Recorded actions dont work

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Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

I recorded some desktop actions:

1. Open new tab (chrome)

2. Go to URL

3. Type something in a search textbox

When I reproduce it, I get the error below immediately.

Any idea?

Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Robin.SDK.ActionException: Click failed (failed to get window) ---> Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.Exceptions.WindowNotFoundException: Exception of type 'Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.Exceptions.WindowNotFoundException' was thrown.
at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.UIAutomationActionsDispatcher.FindWindow(Variant windowSelector, Guid windowId)
at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.UIAutomationActionsDispatcher.ClickElementInWindow(Variant windowSelector, Variant controlSelector, Variant offsetX, Variant offsetY, Guid windowId, Int32 clickType, Int32 elementRectangleSubsector, Int32 automationImpl)
at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.ClickElementInWindow.Execute(ActionContext context)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.UIAutomation.Actions.ClickElementInWindow.Execute(ActionContext context)
at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Robin.Engine.ActionRunner.RunAction(String action, Dictionary`2 inputArguments, Dictionary`2 outputArguments, IActionStatement statement)

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Power Automate Desktop

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Henrik_M 2,021 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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Don't use the recorders. They are garbage.
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hello @Anonymous

Please use "Web recorder" instead of "Desktop recorder".
Also please use actions under "Web automation" category instead of actions under "UI automation" category.

Thank you.
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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I cant, basically the extensions have to go through a very long approval process in my company.
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hello @Anonymous

Oh, I see.

In your error message, it says "failed to get window" and "WindowNotFoundException". I suppose the name of your web browser window was changed after PAD captured UI elements while in the desktop recorder session.

Close all web browser tabs and windows, and then retry the desktop recorder session again.

Thank you.
MichaelAnnis 5,727 Moderator on at

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Use Send Keys {Control}(l) 'that's a lowercase L, it will take you to the address bar with everything highlighted.
JamesP_MSFT Microsoft Employee on at

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Hello, @Anonymous.
Please note that Web automation (Actions and thus the recorder) require the installation of the appropriate extension on the browser of your choice.
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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ok, but if I use the desktop recorder to open the browser and type something, isnt it the same result? or its just not supported?
JamesP_MSFT Microsoft Employee on at

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Desktop recorder is used for desktop applications.
Web recorder is used for browser (web pages) automation.
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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hello @Anonymous

Have you ever tried Internet Explorer or built-in Automation Browser to access to web sites?
As far as I know, these browsers do not need extension to be installed to automate them.

You can find more information about browsers in document below:
Using browsers and managing extensions - Power Automate | Microsoft Docs

Thank you.