Calling AutoIt Functions in Python

Question

I have seen this post mentioned there is an AutoIt3 COM version, and with it I can call AutoIt functions in Python.

I couldn't find the COM version at the AutoIt website. Is it hidden somewhere? How can I get it?

Answer 1

How to use AutoItX COM/DLL in python

There are two methods for using AutoIt in Python:

1. pyautoit module
2. python for windows extentions (pywin32)

The pyautoit module will make use of the DLL while with pywin32 we can use the COM. As far as I know, there is no functional difference between the two.

Prerequisites

1. An installation of python.
2. An installation of AutoIt.
3. An installation of either pyautoit or pywin32.

Not all AutoIt functions are available through the COM/DLL interface. To see which functions are, see the help file on AutoItX.

Pyautoit

Install via pip or your preferred method:

pip install -U pyautoit

If you get an error: WindowsError: [Error 193] %1 is not a valid Win32 application when installing pyautoit, use the 32 bit version of python. I haven't been able to get pyautoit to install using the 64 bit version of python. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Import and use:

import autoit

autoit.run("notepad.exe")
autoit.win_wait_active("[CLASS:Notepad]", 3)
autoit.control_send("[CLASS:Notepad]", "Edit1", "hello world{!}")
autoit.win_close("[CLASS:Notepad]")
autoit.control_click("[Class:#32770]", "Button2")

The autoit commands all use lower_case_with_underscores rather than AutoItX's preferred CamelCase. Thus ControlSend becomes control_send, WinClose becomes win_close, etc.

Pywin32

Once pywin32 is installed, call AutoItX functions by:

import win32com.client
autoit = win32com.client.Dispatch("AutoItX3.Control")

autoit.Run("NotePad.exe")
autoit.ControlClick(WINDOW, "", "[CLASSNN:TTreeView1]", "left", 1, 53, 41)

If you have trouble with this version, install everything as 32 bit and try again.