Looking for IT automation product which can significantly reduce Level 1 and 2 IT tasks in matter of seconds and make sure your critical applications are always online.Well you are at the right place!! Here we compare the best of Automation products available in the market . Automate 10 Enterprise which is an update over Automate 9 has been kept out of the comparison since it has been launched very recently . The update makes a very popular product into almost unbeatable product in this very competitive category .Same is the case with another product IPSoft `s IPCenter. IPSoft did innovate early in this segment and has the complete suite from Virtual support perspective for Data center Automation.I have not been able to test the product yet, and therefore IPSoft has been kept out at the moment.Hopefully I`l able to update the blog with these products as well.
A table says more than a thousand words… – right? Well, there are more than a thousand words in this one!. All Automation tools can cater to most support scenarios but the solution with least amount of workarounds is the best solution. Le me give you an answer straight away- the best automation tool to eliminate level 1 and level 2 tasks for enterprise is AutoMate 10 Enterprise version which scores way higher than any other automation tool as it can cater to almost all scenarios required including integration with monitoring systems ,incident tool and auto remediation with Zero failure.
| AutoMate9 | WinAutomation | RoboTask | Automation Anywhere | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required workarounds Total | 74 | 139 | 163 | 188 |
Before you look at the subsequent Action comparison tables, you should first understand the following 3 points if you are unfamiliar with modern Automation Systems:
1) The more specialized an Action is, the narrower is its functionality, ie the less flexible you are in using the Action (pure logic). Also, the more peculiar your goal is, the less likely that a specialized Action can help you achieve it. Often you will need to use a certain combination of more general Actions.
2) Each Action has a specific functionality. The fact that a specific Action isn’t offered in one or the other Automation System doesn’t mean that the functionality isn’t achievable, it’s just not (yet) offered as predefined (built-in) Action. Often, a certain combination of more general Actions can help you achieve the desired functionality (possibly better than a predefined, built-in Action).
Example for both points: The If, Loop, Replace Text, Read Text from File, and Write Text to File Actions are verygeneral Actions with functionality that is not only useful but needed for the majority of Automation situations. Using primarily those general Actions in WinAutomation, I was able to build a small tool that automaticallycreates, reads, manipulates, and writes XML files – long before I even heard of AutoMate 9that offers 16(!)specialized XML Actions (ie predefined, built-in), while WinAutomation offers none.
In order to be able to use AutoMate9‘s specialized XML Actions, you’ll need to understand the structure of XML files (which are plain text files) – just as well as you need to understand it when you use general Actions like I did. So, don’t you think that if you understand the structure of XML files, that you can build and manipulate one without using any of those 16 specialized XML Actions? Of course, you can!
Now with AutoMate9 and its 16 designated XML Actions, rebuilding this tool was of course quicker and easier. However, I also noticed that the mere existence of those specialized Actions limited my creativity: Seeing those predefined, built-in Actions, I felt confined to accomplish my goal with the functionality that those 16 Actions offered. – Don’t underestimate this psychological impact of the mere existence of specialized Actions.
3) The very purpose of modern Automation Systems is to allow the user to design an Automation foranything. Generally, all top Automation Systems allow you to do this. However, depending on your current goal, one System will be more suitable than the other, ie implementation will be easier and quicker. – Nonetheless,depending on your next goal, again a different Automation System may be more suitable.
| Crucial Actions * | AutoMate | WinAutomation | RoboTask | Automation Anywhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required workarounds here | 15 | 30 | 41 | 49 |
| User Interactions | ||||
| Send Keystrokes / Insert Keystrokes / Send Keystrokes / Send Keys | Send character(s) to window of active application | Send character(s) to window of active application | Send character(s) to window of active application (or ANY specified window) – can automatically block user input during this Action, can automatically release modifier key(s): Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Win-key; not AltGr | Send character(s) to window of active application (or specified window accessable during design-stage!) |
| Hold Down Key / Press/Release Key / Shift Keys State / – | Hold down modifier key(s): Alt, Ctrl, Shift, AltGr, Win-key | Press/ Release modifier key(s): Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Win-key (not AltGr) | Press/ Release modifier key(s): Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Win-key (not AltGr) | achieved with Insert Keystrokes Action above (but not Win-key) |
| Release Key / – / – / – | Release modifier key(s) | achieved withPress/Release KeyAction above | achieved with Shift Keys State Action above | achieved with Insert Keystrokes Action above |
| Press / – / – / Manage Windows Controls | Press specified button, page tab, link or column header on specified window (Note: allows native communication withstandard Windows’ control objects (only), hence is more reliable than Send Keystrokesand Click MouseActions, and works even when control objects have moved and when target application is in background) – often makes the system hang! | use Move Mouse to Image and Insert Keystrokes or Send Mouse Click Action (Note: WinAutomationoffers no Actions for native communication with standard Windows’ control objects (yet) – for applications other than Excel and text file access you have to use keystrokes and/or mouse clicks, and image recognition – and hence target application must be in foreground window/ focused) | achieved with Move to Object and Click Action – works reliably and recognizes any control immediately  | Press specified button, page tab, link or column header on specified window accessable during design-stage (Note: allows native communication withstandard Windows’ control objects (only), hence is more reliable than Insert Keystrokesand Insert Mouse ClickActions, and works even when control objects have moved and when target application is in background) – works only sometimes ie is unreliable |
| Check / – / – / – | Check, Uncheck, or Toggle checkbox or radio control | use Move Mouse to Image and Insert Keystrokes or Send Mouse Click Action (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | achieved with Move to Object and Click Action | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Move Mouse to Object / – / Move to Object / – | Move mouse pointer to center of specified Windows object or control | use Move Mouse to Image Action (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | Move mouse pointer to center of specified Windows object or control | use Image RecognitionAction |
| Move Mouse / Move Mouse / Move / Insert Mouse Move | Move mouse pointer to specified coordinates: relative to foreground window, screen, or current position | Move mouse pointer to specified coordinates: relative to foreground window, screen, or current position | Move mouse pointer to specified coordinates: relative to current position or to absolute coordinates on screen (only) | Move mouse pointerfrom specified source coordinates to specified target coordinates (must specify bothcoordinates!) |
| – / Move Mouse to Image / – / Image Recognition | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Move mouse pointer over (any position of) specified image on screen/ foreground window (and left-click it) – Note that you need not know and specify source image during design-stage (ie target image can beanywhere!) | use workaround | Send (left, right, or double) mouse click if target image (specified by file or screen capture during design-stage) is found in source image (specified by screen capture during design-stage) – Note that you need to know source image too! |
| Click Mouse / Send Mouse Click / Click / Insert Mouse Click | Click (once, double, hold down) or Release mouse button (left, center, or right) | Click (once, double, hold down) or Release mouse button (left or right only) – can first move mouse to specified coordinates and wait specified milliseconds | Click (once, double, hold down) or Release mouse button (left, center, or right) | Click (once, double, hold down) or Release mouse button (left, center, or right; on window accessable during design stage!) –must first move mouse to specified coordinates (relative to screen or window) |
| Block Input / Block Input / – / – | Block or Unblock user input from keyboard and mouse | Block or Unblock user input from keyboard and mouse | achieved with Send Keystrokes Action | use workaround (can block user input only for entire runtime of Automation via Task Properties!) |
| – / Display Message / Show Message/Play Sound / Message Box | achieved with DialogAction below | Display message box | Display message box (and play any .wav file; cannot be stopped if chosen) | Display message box |
| – / Display Input Dialog / Input Box / Prompt for Value | achieved with DialogAction below | Prompt user to enter text (single line, multi-line, or password) | Prompt user to enter text (single line or password) | Prompt user to enter text (single line or multi-line) |
| – / Display Select from List Dialog / – / – | achieved with DialogAction below | Prompt user to select from list | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / – / Question Dialog / Prompt for Yes/No | achieved with DialogAction below | achieved with Display Message Action above | Prompt user to answer Okay/Cancel or Yes/No to question in message box | Prompt user to answer Yes/No to question in message box |
| – / Display Select File Dialog / Open Dialog / Prompt for File | achieved with DialogAction below | Prompt user to select file(s) | Prompt user to select file(s) | Prompt user to select file(s) |
| – / Display Select Folder Dialog / Browse for Folders / Prompt for Folder | achieved with DialogAction below | Prompt user to select folder | Prompt user to select folder | Prompt user to select folder |
| – / Display Select Date Dialog / – / – | use workaround | Prompt user to enter date (and time) or range of dates (and time) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / – / Save Dialog / – | achieved with DialogAction below | use workaround | Prompt user to specify folder, filename and extension to save file | use workaround |
| Dialog / – / – / – | Display customized dialog to show or collect information: message box or input box (any screen position), selection box (dropdown, checkbox, radio button, or plain list), open file, save file, or browse for folder | achieved with 6 Actions above (however: fixed center screen position for all boxes, and no Checkbox and Radio button list; but: empty and multiple selection and new/additional user entry allowed, also in all dialogs can auto-select answer after specified seconds) | achieved with 7 Actions above (however: fixed center screen position for all boxes, and no Checkbox, Radio button, and plain list; but: in Question DialogAction can auto-select answer after specified seconds) | achieved with 5 Actions above (however: fixed screen position for all boxes, and no Checkbox, Radio button, and plain list) |
| Get Selected List Item / – / – / – | Get currently selected item(s) of list box or list view (also see Note in Press Action above) | use workaround (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | use workaround | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Get Selected Tree Item / – / – / – | Get currently selected item of tree view (also see Note in Press Action above) | use workaround (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | use workaround | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Select Item / – / – / – | Select item from list, tree, or combo box (also see Note in PressAction above) | use workaround (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | use workaround | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Get Text / – / – / – | Get text from control on window (also see Note in Press Action above) | use workaround (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | use workaround | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Set Text / – / – / – | Set text of control on window (also see Note in Press Action above) | use workaround (also see Note in cell 4 from top) | use workaround | achieved with Manage Windows ControlsAction above |
| Variables | ||||
| Create Variable / – / Create Variable / Variable Operation | Create new Variable – Note: All Variables areGlobal by default (.exe Automations cannot be created); to restrict a Variable to the current Automation execution only, mark it as PrivateVariable – also note that Variables must be created before they can be used, and they arenot automatically assigned sensible default names! | achieved with Set Variable Action below – Note: In line with possibility to create .exe Automations, all Variables are Local by default; to use GlobalVariables, select inVariables Manager the option Variable is persistent – also note that Variables are created (and deleted) dynamically (ie automatically), and are automatically assigned sensible default names! | Create new Variable – Note: All Variables areGlobal by default (.exe Automations cannot be created); to restrict a Variable to the current Automation execution only, either create it inLocal Variables tab ofTask Editor, or useRemove Variable Action at end of Automation – also note that Variables are created (but never deleted) dynamically (so to use Set VariableAction is not actually necessary), however there is no automatic naming! | Create new Variable – Note: In line with possibility to create .exe Automations, all Variables are Local by default; to use GlobalVariables, select inVariable Manager the option Read from text file – also note that Variables must be created before they can be used, and there isno automatic naming! |
| Set Variable / Set Variable / Set Variable / Variable Operation | Set value of Variable created earlier | Set value of new or existing Variable | Set value of new or existing Variable | Set value of Variable created earlier |
| – / – / Evaluate / – | achieved with Set Variable Action above (Expression Builderallows use of any mathematical and other functions, incl. BASIC functions) | partly achieved withSet Variable Action above – however, no functions (BASIC or other) in WinAutomation! | Perform calculation and assign result to specified Variable (can use BASIC functions too) | partly achieved withVariable OperationAction above – however, no functions (BASIC or other) in Automation Anywhere! |
