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Can not add UI Element

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Posted on by generalledger

First time user of Power Automate Desktop.

Trying to add a UI Element. PAD recognizes the entire Window of my application (Nextech) but none of the pieces (text fields, drop downs, radio buttons, etc.). I believe it is an issue with the way the application is accessed or designed, To open my application, I open Chrome (I have installed the Chrome and Google browser extensions). Click on an icon to open a Redirect Web Access page. Select an icon to open the application. Enter login credentials. Is that too many leaps for PAD to take? Or could it be some funky way my application is designed? Thank you.

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Nived_Nambiar 18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @generalledger ,

Could you please try it once again

Or

Is there any error coming along with?
Regards,
Nived N

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MichaelAnnis 5,727 Moderator on at

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It is possible that application is designed with an underlying language that is niether web-based nor windows-based. However, a very common issue is trying to use web UI when it is actually Window's UI, or vice-versa. So, if you are currently trying to say "Click link on web page" and you can't find it, then try "click UI element in window."

Trying to add a UI element from within these commands I believe will limit them to only those elements. Another way to add UI elements is to click on the UI elements tab button in the upper-right corner:

From here, click "Add UI element" and it should be able to find both. When hovering over different sections, give it a good 1-2 seconds to try to zero in on the selectors; you should see the red rectangle box getting smaller and smaller. If that's not happening, then you are probably right and it is in a different language.

At that point, I would use "Move Mouse to Image" to operate that application.

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generalledger 12 on at

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Michael, I was using the Add UI Elements option in the top right corner. PAD couldn't "see" elements other than the full window with the application. It found and outlined elements when I hovered over Excel or a web page in Chrome, but not the application. "Move Mouse to Image"??? I need to investigate that. Thank you.

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi,

Is there an update on this? I am doing the same with generalledger too. PDA COULDN'T recognize any elements (Button, Text, Label) on my Web application except the full window.
I tried "Move Mouse to Image" too, but this does NOT work when I need to select a menu, then sub-menu inside the window.

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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PAD couldn't recognize controls on my Web Application, which I'm not sure written by which language, and which is running on IE, gosh.
I configured the IE to Security > Enable Protected Mode = OFF as Microsoft guideline. However, inside the Flow Designer > Tool > Browser Extensions > I don't see the IE extension listed at all. I wonder if I missed something for "IE extension".

Nevertheless, I think my Web Application prevents PAD to detect controls. It is the way the Web Application designed. If so, I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel at all.

I'm thinking about "using images" in this case but it is definitely odd and never recommended.

Please give me some ideas?

Thank you very much,
Mien.

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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I have a similar problem with an internal web app. I cannot see the red frames for adding UI elements anymore. I guess the app blocks it and I don't know how to solve this.

For the ones who need a workaround, I suggest to get the elements directly from Developer Tools on your browser and add them to PAD manually as CSS or jQuery selectors. That works very well for me but it is missing the thumbnail pictures on UI elements (thumbnails are super handy)

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CN_IwantYouKnow 5 on at

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i have the same problem in another computer,it makes me so angry!

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CN_IwantYouKnow 5 on at

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I cant not add UI element in any app at my computer（win10）except the desktop Interface or some apps from origin operating system，i do not know why。

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Charlie123 2 on at

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I am having the same problem. Why hasn't there been any response? Radio silence. The weird thing it works in Chrome and IE but not Edge! Surely there is a setting within Edge that can be reconfigured.

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