- Release Notes
- Getting Started
- Setup and Configuration
- Automation Projects
- Dependencies
- Types of Workflows
- File Comparison
- Automation Best Practices
- Source Control Integration
- Debugging
- The Diagnostic Tool
- Variables
- Arguments
- Imported Namespaces
- Trigger-based Attended Automation
- Recording
- UI Elements
- Control Flow
- Selectors
- Object Repository
- Data Scraping
- Image and Text Automation
- Automating Citrix Technologies
- RDP Automation
- Salesforce Automation
- SAP Automation
- VMware Horizon Automation
- Logging
- The ScreenScrapeJavaSupport Tool
- The WebDriver Protocol
- Test Suite - Studio
- Extensions
- Troubleshooting
- About troubleshooting
- Microsoft App-V support and limitations
- Internet Explorer X64 troubleshooting
- Microsoft Office issues
- Identifying UI elements in PDF with Accessibility options
- Repairing Active Accessibility support
- Automating Applications Running Under a Different Windows User
- Validation of large Windows-legacy projects takes longer than expected
Input methods
Input actions require you or the robot to directly interact with an opened application or web page. There are three types of input methods for click and type actions, that differ in terms of compatibility and capability.
We generally recommend the Simulate Type/Click method as it is the fastest of the three and works in the background, but only if you do not need to send special keyboard shortcuts. If this does not work for you, try the SendWindowMessages method and then the Default one, as it is the slowest.
|
Capability Method |
Compatibility |
Background Execution |
Speed |
Hotkey Support |
Auto Empty Field |
Design experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hardware Events |
100% |
no |
medium |
yes |
no |
Classic/Modern |
|
SendWindowMessages |
80% |
yes |
medium |
yes |
no |
Classic/Modern |
|
Simulate Type/Click |
99% - web apps 60% - desktop apps |
yes |
high |
no |
yes |
Classic/Modern |
|
100% - Chrome, Edge browsers |
yes |
medium |
yes |
yes |
|
The input method can be changed at any point from the Properties panel of the selected activity. If the SimulateType or SendWindowMessages check boxes are not selected, then the Default method is applied.
The Default application simulates a click or type with the help of the hardware driver, while the Simulate Type/Click method uses the technology of the target application. Lastly, the SendWindowMessages works by sending a specific message directly to the target application.