| Increment Variable / Increase Variable / Increment Variable / – | Increase Variable by specified amount | Increase Variable by specified amount | Increase Variable by specified amount | achieved with Variable Operation Action above |
| Decrement Variable / Decrease Variable / – / – | Decrease Variable by specified amount | Decrease Variable by specified amount | achieved withIncrement VariableAction above (set a negative value) | achieved with Variable Operation Action above |
| – / Generate Random Number / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Generate random number(s) between minimum and maximum value (can allow duplicates) | achieved with System Variable: RandomValue | achieved with Variable Manager by creating a Variable of typeRandom and selectingRandom Number (from – to) |
| Generate Password / Create Random Text / – / – | Generate random Text string of specified length (eg to create password) | Generate random Text string of specified length (range), using specified characters at random | achieved with Unique File Name Action (ie cannot set any properties other than specified mask!) | achieved with Variable Manager by creating a Variable of typeRandom and selectingRandom String (string length) |
| – / Get Items Count / – / – | achieved via Variable properties | Retrieve number of items of List or number of rows of Datatable (also achieved via Variable properties) | use workaround (loop list and count items) | use workaround (loop list and count items) |
| Create Array / Create New List / Delimit Variable / – | Create empty Array (1-dimensional ie List, or 2-dimensional ieDatatable) | Create empty List (1-dimensional only,Datatable can only be imported!) | Turn any Text string with ANY delimiter into standard comma-delimited Text (Note that List Variable actually is comma-delimited Text string!)– can also use Create Variable Action above; can also use Options: Variables to createGlobal Variable, orLocal Variables tab inTask Editor to createLocal Variable – Note:No Datatable Variable in RoboTask! | achieved with Variable Operation Action (or with Variable Manager) by creating Variable of type List – Note: No Datatable Variable in Automation Anywhere! |
| ReDim Array / – / – / – | Change size of existing Array | achieved with Add Item to List and Remove Item from List Actions below | achieved with Set Variable Action above (it does allow to resize List Variable, ie comma-delimited Text string) | use workaround (Variable OperationAction does not allow to resize List Variable!) |
| – / Add Item to List / – / – | achieved with ReDim Array Action above | Add new item of same type to List | achieved with Set Variable Action | use workaround |
| – / Remove Item from List / – / – | achieved with ReDim Array Action above | Remove item at specified index from List | achieved with Set Variable Action | use workaround |
| – / Sort List / Sort Text / – | achieved via Variable properties | Sort List items (by up to 3 properties) | Sort List items (ascending or descending; can ignore case) – Note that ListVariable actually iscomma-delimited Text string | use workaround |
| – / Remove Duplicates from List / – / – | use workaround | Ensure that each List item is unique (absolute, ie cannotconsider case-sensitivity – so use additionalChange Text CaseAction if needed) | use workaround | use workaround |
| Flow Control | ||||
| Goto / Go To / – / – | Continue execution at specified Label | Continue execution at specified Label | use workaround | use workaround |
| Label / Label / – / – | Mark start point of steps/ Actions by giving it name | Mark start point of steps/ Actions by giving it name | use workaround | use workaround |
| Start Task / Run Job / Start Task / Run Task | Execute another Automation from withinAutoMate (must waitfor it to complete; can pass information tocalled Automation) – Note: NO .exe anyway! | Execute another Automation from withinWinAutomation (simultaneously or waitfor it to complete;cannot pass information to called Automation) – Note: when compiled to .exe, this one will be integrated | Execute another Automation from withinRoboTask (simultaneously or waitfor it to complete; can pass information tocalled Automation) – Note: NO .exe anyway! | Execute another Automation from withinAutomation Anywhere (must wait for it to complete; cannot pass information to calledAutomation) – Note: when compiled to .exe, this one will be integrated |
| Stop Task / End Job / Stop Task / Stop Task | Stop execution of current Automation (successfully, aborted, or specified error code and text, ie can pass information to callingAutomation) | Stop execution of current Automation (successfully or with error information) and with exit code, ie can pass information tocalling Automation | Stop execution of any specified Automation (cannot pass information to callingAutomation) | Stop execution of current Automation (cannot pass information to callingAutomation) |
| Pause Task / Wait / Pause / Delay | Pause execution of current Automation and resume after or at specified time | Pause execution of current Automation and resume after specified number of seconds | Pause execution of current Automation and resume after specified number of milliseconds | Pause execution of current Automation and resume after specified number of seconds (or random from/to) |
| Wait for Window / Wait for Window / Wait for Window / Wait for Window | Wait for window (visible or hidden) to open, close, become focused, or lose focus (can specify additional object controls or text in window) | Wait for window (visible only) to open, close, become focused, or lose focus | Wait for window (visible, hidden, child, empty caption) to open, close, become focused, lose focus, or change caption (can wait specified time in seconds or infinitely) | Wait for window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) to open or close |
| Wait for Pixel / Wait for Image / – / Wait for Screen Change | Wait until color code of specified pixel(s) changes | Wait until specified image appears on screen or focused window | use workaround | Wait for screen change in specified area of window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage) |
| – / Get Job’s Path / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Retrieve full path of currently running Automation (within WinAutomation or of compiled .exe) | use workaround | use workaround |
| If / If / If Then / If Variable | Execute subsequent steps if specified condition(s) match | Execute subsequent steps if specified condition(s) match | Execute subsequent steps if specified condition matches (no nested conditions within one If ThenAction); compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean | Execute subsequent steps if specified condition matches (no nested conditions within one If VariableAction) |
| Else / Else / Else / Else | Execute subsequent steps if prior IF condition does not match | Execute subsequent steps if prior IF condition does not match | Execute subsequent steps if prior IF condition does not match | Execute subsequent steps if prior IF condition does not match |
| End If / End If / End If / End If | End of IF/ ELSE condition | End of IF/ ELSE condition | End of IF/ ELSE condition | End of IF/ ELSE condition |
| Loops | ||||
| Loop / Loop / Simple Loop / Loop Times | Loop through specified range or specified number of times | Loop through specified range | Loop through specified range | Loop specified number of times |
| Loop Expression / Loop Condition / While Loop / Loop Condition | Loop while or until specified expression is true | Loop while specified expression is true | Loop while specified expression is true (compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean) | Loop while specified expression is true |
| Break / Exit Loop / Break / Exit Loop | Break out of current Loop | Break out of current Loop | Break out of current Loop | Break out of current Loop |
| End Loop / End Loop / End Loop / End Loop | End current Loop | End current Loop | End current Loop | End current Loop |
| Text | ||||
| – / Get Text Length / – / String Operation: Length | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Get length (in characters) of specified text (also achieved via Variable properties) | achieved with System Variable: StrLength | Get length (in characters) of specified text |
| Get Sub Text / Get Subtext / STR Extract / String Operation: Sub String | Get subtext from specified source text (specified number of characters from specified start position) | Get subtext from specified source text (from start or specified position, to end or specified number of characters) | Get subtext from specified source text (specified number of characters from specified start position) | Get subtext from specified source text (specified number of characters from specified start position) |
| – / – / STR Between / String Operation: Before/After | achieved more precisely with Find Text Action (using Regex) – Note: Regex allows you to extract (or replace) ANY text | achieved more precisely with Parse Text Action (using Regex) – Note: Regex allows you to extract (or replace) ANY text | Get subtext from specified source text (all characters between specified before andafter string, from specified start position) – alternatively, achieved more precisely with RegExp LoopAction below | Get subtext from specified source text (specified number of characters between specified before andafter string) – Note: you are limited to this Action, ie you CANNOT use Regex! |
| Insert Text / Append Line to Text / STR Insert / – | Insert ANY specified characters (at beginning, end, or specified position) into specified source text | Insert new line (only!) of specified text at end(only!) into specified source text | Insert ANY specified characters at specified position into specified source text | use Variable OperationAction |
| – / – / STR Delete / – | use Get Sub Text andReplace Text Action But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use Get Subtext andReplace Text Action | Delete specified number of characters from specified position in specified source text | use String Operation: Sub String and String Operation: ReplaceAction |
| Trim Text / Trim Text / STR Trim / String Operation: Trim | Remove ANY specified characters from beginning and/or end of specified source text | Remove all whitespace characters (eg space, tab, new line) from beginning and/or end of specified source text | Remove ANY specified characters from beginning and/or end of specified source text | Remove all whitespace characters (eg space, tab, new line) from beginning and/or end of specified source text |
| Convert Case / Change Text Case / – / String Operation: Upper Case OR String Operation: Lower Case | Convert specified text to upper or lower case | Convert specified text to upper, lower, title, or sentence case | achieved with System Variable: LowerCase/ UpperCase | Convert specified text to upper case or lower case (two separate Actions) |
| – / Convert Text to Number / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Convert (input) Text representation of number to its numerical equivalent | achieved via mandatory selection to compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean | use workaround |
| – / Convert Number to Text / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Convert number to (output) Text, using specified format | achieved via mandatory selection to compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean | use workaround |
| Format Date Time / Convert DateTime to Text / – / – | Convert current or specified Datetime value to Text, using one of the GIVEN formats | Convert specified Datetime value to Text, using ANY specified format | achieved via mandatory selection to compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean | use workaround |
| – / Convert Text to DateTime / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Convert specified Text (ANY specified format) to Datetime value | achieved via mandatory selection to compare values as Text, Number, Datetime, or Boolean | use workaround |
| – / Join Text / – / String Operation: Join | use Loop Array Action and Set Variable Action (to loop through List and extract its items to build Text string) But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Convert List to Text value by combining its items with ANY specified delimiter | achieved with RegExpr Loop Action (ie can use ANY specified delimiter), because ListVariable is comma-delimited Text string anyway! | Convert List to Text value by combining its items with ANY specified delimiter |
| – / Split Text / – / String Operation: Split | achieved with Find Text Action (using Regex; can use ANY specified delimiter) | Convert Text value to List, using ANY specified delimiter (incl. Regex) | achieved with RegExpr Loop Action below (ie can use ANY specified delimiter) – Note thatList Variable is comma-delimited Text string! | Convert Text value to List, using ANY specified delimiter (NO Regex!) |
| Find Text / Parse Text / STR Pos / String Operation: Find | Find ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text (from specified start position, case-sensitive, can use Regex!) | Find FIRST OR ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text (from specified start position, can ignore case, can use Regex!) | Find FIRST occurrence (only) of specified text in specified source text (from specified start position, can ignore case, can use Regex!) – Note: RegExp LoopAction below is more powerful | Find FIRST occurrence (only) of specified text in specified source text (from specified start position, can ignore case, but CANNOT use Regex!) |
| – / – / RegExp Loop / – | partly achieved withFind Text Action | partly achieved withParse Text Action | Find ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text or text file, and save all found expressions and all subexpressions (and their positions and lengths) as Lists (ie comma-delimited Text strings) – Note: This Action offers a very convenient way of using Regex – you simply tick desired options (this should suit all those who find using Regex too complicated, incl.Automation Anywheresoftware designers  | use workaround – Note: CANNOT use Regex in Automation Anywhere! |
| Replace Text / Replace Text / STR Replace / String Operation: Replace | Replace ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text with specified replacement text (from start position, maximum number of times, can ignore case, can use Regex!) | Replace ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text with specified replacement text (can ignore case, can use Regex!) | Replace first, last, or alloccurrence(s) of specified text in specified source text with specified replacement text (can ignore case) – Note:RegExp Replace Action further below is more powerful | Replace ALL (or specified number of) occurrences of specified text in specified source text (from specified start position) with specified replacement text (can ignore case, but CANNOT use Regex!) |
