UI automation attributes

The following is a list of the attributes returned by the Windows spy tool in UI Automation mode. For a list of attributes returned by other modes, see:

The attributes described in this page broadly correspond to the UIAutomation element properties described on MSDN's Automation Element Information page.

Application Attributes

A common attribute which can be used to identify which element, of a number of matching elements, to identify.

Used by the target application to indicate a key combination which can invoke the element, eg. Ctrl + N may be specified to indicate that you can invoke the element by holding the control key and pressing N.

A character in the text of a menu, menu item or label of a control that activates the attached function. For example, the latter "O" is often used to invoke the Open file dialog box from a File menu.

When available, the Automation Id of an element is expected to be the same in any instance of the application regardless of the local language.

The class name assigned to the element by the control developer.

A description of the control type, such as "Button". The control type of an element is expected to be the same in any instance of the application regardless of the local language.

Indicates whether the element is enabled (True) or not (False).

True if the element currently has keyboard focus; False if it does not.

The height of the element in pixels

The help text associated with the element

A description of the status of an item within an element.

A localized description of the type of an item.

The Automation Id of the element that contains the text label for this element.

A localized description of the control type, such as "button". The localized control type for an instance of an application will be in the local language.

The name of the element. This is often used by interface developers to hold a value intrinsic to the element.

True if the element is completely scrolled or collapsed out of view. If the element has a clickable point that can cause it to be focused, it is considered to be onscreen even when a portion of the element is off screen.

Only relevant for certain element types. This indicates the orientation of the element – None, Horizontal or Vertical.

True if the element contains protected content; False otherwise.

The process id of the process from which this element was identified.

True if this element is indicated as being required to be filled out on a form; False if there is no such indication.

The Automation Id of the top level window that hosts this element.

The width of the element in pixels

The X co-ordinate of the element, relative to the origin of the screen.

The Y co-ordinate of the element, relative to the origin of the screen.