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Web Objects Repository

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The Web Object Repository (Web OR) in INGenious provides a centralized, maintainable, and scalable way to manage UI elements used across your automated tests. Instead of scattering selectors throughout test code or embedding them directly in automation scripts, the repository allows teams to define, store, and reuse web elements from a single source of truth.

Key Benefits:

  • Centralized element management – All web objects live in one organized repository.
  • Reduced duplication – Reuse element definitions across test suites and frameworks.
  • Maintainability – Update a selector once and apply the change everywhere.
  • Consistent naming and structure – Standardized element definitions promote cleaner automation design.

Object Repository Structure

Object repository follows the structure below:

```
├── ProjectName
│   ├── PageName1
│   │   └── ObjectName1
│   └── PageName2
│       ├── ObjectName1
│       └── ObjectName2
```
  • A single project can include multiple Pages, and each Page can hold multiple Objects.
  • Page names must be unique within the project.
  • Object names must be unique within their respective page.
  • An object consists of the following attributes that define how it can be identified and interacted with:

    Attribute Description Example Value
    Role Defines the semantic role of the element, often based on ARIA roles. button
    Text Visible text displayed by the element. Submit
    Label The associated label or ARIA label of the element. Email Address
    Placeholder Placeholder text shown inside an input field. Enter your email
    XPath XPath expression used to locate the element in the DOM. //input[@id='email']
    CSS CSS selector used to target the element. #login-button
    AltText Alternative text for an image or element. Company Logo
    Title The title attribute of the element. View Details
    TestID A stable identifier intended for automated testing. data-testid="username-input"
    ChainedLocator Locator that finds the element relative to a parent or nested element. Parent: div.user-form → Child: input[type='password']

Project and Shared Web OR

There are two types of Web OR that you may use:

  • Project Web OR

    Contains objects that can be used within the project and managed from the Project tab within the OR panel.

    ExampleProjectWebOR

    An OR.object file is automatically generated whenever a project containing Objects is saved. It stores the Page and Object attributes in XML format and is located inside the respective project directory.

    OR.object

    When a Project Web Object (PWO) is used in a test step, the identifier [Project] PageName will show as its reference.

    PWOTestStep

  • Shared Web OR

    Contains objects that can be used across different projects and are managed from the Shared tab within the OR panel.

    ExampleSharedWebOR

    A SharedOR.object file is automatically generated whenever a project saves Objects created under Shared or when Objects are copied from Project to Shared. Like OR.object, it stores Page and Object attributes in XML format and is located in the Shared\SharedWebObjects\ directory.

    SharedOR.object

    When a Shared Web Object (SWO) is used in a test step, the identifier [Shared] PageName will show as its reference.

    SWOTestStep

How to use Project and Shared Web OR

  • Pages and Objects can be added directly within the Project and Shared repositories using the Add Page or Add Object options.

  • Objects from Project and Shared Web OR can be used in a single Test Scenario.

    For example: ExampleTestScenario

  • Pages and Objects created under the Project tab can be copied to the Shared section by using the Copy to Shared option. When an entire Page is copied, all Objects under that Page—including their attributes—are copied. When copying a single Object, only that Object and its corresponding Page are copied. Note that existing test steps using the Project‑level Web Object (PWO) will not be automatically updated to use the Shared Web Object (SWO).

    ExampleCopy

  • Pages and Objects may share the same names across the Project and Shared repositories. However, names must remain unique within each individual repository.

    ExampleSameNames

  • Pages and Objects in both the Project and Shared repositories can be renamed using the Rename Page or Rename Object options. However, after renaming, any existing test steps that previously referenced an SWO will continue to use its old name, which may result in errors during test execution.

  • Pages and Objects in both the Project and Shared repositories can be deleted using the Delete Page or Delete Object options. However, once deleted, any existing test steps that previously referenced an SWO or PWO will still attempt to use the removed Page or Object, which may result in errors during test execution.

  • To view all test cases that reference an Object within the project, use the Get Impacted Cases option. This feature is available for both Project and Shared repositories.

    ExampleImpactedTC

    Suggestion: Before renaming or deleting an object, please use the Get Impacted Cases option for checking.