Description: This command is used to clear the content of a desktop element defined by a Desktop locator, by using the focused element on screen or by OCR using Use Text option. Offset X and Y fields can be used in cases where the element appearance is different every time which could make the Desktop locator point to a different place. In such cases, an element that does not change (such as a label) can be used as an anchor and the offset points added so that the label is found and the direction is shifted from the label to this text box.
Usage Scenario (1): Suppose we want to clear the contents of Notepad file without using Desktop_Hotkeys command to select all content and another Desktop_Hotkey command to Delete.
Procedure: Define steps that open a Notepad file. Then use Desktop_Clear command with “Use Focused Component” which will automatically delete the contents of the entire file when focus is on the file.
Usage Scenario (2): Suppose we want to clear the Run text box on Windows (WIN +R) but it does not always show the same content, so defining a Desktop locator may not find the correct element. In such case, we can use Desktop_Clear command to use a static object that does not change place (such as Open: label) and use Offset fields to move from this static object to the text box.
Procedure: Define a step that opens Run using Desktop_Hotkeys (Win + R). Then define a step that uses Desktop_Clear command. In the Reference Point, define a Desktop locator for Open: label. Afterwards, you can specify the Offset where X controls horizontal scope and Y controls vertical scope. Let’s use 60 horizontal offset points. Your steps will look like this:
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Desktop commands are controlled by Locator Timeouts under User Execution Preferences. If the locator timeout is not sufficient enough for the command to find the element, you can increase Locator Timeout to give the step more time to work. It’s recommended to use 20 seconds for desktop commands. |
The following video demonstrates how these steps get executed: