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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Find the elements on the application screen

Use the locators of the captured elements to find the elements on the application screen while using the Universal App Connector (UAC) in the RPA Desktop Design Studio.

Before you begin

Familiarize yourself with UAC concepts. For more information, see Universal app connector.

Configure the UAC. For more information, see Use the Universal App Connector.

Verify that you have open or active Windows, Java, Google Chrome, or Edge applications.

Role required: None

About this task

The UAC provides multiple locator types. For example, the XPath locator provides the XPath to the element.

Image omitted: uac-connector-element-attributes.png
Element locators.

Procedure

  1. In the Toolbox pane, navigate to Connectors, and drag Universal App Connector to Global Objects in the Project Explorer pane.

    The connector is added as a UniversalApplication object under Global Objects.

  2. Configure Universal App Connector and add a screen.

    For more information, see Use the Universal App Connector.

  3. Under the Screens and elements pane, select an element under a screen.

  4. From the Locator list, select one of the element locators.

Locator typeApplication typeDescription
IdWeb, Java, and WindowsUnique identifier of the element if its defined in the target application.
NameWeb, Java, and WindowsUnique name of the element if its defined in the target application.
CssSelectorWebThe CSS selector that locates the captured web element. For example, `div#navbarNav > ul > li > a`. If a web application supports Shadow DOM, the CSS Selector shows the path with the shadow DOM elements. For example, `html > body > shop-app > /ShadowDom/ > app-header[id="header"] > app-toolbar > div:nth-of-type(3) > a > paper-icon-button > /ShadowDom/ > iron-icon[id="icon"]`
TagNameWebUnique tag name of the web element.
JavaScriptWebAllows the user to define a custom JavaScript code to locate an element.
XPathWebXPath to locate the web element. If a web application supports Shadow DOM, this locator shows the full XPath with the Shadow DOM elements. For example, `html > body > shop-app > /ShadowDom/ > iron-pages > shop-home > /ShadowDom/ > div > h2`.
TypeJava and WindowsEnables you to locate a screen element by its type. For example, button or text box.When you select the Type locator, the UAC connector populates the Value field with the type of the element.
PathJava and WindowsEnables you to locate a screen element by specifying its position in the hierarchy of screen elements.When you select the Path locator, the UAC connector populates the Value field with the path of the element.
CustomPathWindowsEnables you to fine-tune or trim the path to an element.

Parent Topic:Universal app connector