WinAppDriver fails to find any element on Share Windows Store App Picker if using AccessibilityID but Inspect.exe sees it

[db-007]

WinAppDriver does not find elements by accessibility_id in a Windows Store Share dialog.

STEPS:
I have an application that lets me share log files

1. When I click on a button Share dialog pops up giving me windows store apps I can use to share my log file such as Mail, OneNote, etc
2. Any element having AutomationId, including Mail Windows Store App can not by found by AutomationId but can be found by Name (see attached image)
3. However, Inspect.exe app sees both Name and AutomationId (as per attached image)

Below is code sample using Name that works and code sample using AccessibilityID that fails.

CODE THAT FINDS ELEMENT USING NAME

When /^I see external element "([^\"]*)"$/ do |name|
		sleep(2.0)
		desktop_session_setup()
		item = $DesktopSession.find_elements(:name, name)[0]
		desktop_session_end()
	
		unless item != nil
			fail("External element with #{name} not shown.")
		end
end

CODE THAT FAILS TO FIND ELEMENT USING ACCESSIBILITYID

When /^I see external "([^\"]*)" by id$/ do |accessibility_id|
    sleep(2.0)
    
    desktop_session_setup()
    item = $DesktopSession.find_elements(:accessibility_id, accessibility_id)[0]
    desktop_session_end()
	
    unless item.displayed?
      fail("Item with id #{accessibility_id} not found.")
    end
end

[timotiusmargo]

Hi @db-007,

Thanks for the detail annotated screenshots that provide clear context of the issue. Would you be able to provide the log from WinAppDriver.exe for both find elements commands above? We would like to see the JSON wire protocol command generated and its payload from your script. E.g.

==========================================
POST /session/D4348D8A-BD5C-41F0-A216-9B0EB0557378/elements HTTP/1.1
Accept: application/json, image/png
Content-Length: 53
Content-Type: application/json;charset=utf-8
Host: 127.0.0.1:4723

{"using":"accessibility id","value":"AlarmPivotItem"}
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Length: 100
Content-Type: application/json

{"sessionId":"D4348D8A-BD5C-41F0-A216-9B0EB0557378","status":0,"value":[{"ELEMENT":"42.71938.3.3"}]}

[db-007]

@timotiusmargo how do I get you the log you need?

[timotiusmargo]

Typically, WinAppDriver.exe can run as a standalone program running as a console application logging all requests and responses in your machine under test. If you run other client on top such as Appium, the logs are normally embedded within the client log.

[db-007]

Sorry, but I am unable to find any logs

[AmrutaDJoshi]

I am facing similar issue

POST /session/DD0375E5-70D8-4EC4-8D92-908FF9FA88CB/element HTTP/1.1
Accept: application/json, image/png
Content-Length: 31
Content-Type: application/json;charset=utf-8
Host: 127.0.0.1:4723

{"using":"name","value":"ANPS"}
HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
Content-Length: 139
Content-Type: application/json

{"status":7,"value":{"error":"no such element","message":"An element could not be located on the page using the given search parameters."}}

==========================================
DELETE /session/DD0375E5-70D8-4EC4-8D92-908FF9FA88CB HTTP/1.1
Accept: application/json, image/png
Host: 127.0.0.1:4723

HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Length: 12
Content-Type: application/json

{"status":0}