| – / – / RegExp Replace / – | partly achieved withReplace Text Action | partly achieved withReplace Text Action | Replace ALL occurrences of specified text in specified source text or text file with specified replacement text (and save number of replacements made; can use found subexpressions in replacement text! – Note: Again, this Action is very convenient – you simply tick desired options! | use workaround – Note: CANNOT use Regex in Automation Anywhere! |
| – / – / RegExp Match / – | use workaround | use workaround | Check if specified text exists in specified source text or text file (and save first or last found expression and all its subexpressions as Lists (ie comma-delimited Text strings) – Note: Again, this Action is very convenient – you simply tick desired options! | use workaround |
| File management | ||||
| Get File(s) Information / Get Files in Folder / Search for Files / – | Get ALL Windows file (and folder) information from specified file/s (and (sub)folders) matching specified conditions (exclude mask, all Windows file attributes) | Retrieve List of files in specified folder (and subfolders; can filter and sort by up to 3 file properties) | Create List of ANY filesor folders (ie across different folders(!) – and their subfolders, if ticked) that match specified condition: newer/older than (or between specified dates), and save List as specified text file – can exclude path information, can insert specified text beforeList and/or after List, can insert specified text before each line and/or after each line | achieved via Variable Manager: System Variables |
| – / – / Get FilePath Part / | achieved with Get File(s) InformationAction above | Retrieve part(s) of specified file path (root path, folder, filename, filename without extension, extension) | achieved with System Variables | achieved via Variable Manager: System Variables |
| Copy File / Copy File(s) / Copy/Move File / Copy Files | Copy file(s)/ folder(s) in specified source folder (and subfolders) to specified target folder if they match specified conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | Copy file(s) in specified source folder to specified target folder – Note: Can first use Get Files in Folder Action to populate Variable with more specific file list | Copy any specified file(s), ie across different folders(!) – and their subfolders (if ticked) – to specified target folder (can process hidden and system files too) – Note: Can first useSystem Variables to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Copy file(s) in specified source folder to specified target folder if they match specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| Move File / Move File(s) / Copy/Move File / – | Move file(s) from specified source folder (and subfolders) to specified target folder if they match specified conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | Move file(s) from specified source folder to specified target folder – Note: Can first use Get Files in FolderAction to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Move any specified file(s), ie across different folders(!) – and their subfolders (if ticked) – to specified target folder (can process hidden and system files too) – Note: Can first useSystem Variables to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | use Copy Files Action (to target folder) andDelete Files Action (in source folder) – Note:Cannot first use System Variables to populate Variable with more specific file list, since System Variables arevery limited (eg file attributes are notaccessable)! |
| Delete File / Delete File(s) / Delete File / Delete Files | Delete file(s) in specified folder (and subfolders) that match specified conditions: exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes (and send to Recycle Bin) | Delete file(s) in specified folder – Note: Can first use Get Files in Folder Action to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Delete any specified file(s), ie across different folders(!) – and their subfolders (if ticked) – Note: Can process hidden and system files too, can send to Recycle Bin, and can first useSystem Variables to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Delete file(s) in specified folder if they match specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| Rename File / Rename File(s) / Rename File / Rename Files | Rename file(s) in specified folder (and subfolders) that match specified conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | Rename file(s) in specified folder, using one of 7 (very convenient!) Rename schemes – Note: Can first use Get Files in Folder Action to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Rename any specified file(s), ie across different folders(!) – and their subfolders (if ticked) – Note: Can first use System Variables to populate Variable with more specific file list, considering file attributes too | Rename file(s) in specified folder if they match specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| Read from File / Read Text from File / Text Loop / Read from CSV/Text | Read specified file (any text file) – specified number of bytes, from specified position, as single Text value | Read specified file (any text file) as single Text value or as List of Text values | Read specified file (any text file) as List of Text values (only) – to read text file as single Text value use System Variable: TextFile | Read specified file (.txt only) as List of Text values delimited by anyspecified character, OR Read specified file (.csv) as List of Text values delimited by comma or tab – (Note: to read as single Text value use Variable Manager: Add Variable – Create from Text File– as single Text valueor as List of Text values) |
| Write to File / Write Text to File / Write Text File / – | Write specified text to specified file (append at end or overwrite) | Write specified text to specified file (append at end or overwrite) | Write specified text to specified file (append at end or overwrite; can suppress trailing End-of-Line characters) | use workaround (no Action for this?!?) |
| Folder management | ||||
| – / Get Subfolders in Folder / – / – | achieved with Get File(s) InformationAction | Retrieve List of folders in specified folder (and subfolders; can sort by up to 3 file object criteria) | achieved with Search for Files Action (usingFolders only andRecurse to subfolders) | use workaround |
| Create Folder / Create Folder / Create Folder / Create Folder | Create specified folder (and missing parent folders) in specified parent folder | Create specified folder in specified parent folder | Create specified folder in specified parent folder | Create specified folder in specified parent folder |
| Remove Folder / Delete Folder / Remove Folder / Delete Folder | Delete specified folder (and all files and subfolders) and send to Recycle Bin | Delete specified folder (and all files and subfolders) | Delete specified folder (if it is not empty) and all files and subfolders | Delete specified folder (and all files and subfolders matching specified conditions: size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| – / Copy Folder / – / Copy Folder | use Create Folder andCopy File Action (works for subfolders too) But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Copy specified source folder into specified target folder | use Create Folder andCopy/Move File Action (works for subfolders too) | Copy specified source folder into specified target folder if it matches specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| – / Move Folder / – / – | use Create Folder, Copy File, and Remove Folder Action But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Move specified source folder into specified target folder | use Create Folder,Copy/Move File, andRemove Folder Action | use Create Folder, Copy Files, and Delete FolderAction |
| Rename Folder / Rename Folder / Rename Folder / Rename Folder | Rename specified folder | Rename specified folder | Rename specified folder | Rename specified folder if it matches specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) |
| Excel | ||||
| Open Workbook / Launch Excel / – / Open Spreadsheet | Open specified Excel workbook (visible or invisible) | Open specified Excel workbook or launch new workbook (visible or invisible) | use Run Program/Open Document Action – Note: RoboTask offers no Actions for native communication with Excel (yet), ie Excel (like other applications too) must be in active/foreground window! | Open specified Excel workbook (visible only); can load “Add-ins” and worksheet specified by name |
| Create Workbook / – / – / – | Create Excel workbook (from template), visible or invisible | achieved with Launch Excel Action above | use Send KeystrokesAction (also see Note above) | use Send Keys Action |
| Close Workbook / Close Excel / – / Close Spreadsheet OR Save Spreadsheet | Close specified Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible), and save it (or don’t save) | Close specified Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible), and save it (or don’t save) | use Send KeystrokesAction (also see Note above) | Close specified Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only), and save it (or don’t save) – two separate Actions (but same functionality!) |
| Activate Worksheet / Set Active Worksheet / – / Activate Sheet | Activate worksheet (specified by name or index) in Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | Activate worksheet (specified by name or index) in Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use Send KeystrokesAction (also see Note above) | Activate worksheet (specified by name or index) in Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only) |
| Add Worksheet / Add New Worksheet / – / – | Add new worksheet (any type; as last or before active one) to Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | Add new worksheet (as first or last) to Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use Send KeystrokesAction (also see Note above) | use workaround |
| Delete Worksheet / Delete Worksheet / – / Delete Worksheet | use Send KeystrokesAction But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use Insert KeystrokesAction | use Send KeystrokesAction (also see Note above) | use Send Keys Action |
| – / Get First Free Column/Row / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Get first free column and/or row of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use workaround | use workaround |
| Cells to Dataset / Read from Excel / – / Get Cells | Read values of specified cell/s (of active or any other worksheet) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible), and save as Datatable | Read values of specified cell(s) of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible), and save as Datatable | use Send Keystrokes orClipboard Actions (also see Note above) | Read value(s) of active cell or specified cell(s) of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only), and save single cell in User-defined Variable, or multiple cells/all cells in System Variable asList (must use in Loop to retrieve entire Datatable!) |
| Set Cell OR Dataset to Cells / Write to Excel / – / Set Cell | Write value (or write values of specified Datatable; two separate Actions) to specified cell/s (of active or any other worksheet) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | Write values of specified Datatable to specified cells of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use Send Keystrokes orClipboard Actions (also see Note above) | Write value of specified Variable to active or specified cell (one only) of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only) |
| Insert Column/Row / Insert Column/Row / – / Insert Column/Row | use Send KeystrokesAction But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use Insert KeystrokesAction – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use Send KeystrokesAction – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use Send Keys Action |
| Delete Column/Row / Delete Column/Row / – / Delete Cells | use Send KeystrokesAction But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use Insert KeystrokesAction – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use Send KeystrokesAction – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Delete active or specified cell (and shift cells left or up, or delete entire row or column) |
| Clipboard | ||||
| Get Clipboard / Get Clipboard Text / Get Text / Assign from Clipboard | Retrieve clipboard content as Text into a Variable | Retrieve clipboard content as Text into a Variable | Retrieve clipboard content as Text into a Variable | Retrieve clipboard content as Text into a Variable |
| Set Clipboard / Set Clipboard Text / Put Text / Assign to Clipboard | Send specified Text to clipboard | Send specified Text to clipboard | Send specified Text to clipboard | Send specified Text to clipboard |
| Multimedia | ||||
| Play Audio / Play Sound / Show Message/Play Sound / Play Beep/Play Media File | Play specified system sound or audio file/s (wav or mp3) – Note that Automation execution continuesduring playback (ie audio can be used as soundtrack during Automation execution), and playback can be stopped by sending another Play AudioAction with stopcommand | Play specified system sound or audio file (wav only!) – Note that Automation executionpauses during playback (ie with this Action audio cannot be used as soundtrack during Automation execution), and playback cannot be stopped! – Use Run Application andTerminate ProcessAction instead | Play specified system sound or audio file (wav only!) when showing message (only) – Note that Automation executioncontinues during playback (ie audio can be used as soundtrack during Automation execution), however playback cannot be stopped! – Use Run Program/Open Document andTerminate ProcessAction instead | Play beep (?!?) or specified audio file (wav or mp3) – Note that Automation execution pausesduring playback (ie with this Action audiocannot be used as soundtrack during Automation execution), and playback cannot be stopped! – Use Open Program/File Action instead (and another workaround to stop playback) |
| System | ||||
| – DateTime | ||||
| – / Get Current Date and Time / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Get current date or date and time | achieved with System Variable: DateTime | achieved with Variable Manager: System Variables |
| – Processes | ||||
| Run / Run Application / Run Program/Open Document OR Run Program as User / Open File/Open Program/File | Run specified (Windows or Console) application (or open specified document associated with application) in normal, minimized, maximized, or hidden window (and wait for it to load, to end, or continue immediately), and return specified process information) | Run specified Windows application (or open specified document associated with application) in normal, minimized, maximized, or hidden window (and wait for it to load, to end, or continue immediately), and return process ID | Run specified Windows application (or open specified document associated with application) in normal, minimized, maximized, or hidden window (and wait for it to load, to end, or continue immediately) – alternatively, can run program with rights of another user (two separate Actions) | Run specified Windows application, or open specified document associated with application (two separate Actions, but better use Open Program/File Action) |
