How to list all the elements of an application?

Question

I'm trying to click a button on a windows application from other application. Basically, I want to click app B's button from app A's code.

I can use winapi findWindow to get a handler. The problem is that I have no idea the name of the button on the app B. Is this possible to list all the names or ids of an application?

I'm using c# to make it happen.

@Arion // None so far. I tried to google, got nothing. I know that this question might not fit here since I don't have any source code, but...I have no idea how to approach this problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.. — Moon, Apr 14 '12 at 22:10

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

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Since you're looking at suggestions (it's a pretty generic question really, it might or might not work depending on what other app/window is, is it e.g. browser or a 3rd party app etc., does it support automation)

Take a look at this closely related answer (it might be a duplicate but you're kind of 'looking for' still so maybe note).

Accessing Elements from Other Processes

Also this one on how to 'access' other app's 'inputs'
Pinvoke SetFocus to a particular control

edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

Community

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answered Apr 14 '12 at 22:13

NSGaga-mostly-inactive

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NSGaga // Thank you for the post! – Moon Apr 14 '12 at 22:15
@Moon np - Your best bet is going with the [UI Automation](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms747327.aspx). or accessibility (older version of it sort of), still nothing is guaranteed. – NSGaga-mostly-inactive Apr 14 '12 at 22:16

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 14 '12 at 22:16

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I have not tested this. But it looks like a intressting libary. Maybe there is some function you can use. It is called White. This is just a sample:

Application application = Application.Launch("foo.exe");
Window window = application.GetWindow("bar", InitializeOption.NoCache);

Button button = window.Get<Button>("save");
button.Click();

answered Apr 14 '12 at 22:16

Arion

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sure does, though should be given some testing – NSGaga-mostly-inactive Apr 14 '12 at 22:23

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 14 '12 at 22:35

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You can use tool such as Spy++ (included in any Visual Studio except Express editions) to find name and class of that button and then use these information as parameters of FindWindow().

answered Apr 14 '12 at 22:35

Ňuf

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great! Spy++ seems very useful – Moon Apr 14 '12 at 23:13

How to list all the elements of an application?

3 Answers3