Is there a way to click on button in application using powershell

Question

using powershell code i would like to open the application and click on any option. like open Notepad++ and click on file -->new

This is independent script which run in powershell console

i tried to grab the Notepad++ window handle like this

$WindowHandle = Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.MainWindowTitle -Match $WindowTitle } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty MainWindowHandle

but i am not able to click on it.

to open Notepad++

start-process "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"

to grab the window

 $WindowHandle = Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.MainWindowTitle -Match $WindowTitle } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty MainWindowHandle

any code snippet which can help me in grabbing the control on notepad++ and click on options or buttons.

Michael B. · Accepted Answer · 2019-05-10 12:53:55Z

3

If all the actions you want to do have a shortcut, you could just send the keys to the window.

For example to open a new file you can use CTRL + N

start-process "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
$WindowHandle = Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.MainWindowTitle -Match $WindowTitle } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty MainWindowHandle

[void][System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName('System.Windows.Forms')
[System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]::SendWait("^{n}")

EDIT: When you press ALT in Notepad++ it will show you the shortcuts you can use to open the different menus.

To open File, you can use ALT+F (The F is underlined, meaning that's the shortcut). After that you could navigate down/up using keys to select what you want. Most applications will have this behavior.

Besides that, in Notepad++ you could also map pretty much any action to a key combination. However, this would mean your script only works on your PC, with your settings.

edited May 10, 2019 at 12:53

answered May 10, 2019 at 10:57

Michael B.

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4 Comments

surendra Over a year ago

Thanks for the code. I need one help..if its not with ctrl + n if i want to click on any button in application is that possible.?

Michael B. Over a year ago

When you press the ALT key in notepad++ it will show shortcuts for all the menu tabs. Most applications have this enabled (or should have :) ). I'll edit my answer with what I mean.

DWR Over a year ago

what's the mechanism by which [System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys]::SendWait("^{n}") knows to send that key to the $WindowHandle window? Is it looking for a variable in the local environment explicitly named $WindowHandle?

Palle Due Over a year ago

@DWR: It doesn't know, it sends to the window that has focus. If you open another application while running this, that application will get the key strokes.

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