| – / Run DOS Command / – / – | achieved with RunAction above | Execute specified DOS command or console application in invisible mode, and retrieve its output, error and exit code | use workaround | use workaround |
| End Process / Terminate Process / Terminate Process / – | Forcibly end process(es)/ application(s), specified by name or ID | Forcibly end process/ application, specified by name or ID | Forcibly end process/ application, specified by name (if several processes match specified name, terminate oldest, newest, or all) | use workaround |
| Print / Print Document / Print Document / Print File/Print Multiple Files | Print specified file on default printer, on any other specified printer, or on all accessable printers | Print specified file on default printer | Print any specified file(s), ie across different folders(!), on default printer | Print specified file(s) on default printer if they match specified conditions (size, newer/older than modified/created date) – two separate Actions |
| – Services | ||||
| Services / – / – / – | Manipulate specified Windows Service/ Device (start, stop, pause, resume, get state, list, install, or uninstall) on local or specified remote system | partly achieved with 4 Actions below | partly achieved with 2 Actions below | partly achieved with 5 Actions below |
| – / Start Service / Start Service / Start Service | achieved with ServicesAction above | Start specified Windows Service/ Device | Start specified Windows Service/ Device (can pass parameters, can wait for it to actually start) | Start specified Windows Service/ Device |
| – / Pause Service / – / Pause Service | achieved with ServicesAction above | Pause specified Windows Service/ Device | use workaround | Pause specified Windows Service/ Device |
| – / Stop Service / Stop Service / Stop Service | achieved with ServicesAction above | Stop specified Windows Service/ Device | Stop specified Windows Service/ Device (can retrieve parameters, can wait for it to actually stop) | Stop specified Windows Service/ Device |
| – / Resume Service / – / Resume Service | achieved with ServicesAction above | Resume specified Windows Service/ Device | use workaround | Resume specified Windows Service/ Device |
| – / – / – / Get Service Status | achieved with ServicesAction above | use workaround | use workaround | Save current status of specified Windows Service/Device in Variable |
| – Window | ||||
| – / Get Foreground Window / – / Get Active Window Title | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Retrieve title and handle of currently active (focused) window | achieved with System Variable: Current-Window-Caption(without hyphens) | Retrieve title of currently active (focused) window |
| Focus Window / Focus Window / – / Activate Window | Bring (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to front | Bring (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to front | achieved with Window Command Action below | Bring window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) to front |
| – / Set Window State / – / – | achieved with 3 Actions below | Restore, maximize, or minimize window (specified by title, class, or handle) | achieved with Window Command Action below | partly achieved with 2 Actions below |
| Maximize Window / – / – / Maximize Window | Resize (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to its maximized state | achieved with Set Window State Action above | achieved with Window Command Action below | Resize window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) to its maximized state |
| Minimize Window / – / – / Minimize Window | Resize (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to its minimized state | achieved with Set Window State Action above | achieved with Window Command Action below | Resize window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) to its minimized state |
| Restore Window / – / – / – | Restore (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to its normal state | achieved with Set Window State Action above | achieved with Window Command Action below | use workaround |
| – / Set Window Visibility / Window Command / – | achieved with 2 Actions below | Hide visible window or show hidden window (specified by title, class, or handle) | Focus, Maximize, Minimize, Restore, Close, Hide, or Unhide current window or window specified by title, class, or handle (can process hidden and/or child and/or allmatched windows) | use workaround |
| Hide Window / – / – / – | Hide visible window (specified by title, class, or handle) | achieved with Set Window Visibility Action above | achieved with Window Command Action above | see above |
| Unhide Window / – / – / – | Make hidden window (specified by title, class, or handle) visible | achieved with Set Window Visibility Action above | achieved with Window Command Action above | see above |
| Move Window / Move Window / – / – | Move (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to any specified screen position | Move (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to any specified screen position | use workaround | use workaround |
| Resize Window / Resize Window / – / Resize Window | Resize (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to any specified dimension | Resize (visible or hidden) window (specified by title, class, or handle) to any specified dimension | use workaround | Resize window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) to any specified dimension |
| Close Window / Close Window / – / Close Window | Close (visible or hidden) window (request or force) specified by title, class, or handle | Close (visible or hidden) window specified by title, class, or handle | achieved with Window Command Action above | Close window (selected from the windows open(!) during design-stage; visible only) |
| Connectivity | ||||
| – Web | ||||
| HTTP / Download from Web / Download File / Web Recorder: Download File | Perform Get, Put, Post, Delete, Head, Trace, or Options HTTP request, to download file or webpage at specified URL (and save file) – many options, incl. using FTP, HTTP, or SOCKS proxy – does not require browser | Perform Get or Post, to download file or webpage at specified URL (and save file) – many options, but not (yet) using proxy – does not require browser | Download file or webpage at specified URL (and save file) – can use FTP, HTTP, or SOCKS proxy (only option) – does not require browser | Download file or webpage at specified URL and save as specified file name –only Web Action that does not require browser, hence best corresponds to competitors’ Actions |
| Web Browser / – / – / Web Recorder: Open Browser | use specified web browser (and where possible, interact natively: only Firefox and IE): Open, Close, Get value, Set value, Wait, Click, Extract Table, Extract Source, Navigate, Create Session But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use Run ApplicationAction to open anybrowser, use Download from Web Action to extract source code, extract tables, etc | use Run Program/Open Document Action to open any browser, useDownload File Action to extract source code, extract tables, etc | Open browser (IE only!) with specified URL (and display webpage specified by title or URL) |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Close Browser | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use Send Keys Action (with Close command to browser) or useTerminate ProcessAction | use Send KeystrokesAction (with Close command to browser) or use Terminate Process Action | Close browser (IE only!) |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Navigate URL | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use Send Keys Action | use Send KeystrokesAction | Navigate to specified URL in already opened browser (IE only!) and display webpage specified by title or URL |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Extract Source | achieved with Web Browser Action above | achieved withDownload from WebAction above | achieved withDownload File Action above | Extract webpage source code of specified URL |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Extract Data | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Extract specified text from webpage at specified URL (page specified by title or URL; can specify beforeand after keyword) |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Extract Table | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Extract table (specified during design-stage) from webpage at specified URL (page specified by title or URL) and save results in specified csv file (can append to existing csv file) |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Manage Web Controls | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use workaround | use workaround | Select browser web control (IE only!, specified during design-stage) from webpage at specified URL (can search web control by caption, index, or tag attributes) |
| Send Email / Send Email / Send Email / Send Email | Create and send specified Email (ALL options, incl. Attachments, HTML, etc) using specified server | Create and send specified Email (mostoptions, incl. Attachments and HTML) using specified server | Create and send specified Email (mostoptions, incl. Attachments and HTML) using specified server | Create and send specified Email (mostoptions, incl. Attachments and HTML) using specified server |
| – / – / POP3 Open / – | achieved with Get Email Action below | use workaround | Connect to specified POP3 server (incl. SSL) | use workaround (also see Note below) |
| – / – / Check for Email / – | use workaround | use workaround | Check for new Email on specified POP3 server (can use SSL) | use workaround (also see Note below) |
| – / – / POP3 Messages Count / – | achieved with Get Email Action above | use workaround | Retrieve number of new messages and total size | use workaround (also see Note below) |
| Get Email / – / POP3 Mail Loop / – | Manage (Get all headers, Get messages, Get single message, Delete messages, or Delete single message) and download Emails from specified server (POP3, IMAP, or Exchange server; incl. SSL) | use workaround | Parse key parameters (Subject, From, To, CC, Date, and Size) of each Email message (specified by Order number) in loop without (yet) downloading entire messages from server (so that you can choose which ones to download) | use workaround (Note:Get Email Action(s) only available withIntegration Pack) |
| – / – / POP3 Download Email / – | achieved with Get Email Action above | use workaround | Download Email message (specified by Order number) and save as .eml file (and extract and save attachments) in specified folder | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Parse Email / – | use workaround | use workaround | Parse entire message of (downloaded) specified Email (EML) file to extract Subject, From, To, CC, Date, and Message, and extract Attachments to specified folder | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / POP3 Delete Email / – | achieved with Get Email Action above | use workaround | Delete Email message (specified by Order number) | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / POP3 Close / – | achieved with Get Email Action above | use workaround | Disconnect from POP3 Email server | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – Database | ||||
| Open SQL Connection/ Connect / – / – / | Connect to specified OLEDB database | achieved with Execute SQL Statement Action below | achieved with SQL Query Action below | Connect to specified OLEDB database |
| SQL Query / SQL Query / Execute SQL Statement/ SQL Query / | Send SQL query (or other statement) to OLEDB database | Connect to specified OLEDB database, send SQL query (or other statement), retrieve data, and disconnect | Connect to specified OLEDB database, send SQL query (or other statement), retrieve data, and disconnect | Select statements only |
| – / – / – / Insert/Update/Delete | achieved with SQL Query Action above | achieved with Execute SQL Statement Action above | achieved with SQL Query Action above | Insert, Update, andDelete statements only |
| Stored Procedure / – / – / Run Stored Procedure | Run or update specified Procedure stored on OLEDB database server (and output result to Datatable) | use workaround | use workaround | Run or update specified Procedure stored on OLEDB database server (and output result to csv file – remember, no Datatable Variable!) |
| Close SQL Connection/ Disconnect / – / – / | Close specified OLEDB database connection | achieved with Execute SQL Statement Action above | achieved with SQL Query Action above | Close specified OLEDB database connection |
| – FTP | ||||
| FTP / – / – / – | Perform ANY FTP activity (Log on, Log off, Upload, Download, Delete, Rename, Create Folder, Change Folder, Remove Folder, Synchronize Folder(s), FXP, Advanced – the latter allows you to achieve pretty muchany FTP functionality!) | achieved with 15 Actions below | partly achieved with 14 Actions below | partly achieved with 11 Actions below |
| – / Open FTP Connection / FTP Log on / Connect | achieved with FTPAction above | Connect to specified FTP server | Connect to specified FTP server | Connect to specified FTP server |
| – / Open Secure FTP Connection / – / – | achieved with FTPAction above | Connect securely to specified FTP server | use workaround | achieved with ConnectAction above |
| – / Close FTP Connection / FTP Log off / Disconnect | achieved with FTPAction above | Disconnect from specified FTP server | Disconnect from specified FTP server | Disconnect from specified FTP server |
| – / List FTP Directory / FTP PWD / – | achieved with FTPAction above | Retrieve List of files and List of subfolders of current folder on FTP server | Retrieve List of files and List of subfolders of current folder on FTP server | use workaround |
| – / – / FTP File Loop / – | achieved with FTPAction above | achieved with Invoke FTP Command Action below | Retrieve File name or File path, Size, and Last update time for List of files or List of folders in specified FTP folder (and subfolders) – can use include and exclude mask | use workaround |
| – / Change Working Directory / FTP Change Folder / Change Folder | achieved with FTPAction above | Change current folder on FTP server | Change current folder on FTP server | Change current folder on FTP server |
| – / – / FTP Transfer Type / – | achieved with FTPAction above | achieved in each FTP Action where relevant | Select transfer type binary or ASCII | achieved in each FTP Action where relevant |
| – / Download File(s) from FTP / FTP Download / Get Files | achieved with FTPAction above | Download file(s) from specified FTP file path(s) to specified local folder (transfer type can be auto too; can give files unique name) | Download specified file from current FTP folder to specified local folder (transfer type must have been set earlier using FTP Transfer Type Action) | Download file(s) from specified FTP file path to specified local folder (must select transfer type binary or ASCII) |
