Selenium - File Upload/Download using Autoit

Selenium - File Upload/Download using Autoit


I was working on selenium scripts and came across file upload functionality. Selenium core JavaScript engine don't have capability to handle the windows pop-up due to same origin policy, so we need to relay on other tools. One of the best open source tool for handling windows objects is Autoit. Lets understand how to use this tool for the functionality that can't be handled by the selenium.


I would like to explain the Autoit tool on the file upload functionality. Download the tool form the above mentioned site, create the appropriate Autoit script, compile into exe file, test the exe file to verify whether the functionality is working as expected and integrate with selenium. Read the help file for better understanding.


I have web button on the page, when selected, browser opens the following window(attaching screen shot below). Selenium works fine till this button selection, now it is the responsibility of the Autoit script to select the file so that selenium can continue with the remaining GUI activity.

What are the different steps that need to be performed by the Autoit to select the file from the above window.
1. Select the window and get the focus on it.
2. Type the file name with path in the text box.
3. Select open button, so that all the selection details are transfered into web page control and selenium can take control of the next activity.


Following is the Autoit script for the above steps, compile and convert into exe file and call from selenium. How to call the exe file from JAVA?
Java Code

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("C:\\NEW.EXE " + FileName); //call Autoit script with one parameter FileName

AutoIt Script

;MsgBox(0,"Parameters",$CmdLine[1]) ;Sending parameters through command line
FileCopy("C:\W3C.png", "C:\"&$CmdLine[1]&".png") ;Make a duplicate copy of the file, as same file name is not accepted
sleep(3000);delay for 3 seconds for the file to create
WinWaitActive("#32770", "Choose File to Upload",10)
WinFlash("Choose File to Upload","", 4, 500) ; Just to Flash the window
ControlSetText("Choose File to Upload", "", "[CLASS:Edit; INSTANCE:1]", "C:\"&$CmdLine[1]&".png")
ControlClick("Choose File to Upload", "","[CLASS:Button; INSTANCE:2]");

How to capture the Windows object properties, by using Autoit Windows Info tool, following screen shot demonstrates how to open and capture the windows controls.

Drag and drop the finder tool icon on the windows objects to get its corresponding properties.
Verify help to understand the syntax of Autoit commands. 

Enjoy scripting Autoit...cool tool.

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