Viewing Object Properties Using the Object Spy

Using the Object Spy, you can view the properties of any object in an open application. You use the Object Spy pointer to point to an object. The Object Spy displays the selected object's hierarchy tree and its properties and values in the Properties tab of the Object Spy dialog box.

To view object properties:

1. Open your browser or application to the page containing the object on which you want to spy.
2. Choose Tools > Object Spy or click the Object Spy toolbar button to open the Object Spy dialog box and display the Properties tab. Alternatively, click the Object Spy button from the Object Repository dialog box.
3. In the Object Spy dialog box, click the pointing hand . Both QuickTest and the Object Spy are minimized so that you can point to and click on any object in the open application.

Note: If the window on which you want to spy is partially hidden by another window, hold the pointing hand over the partially hidden window for a few seconds. The window comes into the foreground. You can now point and click on the object you want. You can configure the length of time required to bring a window into the foreground in the General tab of the Options dialog box. You can also hold the left Ctrl key to change the window focus. Additionally, if the window containing the object you want to select is minimized, you can display it by holding the left Ctrl key, right-clicking the application in the Windows task bar, and choosing Restore from the context menu.

4. If the object on which you want to spy can be displayed only by performing an event (such as a right-click or a mouse-over to display a context menu), hold the left Ctrl key. The pointing hand temporarily turns into a standard arrow and you can perform the event. When the object on which you want to spy is displayed, release the left Ctrl key. The arrow becomes a pointing hand again.
5. Click the object for which you want to view properties. The Object Spy returns to focus and displays the object hierarchy tree and the properties of the object that is selected within the tree.

Tip: You can resize the Object Spy dialog box. This is useful if you have a deep hierarchy, or long property names and values, enabling you view all the information without scrolling.

6. To view the properties of the test object, click the Test Object Properties radio button. To view the properties of the run-time object, click the Run-time Object Properties radio button.

Tips: In a function, you can use the Object property to retrieve the values of the run-time properties displayed in the Object Spy

In a function, you can also use the GetTOProperty and SetTOProperty methods to retrieve and set the value of test object properties for test objects. You can use the GetROProperty to retrieve the current property value of the objects in your application during the run session. .

7. If you want to view properties for another object within the displayed tree, click the object in the tree.
8. If you want to copy an object property or value to the Clipboard, click the property or value. The value is displayed in the selected property/value box. Highlight the text in the selected property/value box and use Ctrl + C to copy the text to the Clipboard or right-click the highlighted text and choose Copy from the menu.