Jump to content
Macro Express Forums

Are Web Pages That Use Controls "Dead"?


Recommended Posts

It's been a while since I've started a topic here (had a long spell where I had forgotten password, the account wasn't easily recovered, etc.). Anyhey, here I am! %^}

Am I correct that if I use the Control locator utility and it doesn't highlight the intended control area with a thick black border that it {the intended control area} really isn't a usable control? I guess I'm curious to know, what caused their demise? Or perhaps I misunderstand the use of the locator utility.

 

Just for fun, I went to about 15 major web pages (Google and misc Fortune 500 web sites)... of those visited none, 0, zip, nadda seem to have usable controls.

 

For lack of controls, I guess I'm forced to use X,Y mouse co-ords. I was hoping for a more precise / "sure fire" technique.

 

My immediate and recurring goal, by the way, is to fill in web forms / surveys and the like. I know there are things like RoboForm, etc; but I haven't seen one yet that can pull a random comment from a text file and paste it in the form (usually under a comments section, etc.) the way MEP can!

 

Comments appreciated!

 

--Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My experience has been that no forms in a browser contain any Window Controls. The only Window Controls you might find are things like the url address or the entire browser window. I just did a quick test and Firefox does not have any Window Controls while Internet Explorer has a few.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Macro Express can detect controls in some programs, but not in browsers.

 

However, there are ways to navigate to controls via Macro Express without clicking on x, y coordinates. One approach is to search for unique text near the target, and then either Tab or Shift Tab to the desired control. In pseudo code:

 

Type {Control}f ' Find on the page. In some (most?) browsers, F3 does the same thing.

Delay 100 ms

Type Surname:

Type {Enter}

Delay 100 ms

Type {Escape} ' Cancel the search

Delay 100 ms

Type {Tab}{Tab} ' Tab to the desired field or control

 

You will need to play with delays and target text to get this to work reliably.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...