Getting A Handle On View System Windows

fthomas · Post by **fthomas** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 6:53 pm

I'd like to get a real handle on using the 'View System Windows' with MS so I can really refine my automation. Other techniques like image recognition are great, but I really like to use them as a fall back and not the main procedure.

Marcus, do you have any plans on creating a video showing things like finding the right control in an app, changing a check box or entering data into a dialog box and such?

Thanks!

Frank

Dorian (MJT support) · Post by **Dorian (MJT support)** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:26 am

Thank you for your suggestion, Frank. To be honest, we're always looking for ideas for upcoming videos.

I will add your suggestion to the list, as it sounds like something a lot of users could benefit from.

fthomas · Post by **fthomas** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:10 am

Parsnipnose3000 wrote:Thank you for your suggestion, Frank. To be honest, we're always looking for ideas for upcoming videos.

I will add your suggestion to the list, as it sounds like something a lot of users could benefit from.

Hey Marcus, did you happen to get anything up with this? If not, I did submit a ticket in this area and if you show me, I'd be glad to create a video to share with the community as a whole.

Cheers,

Frank

Post by **Marcus Tettmar** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:21 am

I often use the Send Keys to Object Wizard to quickly find a reference to an object because it allows me to put the cursor over an object and returns a FindObject code. I then remove the bit that sends the keys.

There's a video which goes with that:
http://www.mjtnet.com/demos/objectkeys_wiz.htm?fromwiz

As this is so useful it would make sense for us to add a version of this wizard under the Window Objects category which just outputs FindObject code. We'll call it FindObject Wizard.

View System Windows is pretty simple - just a hierarchical tree of all windowed objects showing their handle, classname and a caption if any. You can use the search box to try and find something but if it doesn't have a caption which matches what is visible on the screen it can be hard to find, hence using the wizard is easier.

I'm not sure how I would do a video on View System Windows, but feel free to do one if you have some ideas.

fthomas · Post by **fthomas** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:27 pm

I've gotta say, I had a training session with Marcus and it was the most productive hour I've ever had at 7 in the morning, lol!

To be honest, I'm deeply grateful and will be posting a video, when it's done, on the overall of what he taught me. Truly priceless stuff, if you are into windows automation!

But as a good starting point, do watch the videos below to learn how to better automate things in MS. Great videos!!!!

Thanks again Marcus!

Frank