| – / Download Folder(s) from FTP / – / Get Folder | achieved with FTPAction above | Download folder(s) from specified FTP folder path(s) to specified local folder | achieved with FTP Command Action below | Download folder from specified FTP folder path to specified local folder |
| – / Upload File(s) to FTP / FTP Upload / Put Files | achieved with FTPAction above | Upload specified file(s) to current FTP folder (transfer type can be auto too; can give files unique name) | Upload specified file to specified FTP folder (transfer type must have been set earlier using FTP Transfer Type Action) | Upload specified file(s) to current FTP folder (must select transfer type binary or ASCII) |
| – / Upload Folder(s) to FTP / – / Put Folder | achieved with FTPAction above | Upload specified folder(s) to current FTP folder | achieved with FTP Command Action below | Upload specified folder to current FTP folder |
| – / Delete FTP File / FTP Delete File / Delete Files | achieved with FTPAction above | Delete specified file from FTP server | Delete specified file from FTP server | Delete specified file(s) from FTP server |
| – / Rename FTP File / FTP Rename File / Rename Files | achieved with FTPAction above | Rename specified file on FTP server | Rename specified file on FTP server | Rename specified file(s) on FTP server |
| – / Create FTP Directory / FTP Create Folder / Create Folder | achieved with FTPAction above | Create specified new folder (and missing parent folders) in current FTP folder | Create specified new folder in current FTP folder | Create specified new folder in current FTP folder |
| – / Delete FTP Directory / FTP Remove Folder / Delete Folder | achieved with FTPAction above | Delete specified folder (and all its files and subfolders) from FTP server | Delete specified folder (and all its files and subfolders) from FTP server | Delete specified folder (and all its files and subfolders) from FTP server |
| – / Synchronize FTP Directory / FTP Synchronization / – | achieved with FTPAction above | Synchronize files (and subfolders) of specified local folder to FTP folder or vice versa (can use include or exclude mask) | Synchronize files (and subfolders) of specified local folder to FTP folder or vice versa, or bidirectional (can use include and exclude mask, can also createexact copy of source folder) | use workaround |
| – / Invoke FTP Command / FTP Command / – | achieved with FTPAction above | Send ANY command to FTP server (and retrieve server reply code and reply text) | Send ANY command to FTP server | use workaround |
| Other Actions * | AutoMate | WinAutomation | RoboTask | Automation Anywhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required workarounds here | 59 | 109 | 122 | 139 |
| User Interactions | ||||
| – / Set Key State / – / – | use workaround | Toggle on/off: Caps Lock, Num Lock, Scroll Lock | achieved with Send Keystrokes Action above | achieved with Insert Keystrokes Action above |
| – / Get Mouse Position / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Retrieve current mouse pointer coordinates on screen/ foreground window | use workaround (Note: It is not necessary to know mouse pointer coordinates in order to move mouse to desired position) | use workaround (Note: It is not necessary to know mouse pointer coordinates in order to move mouse to desired position) |
| – / – / Browse for Computers / – | use workaround | use workaround | Prompt user to select computer on local network | use workaround |
| – / Display Notification / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Display specified message in inobtrusive semi-transparent message box during execution of Automation from withinWinAutomation (not in .exe) | use workaround | use workaround |
| Authenticate / – / – / – | Stop present Automation until user is authenticated (via log-on or password) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Variables | ||||
| Create Object / – / – / – | Create AutoMate object of defined custom type or web service | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Define Type / – / – / – | Define custom object type(s) defined in web service | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Shuffle List / – / – | use Create Array Action, and Array/List Variable properties to retrieve number of List items; now use Loop Action with Functions inExpression Builder to generate random number between zero and number retrieved earlier, and use this as index to add Array item to new Array | Create random permutation of items in specified List | use workaround – Note that List Variable actually is comma-delimited Text string | use workaround |
| – / Find Common List Items / – / – | use Loop, If, andCreate Array Actions to create new List of items common to both source Lists | Compare two Lists and create new List of items common to both source Lists | use Simple Loop, If Then, and Delimit Variable Actions to create new List of items common to both source Lists (also see Note above) | use Loop Condition, If Variable, and Variable Operation Actions to create new List of items common to both source Lists |
| – / Subtract Lists / – / – | use Loop, If, andCreate Array Actions to create new List of items that are in first List but not in second List | Compare two Lists and create new List of items that are in first List but not in second List | use Simple Loop, If Then, and Delimit Variable Actions to create new List of items common to both source Lists (also see Note above) | use Loop Condition, If Variable, and Variable Operation Actions to create new List of items common to both source Lists |
| – / Retrieve Table Column as List / – / – | achieved via Variable properties | Retrieve Datatable column (by name or index) into List | use workaround (Note: RoboTask does nothave Datatable Variable!) | use workaround (Note: Automation Anywhere does not have Datatable Variable!) |
| – / – / Remove Variable / – | n/a – however,Public/Global Variable value will affect other Automation executionsunless a) Variable has been marked as Private/Local, b) Automation has beendisabled, or c) deleted – hence use unique (ie Automation-specific) Variable names! | n/a – Variables areLocal by default, ie they get automatically deleted at end of Automation execution | Delete specified Variable (use at end of Automation in order to prevent that GlobalVariable value affects other Automation executions) – Note: Better use Local Variables tab in Task Editor, or use unique (ie Automation-specific) Variable names! | n/a – Variables areLocal by default, ie they get automatically deleted at end of Automation execution |
| Flow Control | ||||
| – / – / Continue / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use workaround | Skip all further loop Actions, and begin new loop iteration – Note: This is a very convenient, thoughtful Action (on top of the typical Break/Exit LoopAction) since it helps to avoid those deeply nested If/Elseconditions inside loops – Let’s hope the other software vendors pick this up! | use workaround |
| Return / – / – / – | Exit current function (with specified value) and return execution to calling function | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| If File Exists / If File Exists / – / If File Exists/If File Does Not Exist/If File Size/If File Date | Execute subsequent steps if specified file matches specified conditions (exists, does not exist, accessible, not accessible, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | Execute subsequent steps if specified file exists/ does not exist | achieved with System Variable: FileExists | Execute subsequent steps if specified file exists/ does not exist, or if file date (created/ modified) or file size (KB) matches specified range (four separate Actions) |
| If Folder Exists / If Folder Exists / – / If Folder Exists | Execute subsequent steps if specified folder matches specified conditions (exists, does not exist, newer/older than, all Windows folder attributes) | Execute subsequent steps if specified folder exists/ does not exist | achieved with System Variable: FolderExists | Execute subsequent steps if specified folder exists/ does not exist (two separate Actions) |
| – / If Service / – / If Service Running/If Service Not Running | use Services Action with Get State property and If Action But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Execute subsequent steps if specified Windows Service/ Device is running, paused, stopped, installed, or not installed | use workaround | Execute subsequent steps if specified Windows Service/ Device is running/ not running (two separate Actions) |
| If Process Running / If Process / – / If Application Running/If Application Not Running | Execute subsequent steps if specified process is running/ not running | Execute subsequent steps if specified process is running/ not running | achieved with System Variable: IsProcessExists (yes, it really has that strange name!) | Execute subsequent steps if specified application is running/ not running (two separate Actions) |
| If Window Exists / If Window / Check for Window / If Window Exists/If Window Does Not Exist | Execute subsequent steps if specified window exists, does not exist, is focused, not focused, or hidden) | Execute subsequent steps if specified window exists, does not exist, is focused, or not focused) | Check if window (specified by caption) exists or is active (can also stop current Automation in either case – can alternatively use System Variable: WindowExists) | Execute subsequent steps if specified window exists/ does not exist (two separate Actions) |
| If Pixel Exists / If Image / – / If Image Recognition | Execute subsequent steps if specified screen pixel(s) have specified color | Execute subsequent steps if specified image exists/ does not exist on screen/ foreground window | use workaround | Execute subsequent steps if target image (specified by file orscreen capture during design-stage) is found in source image (specified by file orscreen capture during design-stage); can left-click it |
| If Compare Files / – / – / – | Execute subsequent steps if comparison of two files matches specified conditions (size, CRC/Hash, creation date, modified date, last accessed date, attributes) | use If Action with file properties of both files | use If Action withSystem Variable: FileSize andFileAttributes for both files | use workaround (Note that File properties arenot part of System Variables!) |
| – / – / – / If Script Successful/If Script Unsuccessful | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | use workaround | use workaround | Execute subsequent steps if specified VBS (visual basic script) or JS (java script) run was successful/ unsuccessful (two separate Actions) |
| – / – / – / If Task Successful/If Task Unsuccessful | use If Action with error code from Error Handling in other Automation | use If Action with error code from Exception Handling in other Automation | use If Then Action withSystem Variable: LastErrorCode | Execute subsequent steps if specified other Automation run was successful/ unsuccessful (two separate Actions) |
| – / – / Wait for Task / – | use workaround (only relevant for triggeredAutomation, since Start Task Action must waitfor called Automation to complete anyway – see above) | use workaround | Pause execution of current Automation until (another) specified Automationends (if already running; can wait specified time in seconds or infinitely) | use workaround (only relevant for triggeredAutomation, since Start Task Action must waitfor called Automation to complete anyway – see above) |
| – / – / – / If Ping Successful/If Ping Unsuccessful | use Ping MachineAction and If Action | use Ping Action and IfAction | use Ping Host Action and If Then Action | Execute subsequent steps if Ping to specified IP address was successful/ unsuccessful (two separate Actions) |
| – / – / – / If Web Control | use Web BrowserAction and If Action | use workaround | use workaround | Execute subsequent steps if specified Web Object Control exists/ does not exist on specified webpage |
| If Last Step / – / – / – | Execute subsequent steps if prior step succeeded/ failed (with specified error code/s) – Note: also achieved with Error Handling in each Action | achieved withException Handling in each Action | use If Then Action withSystem Variable: LastErrorCode, or Run Error Handling Automation | achieved with Begin Error Handling and End Error Handling Actions below |
| If Text Contains / – / – / – | Execute subsequent steps if specified target text contains/ does not contain specified text (can ignore case, can use Regex) | use Parse Text Action and If Action – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use STR Extract Action and If Then Action – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use String Operation: Find Action and If Variable Action |
| – / – / – / Else If | just use new If Action or nested conditions! | just use new If Action or nested conditions! | just use new If Action! | Execute subsequent steps if specified condition matches (no nested conditions!) and prior condition was notmet |
| Select / – / – / – | Execute steps following Case step that matches result of expression specified here | just use If Action, orLabel and Go To | just use If Then Action | just use If VariableAction |
| Case / – / – / – | Execute subsequent steps if Case step matches expression result of enclosing Select step | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| End Case / – / – / – | End of Case steps | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| End Select / – / – / – | End of Select condition | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| – / – / – / Begin Error Handling | achieved (more precisely, ie withdetailed error list, butbulk error handling) in every Action where relevant! | achieved (more precisely, ie with shorterror list, but error-specific error handling) in every Action where relevant! | achieved withAdvanced settings inTask Editor (Continue, Stop, Run Error Handling Task, or Run Error Handling Task and Continue) | Continue, Stop, Take screenshot, Run other Automation, Log file, Send Email (Note: We would expect this not to be an Action but to be automatically taken care of within each Action!) |
| – / – / – / End Error Handling | n/a | n/a | n/a | End Error Handling (thank God for this Action! |
| Loops | ||||
| Loop Array / – / – / – | Loop through elements of specified Array (1-dimensional ie List, or 2-dimensional ie Datatable) | achieved with For EachAction if 1-dimensional Array (ie List); for 2-dimensional Array (ie Datatable) use nested loops | use workaround – Note:List Variable actually iscomma-delimited Text string, and RoboTask does not have Datatable Variable anyway! | achieved with Loop ListAction if 1-dimensional Array (ie List); for 2-dimensional Array (ie Datatable) use nested loops – Note: Automation Anywhere does not haveDatatable Variable anyway! |
| Loop List / For Each / – / Loop List | Loop through items of List, delimited by ANY specified character/s (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | Loop through items of List | use workaround – Note that List Variable actually is comma-delimited Text string | Loop through items of List |
