Forum Discussion

brian_kratsch's avatar
brian_kratsch
Contributor
11 years ago

Selecting unique value from drop down list with duplicates

Background: Keyword Test user, very little coded experience but I can usually follow examples Issue: I have run into a HTML Select object (ObjectType Select) that has duplicate values in the...
  • HKosova's avatar
    HKosova
    11 years ago
    Hi Brian,



    You can also use a custom ClickItem function to click the Nth matching item. For example (assuming your project uses JScript):



    /*

    Selects the Nth duplicate item from the combo box.



    Parameters:

    ComboBox - the combo box object.

    Label - the item text.

    Index - the index (from 1) of the duplicate item to select.

    */

    function ClickItem(ComboBox, Label, Index)

    {

      var ind = 1;

      for (var i = 0; i < ComboBox.wItemCount; i++)

      {

        if (ComboBox.wItem(i) == Label)

        {

          if (ind == Index)

          {

            ComboBox.ClickItem(i);

            return;

          }

          else

            ind++;

        }

      }

    }



    In your keyword test, use the Run Script Routine operation to call this ClickItem function with the following parameters:

    ComboBox: Aliases.browser.<page_name_and_name_of_the_select_element>

    Label: item text

    Index: 2
HKosova's avatar
HKosova
SmartBear Alumni (Retired)
Hi Brian,



You can also use a custom ClickItem function to click the Nth matching item. For example (assuming your project uses JScript):



/*

Selects the Nth duplicate item from the combo box.



Parameters:

ComboBox - the combo box object.

Label - the item text.

Index - the index (from 1) of the duplicate item to select.

*/

function ClickItem(ComboBox, Label, Index)

{

  var ind = 1;

  for (var i = 0; i < ComboBox.wItemCount; i++)

  {

    if (ComboBox.wItem(i) == Label)

    {

      if (ind == Index)

      {

        ComboBox.ClickItem(i);

        return;

      }

      else

        ind++;

    }

  }

}



In your keyword test, use the Run Script Routine operation to call this ClickItem function with the following parameters:

ComboBox: Aliases.browser.<page_name_and_name_of_the_select_element>

Label: item text

Index: 2
hhagay's avatar
hhagay
Contributor
9 years ago

Hello

I found your solution while searching for somewhat similar issue.

I use TC12 with Javascript

The AUT uses react to dynamically generate object ids

 

How do I find the dropdown object? then how do i map its list items given that they are hidden and my attempts to click and keep the dropdown list fail.

 

Than you

 

 

 

  • AlexKaras's avatar
    AlexKaras
    Champion Level 3
    9 years ago

    Hi,

     

    > The AUT uses react to dynamically generate object ids. How do I find the dropdown object?

    To locate the dropdown object use Object Spy and drag its 'crosshair' control over dropdown control of your application. To reliably identify the found object during test runs you must examine it in the Object Browser and find the combination of parameters and their values that do not change from run to run. More details can be found in the https://support.smartbear.com/screencasts/testcomplete/reliable-tests-for-dynamic-objects/ recording and https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/testing-with/object-identification/index.html help topic.

     

    > then how do i map its list items given that they are hidden and my attempts to click and keep the dropdown list fail.

    If the dropdown list is created only after the dropdown is expanded, you may use Object Spy in the Point-and-Click mode (use its control with an arrow to switch this mode on). Expand your combobox, point to it, fix by pressing Ctrl-A shortcut and examine obtained object in the Object Spy. (Note, the object may disappear in the Object Spy after some time if it is destroyed in the tested application. Repeat the above procedure if this is the case.)

    You may also to record selection of some item from the dropdown to get an idea of how things are recognized by TestComplete and use recorded script along with the info obtained from the Object Spy to work out test code that meets your needs.

    In real test code the sequence of actions should be like this: click the dropdown control to expand it; find the object with list items; iterate through the list to find the item that you need (or search for that item using XPath); click the found item.

    • hhagay's avatar
      hhagay
      Contributor
      9 years ago

      Hello Alex

       

      Thank you for your post. Please see my input.

       

      > The AUT uses react to dynamically generate object ids. How do I find the dropdown object?

      - I do not use name mapping in my project. I am use XPath throughout.

      However I recorded the page (hence used name mapping) and used the object spy and could not find anything that can be remotely used.

      > then how do i map its list items given that they are hidden and my attempts to click and keep the dropdown list fail.

      - I followed your suggestions but I could not keep the combobox (aka dropdown list box) open for the object spy to identify it.

       

      Any suggestions?

       

      Thank you

       

      • AlexKaras's avatar
        AlexKaras
        Champion Level 3
        9 years ago

        Hi,

         

        First, I would agree with Colin - it is really strange that Object Spy has problems with capturing web elements. Most probably, you are missing some steps...

         

        > I am use XPath throughout.

        This is personal, but my preference is not to use XPath but Aliases (through proper NameMapping) combined with .FindChild() / .FindAlias() methods.

        Developers like XPath, I don't.

        Reason: in most cases, XPath itself gives you no idea about what element you are looking for. Just because most of the controls on the web page do not have static ids. Thus the majority of XPath-es are like 'third link within the table[1] that is somewhere below the panel with id=divMain'. When developers change something, it is not easy to figure out what exact element test worked with previously and how this element is identified now (if it even exists).

        Alias names and FindChild() parameters usually provide you with more information.