If you automate websites, APIs, or online services with Macro Scheduler, you\u2019ll quickly run into two recurring challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two technologies solve these problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve published two practical primer articles that go deep into both topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
👉 An XPath Primer for Web Automation (with Macro Scheduler examples)<\/strong> 👉 A JSONPath Primer (with Macro Scheduler examples)<\/strong> Below is a high-level overview of each, with real Macro Scheduler examples to show why these skills are so valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/help.mjtnet.com\/article\/554-an-xpath-primer-for-web-automation-with-macro-scheduler-examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When automating Chrome using Macro Scheduler\u2019s Chrome functions, element IDs and class names are often unreliable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n XPath lets you locate elements by describing their position and relationship<\/strong> within the page structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Macro Scheduler, XPath is used with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This finds an When values are dynamic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This matches any button whose ID contains the word \u201csave\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HTML:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You know the ID of the XPath:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This moves up the DOM from the input to its parent button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HTML:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n XPath:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This selects the button associated with the \u201cPremium Plan\u201d heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a full walkthrough and many more patterns, see:
https:\/\/help.mjtnet.com\/article\/554-an-xpath-primer-for-web-automation-with-macro-scheduler-examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/help.mjtnet.com\/article\/555-a-jsonpath-primer-with-macro-scheduler-examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n🔹 XPath \u2014 Find Web Elements Reliably<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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ChromeFindElements>session_id,xpath,value,elements_array<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nExample: Find an Input by Attribute<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ChromeFindElements>session_id,xpath,\/\/input[@name='q'],elements\nChromeSetElementValue>session_id,elements_1,macro scheduler<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<input><\/code> element whose name<\/code> attribute equals q<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUsing Partial Matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ChromeFindElements>session_id,xpath,\/\/button[contains(@id,'save')],elements<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReal-World Scenario: Clicking a Button Based on a Child Element<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<button>\n <label for=\"checkbox-123\">Pacific Islander<\/label>\n <input id=\"checkbox-123\">\n<\/button><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\ninput<\/code>, but need to click the surrounding button<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChromeFindElements>session_id,xpath,\/\/input[@id='checkbox-123']\/ancestor::button,btn\nChromeClickElement>session_id,btn_1<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReal-World Scenario: Find a Button Based on Nearby Text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<div class=\"option\">\n <h3>Premium Plan<\/h3>\n <button>Select<\/button>\n<\/div><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nChromeFindElements>session_id,xpath,\/\/h3[text()='Premium Plan']\/following-sibling::button,btn\nChromeClickElement>session_id,btn_1<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nXPath Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\/\/<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\ncontains()<\/code> for dynamic values<\/li>\n\n\n\n\/html\/body\/...<\/code> absolute paths<\/li>\n\n\n\nelements_array_count<\/code> before using results<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/help.mjtnet.com\/article\/554-an-xpath-primer-for-web-automation-with-macro-scheduler-examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n🔹 JSONPath \u2014 Extract Data from JSON<\/h2>\n\n\n\n