| Loop Dataset / – / Dataset Loop / Loop Each Row In An IE Table/Loop Each Row In A SQL Query Dataset/Loop Each Row In An Excel Dataset/Loop Each Node In An XML Dataset | Loop through specified rows of specified Datatable (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | use nested loops | Loop through elements of results of SQL Query (only!) and extract them as comma-delimited Text strings | Loop through specified rows of specified source (four separate Actions) – Note: Automation Anywhere loops ListVariable here; also note that Loop Each Email Message Action is only available withIntegration Pack (four separate Actions) |
| Loop File Contents / – / Text Loop / Loop Each Row In A CSV/Text File | Loop through contents of specified file (delimited by ANY specified character/s) | use For Each Action with text file read asList (delimited by new line), or with List created with Split TextAction (delimited by ANY specified character/s) | Loop through contents of specified file or specified text (delimited by new lineonly) | Loop through contents of specified file (delimited by new lineonly) |
| Loop Files / – / File Loop / Loop Each File In A Folder/Loop Each Folder In A Folder | Loop through all (not excluded) file (andfolder) names of specified folder (and subfolders) that match specified conditions: newer/older than, and all Windows file attributes (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | use workaround | Loop through ANY (not excluded) specified fileor folder names (ie across different folders(!), and their subfolders if ticked) that match specified condition: newer/older than (or between specified dates) – can also retrieve file size and date when created or last modified | Loop through all file names OR Loop through ALL subfolders in specified folder (two separate Actions) |
| Loop List Control / – / – / – | Loop through items of specified list box or list view of specified window/s (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | use workaround | use workaround | use Loop List Action with Manage Windows Controls Action |
| Loop Tree Control / – / – / – | Loop through items of specified tree view (at specified branch level) of specified window/s (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | use workaround | use workaround | use Loop List Action with Manage Windows Controls Action |
| Loop Processes / – / – / – | Loop through filenames of specified processes currently running (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Loop Windows / – / Window Loop / – | Loop through all open (visible or hidden) windows (after sorting items in ascending/ descending alphabetical order), and retrieve caption, class, and handle (can limit to certain windows specified by caption and/or class) | use workaround | Loop through all open (visible or hidden; including child) windows, and retrieve caption, class, and handle (can limit to certain windows specified by caption and/or class) | use workaround |
| Text | ||||
| Pad Text / Pad Text / – / – | Add any specified character(s) to beginning AND/OR end of specified source text until text is of specified length (or specified number of times) | Add any specified character(s) to beginning OR end of specified source text until text is of specified length | use Simple Loop Action with STR Pos and STR Insert Action | use Loop ConditionAction with Variable Operation Action |
| – / – / – / String Operation: Compare | use If Action | use If Action | use If Then Action | Compare two specified Text strings (can ignore case) and return TRUE/FALSE |
| – / – / – / String Operation: Reverse | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Reverse specified Text string (ie order of characters) |
| File management | ||||
| Split File / – / – / – | Split specified file into parts of ANY size | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Join File / – / – / – | Merge previously split parts of file (and send parts to Recycle Bin) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Temporary File / – / Create File | use Functions inExpression Builder andWrite to File Action | Create empty temporary file object (saved in Temp folder on disk) | use System Variable: TempDir and Write Text File Action | Create empty file of specified name (incl. extension) in specified folder |
| – / – / Unique File Name / – | use workaround | use workaround | Generate unique file name (using specified mask and/or specified folder path) | use workaround |
| Calculate File Checksum / – / – / – | Calculate checksum of specified file, using specified algorithm | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions |
| Concatenate Files / – / – / – | Concatenate files matching conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) into specified target file | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions |
| Set Attributes / – / File Attributes / – | Set specified attributes (Archive, Read-only, Hidden, System) offiles in folder (and subfolders) matching conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | use Get Files in FolderAction and If Action to change file or folder attributes – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, see Automation Solutions | Set specified attributes (Archive, Read-only, Hidden, System) of specified file or folder | use workaround (Note that File properties arenot part of System Variables!) |
| Touch File / – / – / – | Touch file(s) in folder (and subfolders) matching conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) to update creation, modified, or last access time with ANY specified Datetime | use Get Files in FolderAction and If Action to change creation, modified, or last access time with ANY specified Datetime – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, see Automation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround (Note that File properties arenot part of System Variables!) |
| – / – / – / Create File Shortcut | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Create file shortcut for specified file and save into specified target folder |
| Folder management | ||||
| – / Empty Folder / – / – | use Delete File andRemove Folder Action | Delete all files and subfolders in specified folder | use Delete File andRemove Folder Action | use Delete Files andDelete Folder Action |
| – / Get Special Folder / – / – | partly achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Retrieve full path of ANY Windows special folder (eg Desktop, Cookies, History, Recent, MyMusic, ProgramFiles, etc) | partly achieved withSystem Variables | use workaround |
| Change Folder / – / Change Folder / – | Change working folder | n/a (no concept ofworking folder) | Change working folder | n/a (no concept ofworking folder) |
| – / – / – / Open Folder | n/a | n/a | n/a | Folder content is notassigned to Variable (I don’t know what this Action actually does!?!) |
| – / – / – / Create Folder Shortcut | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Create folder shortcut for specified file and save into specified target folder |
| Synchronize Folders / – / Synchronize Folders / – | Synchronize all files in specified folders (and subfolders; bidirectional or unidirectional) matching conditions (include mask, exclude mask, read-only attribute) | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Synchronize all files in specified folders (and subfolders; bidirectional or unidirectional) matching conditions (include mask, exclude mask) – can process hidden and system files too, can create exact copy of first source folder, can log all synchronization information | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions |
| Excel | ||||
| Get Active Worksheet / – / – / – | Get active worksheet (name and/or index) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: RoboTask offers no Actions for native communication with Excel (yet), ie Excel (like other applications too) must be in active/foreground window! | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions |
| Activate Cell / – / – / Go to Cell | Activate specified cell(s) in active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | n/a (no concept ofactive cell/s) | n/a (also see note above) | Go to specified cell (relative or absolute) of active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only) |
| Get Active Cell / – / – / – | Get active cell(s) in active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) – Note that, strangely, the activecell is then not used inSet Cell and Dataset to Cells Action! | n/a (no concept ofactive cell/s) | n/a (also see note above) | use workaround |
| Get Cell / – / – / – | Read (formatted!) value of specified cell (of active or any other worksheet) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | use Insert KeystrokesAction (to readformatted value) – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use Send KeystrokesAction – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use Send Keys Action (to read formattedvalue) – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions |
| Set Cell / – / – / – | Write value of specified Variable to specified cell (of active or any other worksheet) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible or invisible) | achieved with Write to Excel Action above | use Send KeystrokesAction | Write value of specified Variable to active or specified cell (of active worksheet) of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only) |
| – / – / – / Excel: Find/Replace | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Find (and Replace) specified text in active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only; can match case, can match entire content, but NO Regex!) |
| – / – / – / Excel: Run Excel Macro | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Insert KeystrokesAction | use Send KeystrokesAction | Run Macro (specified by name; with optional Macro arguments) in active worksheet of Excel workbook opened earlier (visible only) |
| Clipboard | ||||
| Paste / – / Paste / – | Paste text from clipboard | use Get Clipboard TextAction and Send KeysAction (with Ctrl-V) | Paste text from clipboard | use Assign from Clipboard Action andInsert Keystrokes Action (with Ctrl-V) |
| Copy / – / Copy / – | Copy selected text to clipboard | use Send Keys Action (with Ctrl-C) and Set Clipboard Text Action | Copy selected text to clipboard | use Insert KeystrokesAction (with Ctrl-C) andAssign to ClipboardAction |
| Cut / – / Cut / – | Cut selected text to clipboard | use Send Keys Action (with Ctrl-C and Del) and Set Clipboard TextAction | Cut selected text to clipboard | use Insert KeystrokesAction (with Ctrl-C and Del) and Assign to Clipboard Action |
| Clear / Clear Clipboard Contents / Clear Clipboard / Clear Clipboard | Empty clipboard | Empty clipboard | Empty clipboard | Empty clipboard |
| Multimedia | ||||
| CD Player / – / Eject/Load CD Tray / – | Perform (full!) control over system’s CD Drive to play Audio CD | use Run Applicationand Insert KeystrokesAction | Eject or Load specified CD/DVD drive | use Open Program/Fileand Send Keys Action |
| – / – / Write to Disk / – | use workaround | use workaround | Write any specified files and folders to CD/DVD RW drive – ALL options you could wish for! | use workaround |
| – / – / Erase Disk / – | use workaround | use workaround | Delete table of contents (or all data) on specified CD/DVD RW drive (and eject when complete) | use workaround |
| Speak / – / – / – | Speak specified text, using Windows speech synthesis engine and selected voice (and save voice file) | use Run Applicationand Insert KeystrokesAction | use Run Program/Open Document and Send Keystrokes Action | use Open Program/Fileand Send Keys Action |
| System | ||||
| – DateTime | ||||
| Set Date and Time / – / – / – | Set system clock to specified date and time, or synchronize it with specified internet time server | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional System Administrators; changing computer time has implications! | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional System Administrators; changing computer time has implications! | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional System Administrators; changing computer time has implications! |
| – / Add to Date Time / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Add/subtract specified number of seconds, minutes, hours, or days to/from (any) specified Datetime value | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Subtract Dates / – / – | achieved withFunctions in Expression Builder | Calculate time difference between two specified dates (in seconds, minutes, hours, or days) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – Processes | ||||
| Change Printer / Set Default Printer / – / Set Default Printer | Change default printer | Change default printer | use workaround | Change default printer |
| – / – / – / Get Default Printer | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround | Retrieve name of default printer |
| – / – / – / Remove Printer | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround | Remove specified printer from system |
| Log Off / Log Off User / Log Off / Logoff | Log off current user (by force possible) | Log off current user (by force possible) | Close all programs and Log off current user (no options) | Log off current user (no options) |
| Lock Workstation / Lock Workstation / Lock Workstation / Lock Computer | Lock workstation (to protect it from unauthorized use) | Lock workstation (to protect it from unauthorized use) | Lock workstation (to protect it from unauthorized use) | Lock workstation (to protect it from unauthorized use) |
| Shut Down / Shutdown Computer / – / Shutdown | Close Windows and shutdown local system (by force possible) or specified remote system | Close Windows and shutdown, restart, suspend, or hibernate local system (by force possible) | achieved with Log OffAction above and selecting Shut down orShut down and Power off | Close Windows and shutdown local system (no options) |
| Restart / – / – / Restart | Close Windows (by force possible) and restart local system or specified remote system | partly achieved withShutdown ComputerAction above | achieved with Log OffAction above and selecting Restart Computer | Close Windows (no options) and restart local system |
| Suspend/Hibernate / – / – / – | Suspend or Hibernate local system (by force possible) – can wake up at specified time | partly achieved withShutdown ComputerAction above | partly achieved withLog Off Action above and selecting Suspendor Hibernate | use workaround |
| Volume / – / – / – | Change ANY volume or tone settings on local system | use Insert KeystrokesAction | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Send Keys Action |
| Empty Recycle Bin / Empty Recycle Bin / – / – | Permanently delete all content in Windows Recycle Bin (show confirmation, show progress information) | Permanently delete all content in Windows Recycle Bin (no options) | use Delete File Action (all files) with specified Recycle folder (usually C:\RECYCLER\*) | use Delete Files Action (all files) with specified Recycle folder (usually C:\RECYCLER\*) |
