About the Select Item action with combo box in AA Spy Mode.

[SeungjeiJang]

I hope you’re doing well.

I’d like to ask a question about the “Select Item” action of Combo-box type element that spied with Active Accessibility Spy Mode.

Due to no extension for the browser to use, I created the Application Modeller as Windows Application, and tried AA Spy Mode. (UIA Mode didn’t work well, too slow, approx. 80 secs to identify an element)

• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• BP: Blueprism version 7.0.1 & 6.3.2 both results are the same

The issue is the Select Item Action of the Combo-box type element.

When I tried to select an item in the Combo-box, I got an error message says, “Failed to identify the combo box’s dropdown button”.

I tried both input options for one at once separately, Item Text and Item Position.

"Internal : Failed to perform step 1 in Navigate Stage 'Navigate1' on page 'Test' - Failed to identify the combo box's dropdown button"

Also, I tried Reader Stage as well, and got this error message.

"Internal : Failed to perform step 1 in Read Stage 'Reader1' on page 'Test' - Could not find internal list for combo box"

At this point, what kind of alternative method to select an item in combo box with AA Spy Mode?

 
Thanks.

[Denis__Dennehy · Accepted solution]

Combo boxes can be difficult and sometimes need a bit of experimentation to figure out (I once spent 3 days figuring out how to interface with a drop down - so I feel the pain!!)

As well as Select Item try set text actions - sometimes they work although they may also need some kind of tab of or return key also.

If that does not work you could try to use invoke javascript actions,  although I understand that may be discontinued soon because of changes to Chrome.
If that does not work you are into Surface Automation,  there used to be an entire section about drop downs in the guide (which I now cannot find,  maybe reach out to the BP University to ask where they have put it).  Basically you need to experiment with keystrokes, down buttons, etc....  

[Denis__Dennehy]

Forgot to add,  my understanding is that combo boxes can be difficult because how they were built by the developer.  Not all combo boxes are actually combo boxes - one example is a developer might use separate button, edit box, list box, etc together that behave like a combo box - but it is not a combo box control and combo box interfaces will not work on it.

[SeungjeiJang]

@Denis__Dennehy

Thank you for your kind comments.
I agree with your opinion. It helps to confirm what I thought.

Thanks!