PDF Automation Testing

Feature Availability: Release 6.1
Required Subscription: Web Automation

ACCELQ supports a PDF Recorder for recording automation statements on a PDF document, just as you would on a standard web application.

To begin working with PDF Automation development, simply select the PDF Recorder from the URL bar in ACCELQ Recorder. You will be prompted to choose a file from your file system that you want to automate.

Setting the runtime location of the PDF file

You select a PDF file from your file system to initiate automation. After selecting the file, you must insert an 'Open PDF' statement in the logic. ACCELQ provides a prompt to help you create this statement.

ACCELQ supports three distinct sources for the PDF file:

1. A specified file location on the Agent's hard drive when the test is running. You can provide either an absolute path to the file or a relative path from the 'user_data' folder in the Agent's installation directory.
2. From the browser download folder, which is useful in situations where the PDF file is dynamically generated as part of the test flow. You can either specify a file name in the Browser download folder or choose the most recently created file.
3. A resource URL that points to a PDF file.

Additionally, you have the option to specify a regular expression format for the file name if the file name is not static.

Open PDF File

Open PDF statement looks somewhat like this in your logic editor.

All PDF automation statements executed after the 'Open PDF' statement operate on this opened PDF file. You do not need to reference this file in other commands.

Automating logic on PDF

To automate logic on a PDF, simply right-click in the recorder, either at a specific element (like an input field in a PDF file), or on the PDF page. An extensive set of interaction and verification commands are available.

You can also build logic directly in the logic editor by selecting appropriate commands. Type "pdf" in the statement creation to find available options.

Here is a sample logic to populate the W4 form and validate some information:

Element Identification in PDF

Just like for a standard web application, ACCELQ supports Locator-free and Smart-locator options for element identification in PDF files. This capability allows you to handle the extreme complexity and dynamic nature of PDF file interactions and verifications.

Working with multiple PDF files

You can insert as many 'Open PDF' statements as needed to work with multiple PDF files simultaneously in your logic. However, PDF automation statements always act on the most recently opened PDF file. Therefore, make sure to include an 'Open PDF' statement just before you begin working with a specific file. If the file is already open, the statement is ignored, and the flow continues as expected.

To open another PDF file while in the PDF Recorder, simply click the folder icon located on the right side of the URL bar.

Combining Web and PDF testing

You can seamlessly integrate your web automation logic with PDF automation logic as needed. You can have a set of statements that work on the web browser, followed by PDF-related automation tasks.

Additionally, the option to locate the PDF file from the browser's download folder streamlines working with PDF files generated as part of a web application flow involving PDF downloads.

List of available PDF commands

Open the help center, and enter "pdf" in the search bar. Then, click on the "Commands" tab to review the available commands.

Other Notes

• ACCELQ PDF Recorder supports files rendered in international languages, not just English-based ones.
• You can verify text formatting, styling, and more using the "verify PDF element property" command, and apply HTML or CSS property verifications.