| – / Take Screenshot / – / Capture Desktop/Capture Window/Capture Area | use Send KeystrokesAction (with PrtSc – or respective shortcut key) | Save screenshot of entire screen (orforeground window) to Clipboard or as file (gif, jpg, png, tiff, bmp, etc) | use Send KeystrokesAction (with PrtSc – or respective shortcut key) | Save screenshot of entire screen (orspecified window or specified screen area) as png or bmp file (only!) – three separate Actions |
| – / Control Screen Saver / – / – | use Send KeystrokesAction | Enable, disable, start, or stop screen saver | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Send Keys Action |
| Display / – / – / – | Change device, resolution, color depth, and/or frequency settings for screen display | use Insert KeystrokesAction | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Send Keys Action |
| Environment Variables / – / – / – | Manipulate specified Windows Environment Variables (get, set, append to, remove, or list) of user, system, or process | use workaround | partly achieved withSystem Variable: EnvironmentVar (get only) | use workaround |
| Get Process Information / – / – / – | Get all Windows information of process specified by name or ID (running on local or specified remote system) | use workaround | partly achieved withSystem Variable: IsProcessExists (yes, that’s the name!) – only information if process (specified by name) exists | use workaround |
| Get Volume Information / – / – / – | Get all Windows information of specified volume(s)/ drive(s) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Log Event / – / – / – | Log specified message (of type information, warning, or error) to Windows Event Log – Note that Windows Event Log entries canbe used as trigger to run Automations within AutoMate (no .exe anyway) | use Write Text to FileAction to appendmessage to Windows Event Log – Note thatWindows Event Logentries can be used as trigger to run Automations within WinAutomation (of course not in .exe) | achieved via Advancedtab of Task Editor (and selecting Duplicate Task Log Messages to Common Log) – Note that Windows Event Log entries cannot be used as trigger to run Automations! | use workaround – Note that Windows Event Log entries cannot be used as trigger to run Automations! |
| Write to Log / – / Log Message / Log to File | Add specified message to AutoMate’s own event log | use Write Text to FileAction (WinAutomation’s own event log can only beviewed but not interfered with!) | Add specified message (of type information, warning, error, or neutral) to RoboTask’s own event log | Add specified message to Automation Anywhere’s own event log |
| Registry / – / – / – | Modify Windows Registry (read, create, change, delete, or rename value data; create, rename, delete key) | use workaround – Note: only useful for System Administrators; changing Registry has implications! | achieved with 9 Actions below | use workaround – Note: only useful for System Administrators; changing Registry has implications! |
| – / – / Add Key / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Add specified Key name to Windows Registry | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Delete Key / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Delete specified Key name from Windows Registry | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Rename Key / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Rename specified Key name in Windows Registry | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Read Value / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Retrieve specified Value name of specified Key name | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Write Value / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Write specified Value name (of type String or Integer) into specified Key name | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Delete Value / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Delete specified Value name from specified Key name | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Rename Value / – | achieved with RegistryAction above | use workaround (also see Note above) | Rename specified Value name of specified Key name | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Export / – | use workaround | use workaround (also see Note above) | Export specified Key (Registry branch) to specified file | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| – / – / Import / – | use workaround | use workaround (also see Note above) | Import Key information from specified file into Windows Registry | use workaround (also see Note above) |
| Active Directory / – / – / | 15 Active DirectoryActions(!) – used by Network Administrators | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional Network Administrators | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional Network Administrators | use workaround – Note: only useful for professional Network Administrators |
| Call Function / – / – / – | Call specified Function defined in present Automation | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| BASIC Script / – / BASIC Script / Run Script | Run specified embedded or external BASIC script | use Run ApplicationAction to execute VBS | Run specified embedded or external BASIC script | Run specified external VBS (visual basic script) or JS (java script) defined in present Automation |
| DDE / – / – / – | Send any command to any DDE-enabled application | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Execute DLL Function / – / – / – | Execute specified method in managed or unmanaged Dynamic Link Library (DLL) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| – Wait | ||||
| Wait for File / Wait for File / Wait for File / – | Pause execution of current Automation until file(s) matching conditions (exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) is created, deleted, changed, or available (ie no longer used by another application) | Pause execution of current Automation until specified file is created or deleted – can continue anyway after specified number of seconds | Pause execution of current Automation until specified file is available (if currently used by another application) – can wait specified number of seconds or infinitely) | use workaround |
| Wait for Process / Wait for Process / Wait for Process Start/Wait for Process Finish / – | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for process (specified by name or ID) to start or end | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for process (specified by name) to start or end (can continue anyway after specified number of seconds) | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for process (specified by name; oldest, newest, or all if same name) to start or end (two separate Actions) – can wait specified number of seconds or infinitely, can retrieve exit code of process that ends | use workaround |
| – / Wait for Service / – / – | use workaround | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for service/ device (specified by name) to start, pause, or end (can continue anyway after specified number of seconds) | use workaround | use workaround |
| Wait for Pointer / Wait for Mouse / – / – | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for specified mouse pointer to match, differ, or change | Pause execution of current Automation and wait for specified mouse pointer to match, differ, or change (can continue anyway after specified number of seconds) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – Automation Software Actions | ||||
| Backup AutoMate / – / – / – | Backup all Automations, Triggers, Constants, and System Preferences (to be able to restore AutoMate installation) | achieved centrally in admin view (Backup ofAutomations only!) | use workaround | use workaround |
| Enable/Disable Task / – / Enable Task/Disable Task / – | Enable or Disable execution of specifiedAutomation within AutoMate to prevent triggered or unauthorized execution (can also be achieved centrally in admin view) – Note: Automations cannot be compiled to .exe anyway! | achieved centrally in admin view (WinAutomation Console) – does notwork for Automations compiled to .exe | Enable or Disable execution of specifiedAutomation withinRoboTask to prevent triggered execution (two separate Actions; can also be achieved centrally in admin view) – Note: Automations cannot be compiled to .exe anyway! | achieved centrally in admin view (Security: Properties) – also allows encryption and password protection of each Automation – doesnot work for Automations compiled to .exe |
| – / – / Enable Automation/Disable Automation / – | use workaround | use workaround | Enable or Disable triggered execution ofany Automation withinRoboTask (two separate Actions; can also be achieved centrally in admin view) – also see Note above | use workaround |
| Shutdown AutoMate / – / Exit RoboTask / – | Close AutoMate incl.Event Monitor and Task Service (and all running Automations) | use Terminate ProcessAction above (does also work for Automations compiled to .exe) | Close RoboTask incl.Event Monitor and Task Service (and all running Automations) | use workaround |
| – / – / Minimize RoboTask / – | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Insert KeystrokesAction | Collapse RoboTask window to Windows System Tray | use Send Keys Action |
| – / – / Restore RoboTask / – | use Send KeystrokesAction | use Insert KeystrokesAction | Restore RoboTask window from Windows System Tray | use Send Keys Action |
| Trigger Task / – / – / – | Start specified Automation (with all its settings) as if it were triggered – Note: This seems to have no other effect than if you just run the desired Automation | just use Run Job Action above | just use Start TaskAction above | just use Run TaskAction above |
| – / Get Command Line Arguments / – / – | achieved with RunAction above | Retrieve console command line arguments (if Automation is compiled or executed through command line) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / – / Comment / – | n/a | n/a | Allows to comment the Automation internally in Task Editor – Note: We would expect thisnot to be an Actionsince it exhibits no activity during execution! | n/a |
| Connectivity | ||||
| – Web | ||||
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Find Broken Links | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | use workaround – Note: You can download a tool with this functionality right here on the site, seeAutomation Solutions | Find broken weblinks at specified URL (on webpage or entire website) and save results in specified csv file (can append to existing csv file) |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Search by Caption | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use workaround | use workaround | Search browser web controls in all open windows of IE (only!) for specified caption |
| – / – / – / Web Recorder: Go Back | achieved with Web Browser Action above | use Insert KeystrokesAction | use Send KeystrokesAction | Navigate to previous URL |
| – / – / Fill Web Form / – | use workaround | use workaround | Fill specified form (incl. hidden fields) on specified web page (can use auto log-on (username and password), auto-submit, and auto-download file from protected area) – Note: This Action uses RoboTask’s embedded browser, which allows native communication with any web form, ie is more reliable than Keystrokes and Mouse Actions | use workaround |
| – / – / Wait for Done / – | use workaround | use workaround | Pause execution of Automation until user clicks Done button in RoboTask’s embedded browser – allows user to interact freely with any website (incl. page back/forward button), eg to enter Captcha, click links, etc | use workaround |
| Execute Web Service / – / – / – | Execute specified web service call, using provided URL and parameters | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround (Note:Web Service Action only available withIntegration Pack) |
| – Network | ||||
| Connect to Network / – / Dial Up/Hang Up / Internet Connection | Connect to another network, using VPN or dialup (or disconnect specified or all connections) | use workaround | Connect or Disconnect specified Dial-upconnection (only!) | Connect or Disconnect specified Dial-upconnection (only!) |
| – / – / Check Connection / – | use workaround | use workaround | Check if specified Dial-up connection is connected | use workaround |
| Ping Machine / Ping / Ping Host / – | Send Ping request to another computer/ server and time its response time | Send Ping request to another computer/ server and time its response time | Send Ping request to another computer/ server and time its response time | achieved with If Ping Successful Action (timed via System Variable Date) |
| Map Drive / – / – / – | Connect specified drive letter to network path (using current user or different user) or disconnect | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Exchange / – / – / – | Communicate with MS Exchange Server to Create, Get, Modify, Delete, or Move object types (Appointment, Contact, or Task) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| MSMQ / – / – / – | Create, Delete or Clear MSMQ queues, or Send, Retrieve, or Wait for MSMQ messages | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / – / Send Command / – | use workaround | use workaround | Send specified command to remote RoboTask Automation on specified server (can use password) – Note: works together withListener trigger of RoboTask (another RoboTask installation (anywhere) can start any specified Automation based on received command) | use workaround |
| – / – / Send Network Message / – | use workaround | use workaround | Send specified message to specified (or all) system(s) connected to the same Local Area Network (LAN) – requires Windows Messenger service to be installed on both (or all) systems | use workaround |
| Compression | ||||
| Compress Files / Zip Files / Pack Files / Zip Files | Compress file(s) and folder(s) matching conditions (include subfolders, exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes), using any methods provided (eg zip, gzip, 7zip, tar, etc) – many options! | Compress specified file(s) and folder(s) to archive (zip only!) – options: none, lowest, normal, highest; password; comment | Compress specified file(s) and folder(s) to archive (zip only!) – options: add and replace, update and add, move, freshen; none, normal, fast, superfast, maximum; include hidden and system files; store file names in 8.3 format; exclude folder paths; password; comment | Compress specified file(s) and folder(s) to archive (zip only!) – options: add and replace, move and replace, update only if newer; normal, fast, superfast; password |
| Decompress Files / Unzip Files / Extract Files / Unzip Files | Extract specified (not excluded) file(s) and folder(s) into specified target folder, using any methods provided (eg zip, gzip, 7zip, tar, etc) – many options! | Extract specified file(s) and folder(s) of specified zip-file (only!) into specified target folder – options: supply password | Extract specified file(s) and folder(s) of specified zip-file (only!) into specified target folder – options: overwrite, skip older files, use folder names; supply password | Extract specified zip-file (only!) into specified target folder – options: overwrite; supply password |
