To automate a Windows software application using Robot Framework with custom
keywords defined in Python, you'll need to create a Python library for your custom
keywords and then use that library in your Robot Framework test cases. Here's a
step-by-step guide on how to achieve this.
### Step 1: Install Required Packages
Ensure you have Robot Framework and a library for Windows automation installed. For
this example, we'll use the `robotframework-winautomate` library.
```sh
pip install robotframework
pip install robotframework-winautomate
```
### Step 2: Create a Python Library for Custom Keywords
1. **Create a Python File for Your Library**:
- Create a new Python file in your project directory. For this example, let's
call it `custom_keywords.py`.
2. **Define Your Custom Keywords in the Python File**:
Here's a sample Python script defining custom keywords using the
`robotframework-winautomate` library:
```python
# custom_keywords.py
from RPA.Windows import Windows
class CustomKeywords:
def __init__(self):
self.windows = Windows()
def start_application(self, app_path):
"""Start a Windows application."""
self.windows.start_application(app_path)
def type_text(self, text):
"""Type text into the currently focused window."""
self.windows.type_text(text)
def save_file(self, file_path):
"""Save the current document to the specified file path."""
self.windows.press_key('ctrl+s')
self.windows.type_text(file_path)
self.windows.press_key('enter')
def close_application(self):
"""Close the current application."""
self.windows.press_key('alt+f4')
```
In this example:
- `start_application` starts a Windows application.
- `type_text` types text into the currently focused window.
- `save_file` saves the document to a specified file path.
- `close_application` closes the application.
### Step 3: Create Your Robot Framework Test Suite
1. **Create a Robot Framework Test Suite File**:
- Create a new `.robot` file in your project directory. Let's call it
`example_test_suite.robot`.
2. **Use the Python Library and Custom Keywords in Your Test Suite**:
Here's a sample Robot Framework script using the custom Python keywords:
```robot
*** Settings ***
Library custom_keywords.py
*** Variables ***
${APP_PATH} C:\\Windows\\System32\\notepad.exe
${FILE_PATH} C:\\path\\to\\your\\file.txt
${TEXT_TO_TYPE} Hello, Robot Framework!
*** Test Cases ***
Open Notepad And Type Text
Start Application ${APP_PATH}
Type Text ${TEXT_TO_TYPE}
Save File ${FILE_PATH}
Close Application
```
In this test suite:
- The `Start Application`, `Type Text`, `Save File`, and `Close Application`
keywords are called from the `custom_keywords.py` library.
### Step 4: Run Your Test Suite
1. **Run the Test Suite**:
- Open a terminal or command prompt.
- Navigate to your project directory.
- Run the test suite using the `robot` command:
```sh
robot example_test_suite.robot
```
2. **Check Results**:
- After running the test suite, Robot Framework will generate logs and reports
in the `results` directory. You can check these files to see the test results and
any error messages.
### Troubleshooting Tips
- **Verify Paths**: Ensure the application path (`${APP_PATH}`) and file path (`$
{FILE_PATH}`) are correctly set and accessible.
- **Match Window Titles**: Make sure the window titles used in the script match
exactly with the actual application window titles.
- **Permissions**: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to interact with the
application and file system.
- **Debugging**: If you encounter issues, add `print` statements in your Python
methods to help debug or use `self.windows.debug()` for more detailed logs.
By following these steps, you can create and use custom Python keywords in Robot
Framework to automate Windows applications. This approach allows you to leverage
the full power of Python while using Robot Framework’s test automation
capabilities.
