Cycle through data grid entries and retrieve text from cells

General Macro Scheduler discussion

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tacquire
Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:24 pm

Cycle through data grid entries and retrieve text from cells

Post by tacquire » Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:26 pm

This is more of a question of if this is an option or not. I am evaluating this development tool for a project and need to know if it will be able to iterate through rows/columns and retrieve values from them. Does it work even if the grid is a custom control?
Thank you.

adroege
Automation Wizard
Posts: 438
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:39 pm

Post by adroege » Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:41 pm

Macro Scheduler can automate most things that a human is able to do, and some that a human cannot do.

Your question is lacking in details, but I think I understand it. If the program/grid/control you are automating can be manipulated with keyboard and/or mouse commands. Then Macro Scheduler can easily send those keys/mouse events.

If the program/grid/control (whatever) responds to normal Windows events like cut/paste..... then Macro Scheduler can too.

Bottom line is that there is no "magic - read data from grid" command. You need to write the program to do it. This means loops, variables, logic, etc.

I have done it.

Sometimes, though there are better ways.

Let's say that the program you are trying to automate is displaying data from a SQL database. Instead of trying to grab data from the GUI of that program, Macro Scheduler has the capability to read the SQL database directly to get that same data. Been there and done that too.

It's an incredible tool. Try the Eval. If you need help, these forums are a wonderful resource, and users like myself are glad to assist.

tacquire
Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:24 pm

Post by tacquire » Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:04 pm

I am an experienced programmer but before I waste too much time on this I just wanted to know if it has any known issues with manipulating grid controls and extracting data from them. It sounds like it doesn't. The system I am looking to automate has an oracle back in database and if I can avoid writing to the database directly then I will gladly do so.

adroege
Automation Wizard
Posts: 438
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:39 pm

Post by adroege » Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:20 am

if I can avoid writing to the database directly then I will gladly do so.
Why? I have found this to be the most reliable and in many ways easier method of automation.

Is it because you don't know SQL?

There are ways of turning on logging at the database to capture every SQL which is being run. Then by filtering by user/application you should be able to see what SQL your application you which to automate is sending. Then you can embed those queries inside your macro scheduler script.

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