| Timer | ||||
| Start Timer / – / – / – | Start new timer | use Get Current Date and Time Action | use System Variable: DateTime (includes seconds) or even usemSeconds | use System Variable: Date (includes seconds) or even use Second |
| Stop Timer / – / – / – | Stop specified timer | use Get Current Date and Time Action again | use System Variable: DateTime (includes seconds) or even usemSeconds | use System Variable: Date (includes seconds) or even use Second |
| Read Timer / – / – / – | Read specified timer | use Subtract DatesAction | use Evaluate Action to calculate difference | use Variable OperationAction to calculate difference |
| Cryptography | ||||
| Create Key Container / – / – / – | Create new key container at user or system level (key size up to 8192) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Delete Key Container / – / – / – | Delete specified key container at user or system level | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Generate Key Files / – / – / – | Generate public and private key files from existing key container at user or system level | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Encrypt / – / – / – | Encrypt file matching conditions (incl. subfolders, exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes), using specified encryption type (Passphrase, Public/Private key, PGP, or OpenPGP) and algorithm | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Decrypt / – / – / – | Decrypt encrypted file matching conditions (incl. subfolders, exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes), using specified encryption type (Passphrase, Public/ Private key, PGP, or OpenPGP) and algorithm | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Sign / – / – / – | Sign file matching conditions (incl. subfolders, exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes), using private key(s) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Verify / – / – / – | Verify signature of file matching conditions (incl. subfolders, exclude mask, newer/older than, all Windows file attributes) | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Social Media | ||||
| – Instant Messaging | ||||
| Send IM / – / – / – | Send Instant Message (via Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AIM, Google Talk, or ICQ) | use Run Applicationand Insert KeystrokesAction | use Run Program/Open Document and Send Keystrokes Action | use Open Program/Fileand Send Keys Action |
| Twitter / – / – / – | Perform Twitter activities (Search, Update Status, Get Status, Delete Status, Get Direct Messages, Send Direct Message, Get Timeline, Get Mentions, Get Friends, Get Followers, Follow User, Unfollow User) | achieved with 38 Actions below | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Specify Twitter Account / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Log in to specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – - Tweets | ||||
| – / Post a Tweet / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Create new/reply tweet on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Tweet / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve all information of tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Delete Tweet / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Delete tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Retweet a Tweet / – / – | use workaround | Retweet tweet (specified by ID) to make it visible to followers of specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Retweets of a Tweet / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve (up to 100) retweets of tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Retweeted Tweets / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account, retweeted by others | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Tweets Retweeted to Me / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account, retweeted to me | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Tweets Retweeted by Me / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account, retweeted by me | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Twitter Mentions / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID), mentioning user of specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Search for Tweets / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account, matching specified search term | use workaround | use workaround |
| – - Timelines | ||||
| – / Get Twitter Public Timeline / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve 20 most recent tweets made by non-protected users who have custom user icon | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Twitter Home Timeline / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account, tweeted or retweeted by user and friends | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Twitter User Timeline / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) of Twitter user (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – - Users | ||||
| – / Get Twitter User / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve all information of Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Twitter User Friends / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve all information of friends (since specified friend) of Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Twitter User Followers / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve all information of followers (since specified follower) of Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Follow Twitter User / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Follow Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Unfollow Twitter User / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Unfollow Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Block Twitter User / – / – | use workaround | Block Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Unblock Twitter User / – / – | use workaround | Unblock Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Search for Twitter Users / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of Twitter users matching specified search term (searches description field too) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – - Direct Messages | ||||
| – / Get Received Twitter Direct Messages / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of direct messages since direct message (specified by ID), received on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Sent Twitter Direct Messages / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Retrieve specified number of direct messages since direct message (specified by ID), sent via specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Send Twitter Direct Message / – / – | achieved with TwitterAction above | Send specified direct message to Twitter user (specified by name or ID) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Delete Twitter Direct Message / – / – | use workaround | Delete direct message (specified by ID) on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – - Lists | ||||
| – / Get Lists of Twitter User / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve all lists created and owned by Twitter user (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Create New Twitter List / – / – | use workaround | Create new (public or private) list on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Delete Twitter List / – / – | use workaround | Delete specified list on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Timeline for Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Retrieve specified number of tweets since tweet (specified by ID) for specified list of list owner (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Members of Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Retrieve all Twitter users who are members of specified list of list owner (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Subscribers of Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Retrieve all Twitter users following specified list of list owner (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Subscribe to Twitter List / – / – | use workaround | Subscribe to specified list of list owner (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Unsubscribe from Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Unsubscribe from specified list of list owner (specified by name) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Add Member to Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Add Twitter user (specified by ID) to specified list on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Remove Member from Twitter List / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Remove Twitter user (specified by ID) from specified list on specified Twitter account | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Memberships of Twitter User / – / – | use workaround But Automate 10 works well for this feature | Retrieve all lists of which Twitter user (specified by name) is member (being followed) | use workaround | use workaround |
| – / Get Subscriptions of Twitter User / – / – | use workaround | Retrieve all lists which Twitter user (specified by name) is subscribed to (follows) | use workaround | use workaround |
| XML | ||||
| Start XML Session / – / – / Start XML Session | Create new XML session for specified text (or existing or new file) | use Display Input Dialog Action (with property multi-line) orRead from Text FileAction | use System Variable: TextFile to read specified text file | Create new XML session for specified text (or existing file) |
| End XML Session / – / – / End XML Session | End specified XML session to unlock associated XML file | not needed in workaround | not needed in workaround | End specified XML session to unlock associated XML file |
| Create XML Node / – / – / Insert Node | Create new node (incl. specified attributes) in specified XML file at specified XPath | use Replace Text Action | use STR Replace Action | Create new node (incl. specified attributes) in specified XML file at specified XPath |
| Delete XML Node or Attribute / – / – / Delete Node/Attribute | Delete specified node (incl. specified attribute) in specified XML file at specified XPath | use Replace Text Action | use STR Replace Action | Delete specified node (incl. specified attribute) in specified XML file at specified XPath |
| Edit XML Node / – / – / Update Node(s) | Modify value of node or (single!) attribute offirst or all nodes at specified XPath | use Replace Text Action | use STR Replace Action | Modify value of node or (single or multiple!) attribute(s) of all nodes at specified XPath |
| Evaluate XPath Expression / – / – / Execute XPath Function | Retrieve result of specified XPath expression | use Parse Text Action | use STR Pos or RegExp Loop Action | Retrieve result of specified XPath expression |
| Read XML Node / – / – / Get Node(s): Single Node | Retrieve value of node (or attribute) selected by specified XPath | use Parse Text Action | use STR Pos or RegExp Loop Action | Retrieve value of node (or attribute) selected by specified XPath |
| XML Node to Dataset / – / – / Get Node(s): Multiple Nodes | Create Datatable of node values, or node attribute values, or unique XPaths for node(s) selected by specified XPath | use Parse Text Action to create List/s – can also use Launch ExcelAction to write retrieved values directly into new Excel workbook | use RegExp LoopAction to create List/s (comma-delimited Text strings) – can also useRun Program/Open Document and Send Keystrokes Action to write retrieved values directly into new Excel workbook | Create List of node values, or node attribute values, or unique XPaths for nodes selected by specified XPath (List must be looped!) |
| Extract XML Fragment / – / – / – | Retrieve collection of nodes (XML fragment) at specified XPath and save to specified file | use Parse Text andWrite Text to FileAction | use STR Pos or RegExp Loop Action and Write Text File Action | use String Operation: Find and Send KeysAction |
| Dataset to XML / – / – / – | Obtain XML (text) from specified Datatable | use Launch Excel andRead from Excel Action to read Excel Datatable, then use Loop andParse Text Action to retrieve desired XML (text) | use Run Program/Open Document and Send Keystrokes Action to read Excel Datatable, then use While Loopand STR Pos or RegExp Loop Action to retrieve desired XML (text) | use Open Spreadsheetand Get Cells Action to read Datatable as List, then use (nested) Loop Condition Action andString Operation: FindAction to retrieve desired XML (text) |
| Output XML / – / – / Save Session Data | Save current XML as specified xml file or text variable | use Write Text to FileAction (in workaround we already use XML asText variable) | use Write Text FileAction (in workaround we already use XML asText variable) | Save current XML as specified xml file or text variable |
| Validate XML File / – / – / Validate XML Document | Validate specified XML session data (to be well-formed, schema compliant or DTD compliant) | use Parse Text Action | use STR Pos or RegExp Loop Action | Validate specified XML session data (to be well-formed, schema compliant or DTD compliant) |
| Verify XML Document / – / – / – | Verify that specified XML file has not been modified, using specified key container (at user or system level) or key file | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Sign XML Document / – / – / – | Sign specified XML file, using specified key container (at user or system level) or key file | use workaround | use workaround | use workaround |
| Transform XML / – / – / – | Transform specified XML text into HTML file, using specified XSLT file (and parameters) | use Replace Text andWrite Text to FileAction | use STR Replace andWrite Text File Action | use String Operation: Replace and Send KeysAction |
| Merge XML Files / – / – / – | Merge two XML files (at specified XPath) | use Read Text from File, Parse Text, andWrite Text to FileAction | use System Variable: TextFile to read specified text file, useSTR Pos or RegExp Loop Action and Write Text File Action | use Read from CSV/Text, String Operation: Find, andSend Keys Action |
* Note: Regardless of the naming in AutoMate 9, WinAutomation, RoboTask, and Automation Anywhere, or any other Automation System, the Crucial Action Groups for Automation Software are:
- User Interactions
- Variables
- Flow Control
- Loops
- Text
- File and Folder Management
- Excel
- System, and
- Connectivity
All Automation Systems we discuss ,offer Actions that fulfil (at least) the basic functionality required in these Action Groups.
Also remember: In most cases it’s fairly easy to combine a few general Actions to achieve the same (or better) functionality that another Automation System offers as specialized Action (ie predefined, built-in). You will know best how much you can and want to pay extra for saving you a minute here and there, right?Let me know your thoughts on IT Automation strategy and how your organization is going to deal with it.
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
