Prompting a user for input with WebRecorder

[JonDubya]

Is this possible? I have a process to automate, however it requires a user to enter a value specific to each process run. Is there a way to get a popup box, ask for the input (string) and then return those results to the web form field?

[Marcus Tettmar]

Yes. WebRecorder creates Macro Scheduler code. So you can edit the script in Macro Scheduler and use any Macro Scheduler function you like. Sounds like the Input function is what you need, but you could also design your own dialogs with the custom dialog designer.

[JonDubya]

Sweet...I have another question...checkboxes...I want it to UNCHECK certain boxes but when I check or uncheck the box, the script code looks the same to me, is there a way to make it only uncheck?

[JonDubya]

nvm, found the Get/Set CheckBox functions.

[JonDubya]

Ok...it seems that I'm using the GetCheckBox wrong or something because it continues to return 0. Is this function usable with IE? Here's my code:

Code: Select all

Let>FrameName={"main content"}
Let>FormName={""}
GetCheckBox>%IE[0]%,IPDHCPENABLE,dhcp
If>dhcp=1,checked,unchecked

Label>checked
Label>end

Label>unchecked
Let>FrameName={"main content"}
Let>FormName={""}
Let>TagValue={"vac.255.IPDHCPENABLE:1"}
IE_ClickTag>%IE[0]%,str:FrameName,str:FormName,INPUT,CHECKBOX,str:TagValue,r
Label>end

For the object_caption value, I've tried both the text next to the checkbox ("Enable DHCP") and the actual checkbox name, IPDHCPENABLE, with neither working. The problem either lies with that or with the window_title value (also guessing at this since it's what everything else uses in the script).

TIA
Jon

[Marcus Tettmar]

GetCheckBox/SetCheckBox work with regular windows - regular checkbox controls - windowed controls. Checkboxes in web pages are not windowed controls - they are HTML elements - part of the page itself. So GetCheckBox/SetCheckBox cannot work with web page controls.

You need to use WebRecorder's ClickTag function. However, you have noticed that this clicks it but gives you no way of knowing whether or not it is already checked.

What is needed is a new function to return the CHECKED property of a checkbox, or a version of the FormFill function which lets you specifically set the CHECKED property of checkboxes. This isn't there yet, but you have identified a need and we will get on to it immediately!

[JonDubya]

Sweet! Thanks!

[Marcus Tettmar]

In the mean time I have just spotted a workaround. You can use the ExtractTag function.

Use the tag extraction wizard. Click on the checkbox. It will create some code something like this:

Let>INPUT5_SIZE=4098
LibFunc>hIE,ExtractTag,r,%IE[0]%,,INPUT,5,0,INPUT5
MidStr>r_6,1,r,INPUT5

This was created when recording against the contact form on our site, clicking on the subscribe checkbox there.

Now, change that zero, in the penultimate field, which I have bolded, to a 1.

This will return something like this:

Code: Select all

<INPUT type=checkbox CHECKED size=30 value=SUBSCRIBED name=subscribe>

When the box is NOT checked it will return:

Code: Select all

<INPUT type=checkbox size=30 value=SUBSCRIBED name=subscribe>

Note that when the checkbox is checked the word CHECKED appears in the tag. And when it is not checked the word CHECKED does NOT appear.

So, we can put this together and do something like this:

Code: Select all

Let>INPUT5_SIZE=4098
LibFunc>hIE,ExtractTag,r,%IE[0]%,,INPUT,5,1,INPUT5
MidStr>r_6,1,r,INPUT5
Position>CHECKED,Input5,1,p
If>p=0
  MessageModal>Not Checked
Else
  MessageModal>Checked
Endif

So now you can determine whether or not you should ClickTag it.

Hope this helps.

[Marcus Tettmar]

Or if you're using the Imports method, replace the LibFunc line with:

IE_ExtractTag>%IE[0]%,,INPUT,5,1,INPUT5,r

[JonDubya]

Yes, thanks again! Also, is there a list of the IEAuto functions (IE_*), their inputs and what the function does? Pretty much like what the Help for the Macro Scheduler does.

[Marcus Tettmar]

Yes, look at the WebRecorder help file. Topic called "IEAuto.DLL Functions".

Run WebRecorder, clieck Help/Contents. Or hit F1. Or Start/Programs/WebRecorder Help.

[JonDubya]

Ok the workaround works. But man...what's with the r var? That s*** is confusing!

[Marcus Tettmar]

The "r" is the return variable. I could have called it "Fred". Call it "Result" if you think it makes it less confusing. It is just the name of the variable that stores the results of the function. r has the return code. r_6 the HTML returned as it relates to the 6th parameter which is a buffer.

[JonDubya]

yeah, I just renamed it.