![]() ![]() At a minimum, most other Windows programs offer ribbon menus or traditional menu bars include right-click context menus execute Alt+key shortcuts or, in traditional Windows apps, use control names identifiable by Window Spy. The protections built into Web browsers present special problems for screen-level AutoHotkey automation. AutoHotkey Screen-Level Web Page Automation Problem ![]() For now, I highlight some of the commands you can use to do screen-level Web page automation. You’ll need to learn a little HTML and JavaScript-although, nothing too complicated. Regardless of how you approach source-level Web page automation, you’ll encounter complications and a learning curve. In future blogs, I’ll highlight a method for working at the source-level using only AutoHotkey tools (and a little JavaScript code).ĭon’t get me wrong. However, I don’t plan to discuss these options (nor do I know enough about them to recommend either one). You’ll find third-party programs such as Selenium and iMacros for automating Web pages. Different browsers require a different set of tools to access a backdoor into the source code. For example, you can use the Component Object Model (COM) tools to automatic Internet Explorer, but that won’t work with non-Microsoft browsers. Source-level automation often depends upon the specific browser. While more robust, this type of source-level automation involves more complications than screen-level automation. input fields, buttons, links, etc.) and interactive JavaScript which can enact Web page changes after delivery to the Web browser. Source-Level Web Page AutomationĪ more precise method for interacting with Web pages with AutoHotkey involves accessing the code running underneath the Web browser (the source delivered by the Web server): HTML code which sets up the static text and controls (e.g. Once identified in the window layout, the script can include those coordinates for input field and button access. ahk icon in System Tray and select Window Spy from the menu)-returning pixel coordinates of control locations on the page. That means the scriptwriter must study the page-often with Window Spy (right-click on an AutoHotkey. In order to engage Web page input fields and buttons, AutoHotkey needs to know where they sit in the browser window. On the downside, since the Web page view does not offer control names for direct access, we must resort to crude techniques. Although often awkward, this approach directly interacts with the page using fundamental AutoHotkey tools. Screen-Level Web Page Automationīy far, the most common form of AutoHotkey Web page automation involves working directly with the Web browser on the computer screen. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) acts as a window into the Internet while hiding its inner workings from view. In either case, you need to do it through your Web browser. Click, SendInput, etc).Īccessing the page source code (HTML and JavaScript) to actively manipulate Web browser action with specially designed tools. Navigating and executing the on-screen Web page controls with basic AutoHotkey commands (e.g. When it comes to automating actions in a Web page with AutoHotkey you’ll find two options: The Web browser sends back any user actions requiring server action. The Web browser interprets the code and sends the results to the computer screen in the form of text, images, links, and controls. ![]() After receiving a request from a Web browser, the Web server sends code consisting of HTML and JavaScript to that Web browser. ![]()
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