Win Type

Win Type

Type: win-type  ·  Package: Desktop Activities v1.0.8

Types text into an input field of a desktop application. It’s how you fill in forms: user, password, search values, data entry.

How it works

It locates the field by its selector, brings its window to the front and types text according to method (see interaction methods):

• value (default): sets the text through the UIA Value pattern, all at once. It replaces the field’s content even with clear = false. If the field doesn’t support the Value pattern, or it is read-only for UIA, it switches to keyboard simulation by itself.
• simulate: focuses the field (in Java applications, with a click on it), clears it with Ctrl+A and Delete if clear = true, and types the text letter by letter. With clear = false the text is added where the cursor is.

Windows date pickers and DataGridView grid cells are filled with the keyboard and verified, just like in Win Set Value. The log records which field was written, never the text.

Required parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
selector	selector	—	The field to type into.
text	string | credential	—	The text to type. Accepts a credential (credential("name")["field"]) without exposing its value.

Optional parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
session	ZoanDesktopSession	—	Win Attach session. Inside a body it is taken automatically; without a session, the selector must include the window.
clear	bool	true	Clear the field before typing. With method = value the content is always replaced.
method	string	value	Method: value (UIA Value pattern, fast) · simulate (simulates keystrokes).
timeout	number	30000	Maximum ms to wait for the element. Empty = the project’s UI timeout or, if not set, 30000.

Output

This activity does not return a value.

Common errors

Message	Cause and fix
The element is outside the visible area and could not be scrolled into view, …	The field is hidden by its container’s scrolling. Add a Win Scroll before it.
The Java control could not be located unambiguously, so nothing was done. …	In a Java app there are several identical fields; it won’t type into whatever has the focus. Add an anchor or an idx to the selector.
The value is not a valid date. … / The date picker did not keep the date …	In a date picker. See Win Set Value.
An empty value cannot be typed into a grid cell; … / The grid cell did not keep the typed value …	In a grid cell. See Win Set Value.
Element not found with selector {…}.	See common errors.

Example

Win Type   selector = (field "User")       text = credential("erp")["user"]
Win Type   selector = (field "Password")   text = credential("erp")["password"]
Win Click  selector = (button "Sign in")

Append text at the end of a field without clearing what it already has:

Win Key Press   selector = (field "Remarks")   keys = "ctrl+end"
Win Type        selector = (field "Remarks")   text = " Reviewed."   method = simulate   clear = false

value or simulate?

Start with value (default): it’s instant and safe. Switch to simulate if the field needs per-key events (autocomplete, input masks) or if the text doesn’t “take” with value.

Credentials without exposing them

For users and passwords, use credential("name")["field"]: the value never ends up in the playbook or the logs. See Using credentials.

Related activities

• Win Set Value — set a value directly (Value method only).
• Win Key Press — send special keys (Tab, Enter…).
• Win Get Text — read a field’s value.