TestComplete Tabbing does not work with my application

[forrestaustin]

Hello,

I have a .NET based desktop application I am testing with some simple textbox fields inside of it. When I run the application manually (without testcomplete) I am able to use the tab key to go to the next text field. However, when I run the application inside testcomplete such as when I am recording the test, the tab key no longer works as it should during recording. This is a problem because this is how we test if a value is out of the desired range. If the min value is 0 and one puts in -1, then the form does not allow you to tab to the next field.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could fix this or any work around suggestions?

[tristaanogre]

What does your recording look like? Technically speaking, if you send "Keys('[Tab]')" that should simulate hitting the tab key on whatever object is the target of Keys.  If you can share a screenshot of your recording, that would be helpful.

[forrestaustin]

Sharing a screenshot would not be possible since my testcomplete is on a closed network computer. I click on the text box and press tab, nothing happens so Ill try pressing tab again, and still nothing happens. The test recognizes that I am pressing 

"[Tab]" but it does the program does not act accordingly.

[forrestaustin]

Another weird thing is once I stop recording and the application is still open, then the application no longer accepts tab inputs either. If I open the application without testcomplete then tabs work fine but somehow launching from testcomplete is stopping the tabbing functionality even after testcomplete has closed.

[tristaanogre]

Well...

1) Are you doing script code or keyword tests?

2) Are you using the "Keys" method in your tests?

3) What OS are you using?

4) What component class is it?

5) How is the object mapped?

This is, basically, what we need to know before we can even start to troubleshoot.  Generally speaking, the "tab" method works very well for many people so it has to be something unique to your environment/application/implementation.

[forrestaustin]

1) I am creating this specific test using the record and playback so keyword test. Although I will say that I do plan on converting it to a script after it is made working correctly.

2) The operation in the keyword test is Keys yes. I am physically doing the exact same motions I do when it normally works just this time I have the TestComplete recorder open.

3)I am on Windows 7 64 bit. 

4) I don't know. What is is a component class/ How do I find that out?

5) It is mapped by its winforms control name. 

[tristaanogre]

Out of curiousity... do you have a virus scanner of some sort running on that machine?  It's possible that something may be intercepting TestComplete's hooks into the Keys method.

[forrestaustin]

Nope there is no virus scanner on this system.. Like I said before it runs perfectly fine without testcomplete running but when testcomplete is used the tab keys stop working. And even when testcomplete is closed the tab keys still stop working for the application until the application is restarted.. So it sounds like TestComplete is spawning off some other process capturing the tab keys or something.

[tristaanogre]

That is truly strange...  Again, I can't imagine what it could be.

At this point, your best bet would be to contact SmartBear support directly.  They may have some hints as to what to try.

[forrestaustin]

I'm currently waiting for them to analyze the error report. Thanks for the suggestions.