Manage Web Controls on Java Menu Item

[asa32sd23]

I am working on a website to click through and get to a details page to start extraction. The page shows a link that I want to click on, this link then opens a small java window. If i right click the initial link the path is
javascript:void(0)

The web controls do not capture this link. when I click on it nothing happens, nothings captured.

what is the best way of dealing with this java menu items that appear as html links?

I tried image capture and that doesnt work either, doesnt recognize it i guess, i tried at least 20 different captures.

Using IE 8 and lastest V of AA

[trentonponder]

Originally Posted by asa32sd23

I am working on a website to click through and get to a details page to start extraction. The page shows a link that I want to click on, this link then opens a small java window. If i right click the initial link the path is
javascript:void(0)

The web controls do not capture this link. when I click on it nothing happens, nothings captured.

what is the best way of dealing with this java menu items that appear as html links?

I tried image capture and that doesnt work either, doesnt recognize it i guess, i tried at least 20 different captures.

Using IE 8 and lastest V of AA

Try emulating the keystrokes necessary to click on the link. So, without AA open the page then use the keyboard to navigate to the control. Typically pressing TAB multiple times will get you there. Count how many times you need to TAB and then `insert keystrokes` in AA that many times. Once you`re on the link, keystroke `enter.`

[forumstaff]

Good Day,

As suggested by trentonponder, if you are not able to capture a link through the web controls or the image recognition commands then the keystrokes will be the ideal way to capture and click on the link.

An alternate workaround to minimize the use of 'Tab' keystroke will be to insert a 'CTRL F' keystroke and find the link on the webpage.

Hope this helps.

[asa32sd23]

lol, that's what $3000 get you these days...

ok, first, when I do a search using Ctrl F and the keyword, it will highlight it, but when I hit "enter", nothing happens (its java menu item, could that be?). Is there a keyboard combo in order to send "enter" to this highlighted text? My concern is its only highlighted because it matches a search, not because its selected, so would that method even work....

if not, then whats the proper way to send 99 TAB keystrokes? I hope its not entering [TAB] 99 times. is there a parameter or use of variable ???


i get hit or miss using the image recog, using manage web controls won't recognize it. it seems these functions work on basic dated HTML and not on modern web design elements...

[trentonponder]

Originally Posted by asa32sd23

lol, that's what $3000 get you these days...

ok, first, when I do a search using Ctrl F and the keyword, it will highlight it, but when I hit "enter", nothing happens (its java menu item, could that be?). Is there a keyboard combo in order to send "enter" to this highlighted text? My concern is its only highlighted because it matches a search, not because its selected, so would that method even work....

if not, then whats the proper way to send 99 TAB keystrokes? I hope its not entering [TAB] 99 times. is there a parameter or use of variable ???


i get hit or miss using the image recog, using manage web controls won't recognize it. it seems these functions work on basic dated HTML and not on modern web design elements...

99 keystrokes? Sounds excessive. Use:
Start loop 99 times
TAB keystroke
End Loop

Is this a site you would mind sharing publicly? We can try to take a collective crack at it.

[asa32sd23]

thanks it a Fidelity.com website, I am using the password protection version which allows me to create my personal screen, that's the content I am after
but the free version allows you to access standard screens, it's the same process....

1. Fidelity Investments
2. Click Blue Button, "START SCREEN"
3. Select "Quick Screen"
4. From drop down Menu... Select "Growth at Reasonable Rate"
4. Once it loads.... Click "Download"
5. From pop up menu... Select "Performance & Volatility"
6. From same pop up menu... Select "OK"

I am having issues with all these java buttons, I have tried each type (image rec, web controls, record) sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Its very inconsistent. I am using IE 8 on a Win 7 system.

I have attached the script, its very faulty, thanks for the help

[forumstaff]

Good Day,

Thanks for providing the steps to record the actions required to download the file from the webpage.

As the url for the webpage happens to be static irrespective of any link you click, we would like to suggest the 'Record' option to record the actions. You can find the 'Record' button on the main window of Automation Anywhere, below the menu bar and on the right hand side of the 'New' button.

Once you hit the 'Record' button the recorder will start and then you can record all the actions by clicking on the respective links on the webpage.

After you stop the recorder and save the task, you can edit the task and replace the delays to standard values. The reason you need to have standard delays is because the webpage deals with large volume of data which takes certain amount of time to load.

For your reference, we have attached a sample task which will give you an idea about how the actions have been recorded and also how the delays have been inserted in order to ensure successful completion of the task.

Download and Save the task under 'My Tasks' folder. To locate the path of the 'My Tasks' folder, right click on any of your existing tasks and select the 'Locate on Disk' option.

Hope this helps. Kindly advise how it works out for you.

Regards.

[asa32sd23]

Thank you for the AA Script. I had to re-record because your recording did not function properly, most of the command was "relative to screen" which obviously will be very different for everyone. (this is my assumption). I am testing recording and will share later.

I work for a hedge fund and I capture alot of data from web to aggregate. its currently a copy/paste exercise (hours! and RSI!) trying to convince managers to invest in automation SW. Hence my "interrogation" thanks for your help....


I did have some questions that came to mind as i edit and work with these functions...
1. I have IE as my default browser, but "launch website" keeps opening in Chrome. Can i insert a parameter to use a specific browser?

2. The AA task viewer keeps popping up in front of the browser when I run my recording, can I have the task runner minimized while my recording proceed?

3. I see there is a web record and a record... Does functionality or quality of recording, capturing controls, etc work better with one over the other? Does each work better with respect to a certain task I am trying to accomplish?

4. Can I start a recording with a "relative to window" instead of changing this option to each and every mouse insert command in my script? I think the default is "relative to screen"

[forumstaff]

Good Day,

Yes you can use a parameter to open a webpage in a specific browser. The 'Open Program/File' command allows you to mention the path of the browser in step 1 and the url of the webpage as a parameter in Step 3. You can also use the 'Open Browser' option available under the Web Recorder command.

To hide the 'Run Time Window', you can go to the 'Tools' menu on the main window of Automation Anywhere, then click on 'Options' and select the 'View' option and uncheck the 'Show Run Time Window' box.

Web Recorder helps you to record any actions which are performed on websites or webpages whereas, the Record option comes handy when you are trying to record actions on a Windows Application or an in-house application. Web Recorder does record and capture the data in a smart way, given the fact that the it understands all web controls. When you perform any action in a browser, for example click a link or a button or a check box, Automation Anywhere knows the exact web control. If websites change & links or buttons move, Automation Anywhere will still accurately replay the task. Enhanced Web Recorder with pattern based data extraction, allows you to extract web data with the same pattern spanning across multiple pages with ease.

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you need any further assistance.

Regards.

[asa32sd23]

excellent thanks for the reply

as far as this question is concered, is this possible?

Can I start a recording with a "relative to window" instead of changing this option to each and every mouse insert command in my script? I think the default is "relative to screen"

thanks