In automation, there can be some scenarios where a list of steps can be replaced by just using a shortcut key. Automating the shortcut can be a simple solution instead of a lengthy navigation. In such situations Send Keys action in Certify is real a savior. The Send Keys action allows us to Send Keys to any window with its caption. This action will search for the window specified in the Caption and send the user specified keys to the window.

While automating some HTML pages we come across scenarios where just learning the objects do not work due to its dynamic nature. This can be handled using Send Keys.

To specify keys combined with any combination of the SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys, precede the key code with one or more of the following codes.

Below are some scenarios where Send Keys can be really useful,

Clearing Browser History on Chrome

1. We can automate Clear Browser history for Chrome with Send Keys action. For updated version of Chrome, the browser history tab looks like the image below. For opening this tab on Chrome, we use key strokes Ctrl+Shift+Delete.

2. Certify Step:

Application Version: System 1.0 | Window: System | Object: System | Action: Send Keys

With Certify we use Send Keys action with value as “^+{DEL}” with a Target window caption as “Chrome” with caption criteria as “Contains”.

3. Then, we need to count the no of times we press TAB, to bring the cursor to “CLEAR BROWSER DATA” button. With certify we can use Send Keys action with value as “{TAB n}” with target window caption as “Settings”.
Note: (n – no. of times we press the key)
Ex: {TAB 3} – This presses Tab key three times.

4. The next step is to Press ENTER. With Certify we can use Send Keys action with value “{ENTER}”.

5. Finally, for closing this tab we use the keystroke Ctrl+F4. With certify we can use Send Keys action with value as “^{F4}” with target window caption as “Settings”.

Working with PDF on Chrome

1. Similarly when working with PDF on Chrome, the PDF file opens in a new tab on Chrome. Suppose we have to go to the end of the page to take a screen-shot. To achieve this we use Send Keys action

with value “^{END}” and target window caption as “. pdf” as the caption contains its file format (.pdf).

2. For closing the PDF tab we can use Send Keys value as “^{F4}” with caption as .pdf with caption criteria as “contains” since the pdf file name can be dynamic.

This is how we can use “Send Keys” action while working on HTML automation with Certify.

Below is the list of Keys you can use with Certify

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