightwatch to achieve this.

Example:

const searchBox = element('<selector>');
searchBox.sendKeys('webdriver')

Read more about element APIs: here

[qwertynik]

Thanks, @gravityvi for the example and for pointing to the documentation.
Had come across the element function earlier, however, one of the test platforms we use only supports Nightwatch JS v1.7.x - which is why a way to use the return value from findElement as an element is being looked at.

Any ideas on how the same can be accomplished?