{"id":"e92b5b66-9cbb-46cb-94cf-cb9dac8d1fec","title":"AppleScript UI Element Structure","created_at":"2025-11-21T08:58:47Z","saved":true,"shared":true,"branch_id":"00000000-0000-4000-0000-000000000000","profile":{"id":null,"name":null,"subtitle":"State of the art deep research (>30 secs)","model":"ki_research","model_name":"Research","model_provider":"kagi","model_input_limit":1000000,"recommended":false,"model_info":"\n\n<div class=\"heading\">\n <div class=\"left\">\n \n \n \n <svg class=\"model-icon icon-xs\" data-model=\"ki_research\">\n <use href=\"#icon-kagi\"/>\n </svg>\n <h3>\n \n <span class=\"model-provider\">Kagi</span>\n \n <span class=\"model-name\">none</span>\n </h3>\n </div>\n\n \n <a href=\"/settings?p=custom_assistant&id=none\">\n <svg class=\"icon-sm edit-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n <use href=\"#icon-pencil\" />\n </svg>\n </a>\n \n</div>\n\n\n<hr />\n<ul>\n \n <li>\n <h4>\n Cost\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Expensive\">\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Quality\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 5 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Speed\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 1 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Privacy\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 4 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li class=\"divider\" aria-hidden=\"true\"></li>\n <li>\n <h4>Last updated</h4>\n <span class=\"date\">\n \n \n 2025-11-18\n \n \n </span>\n </li>\n \n</ul>\n","model_provider_name":"Kagi","internet_access":true,"personalizations":true,"shortcut":null,"is_default_profile":false},"tag_ids":[],"read_only":true}

[{"id":"1db5c249-e32a-4b75-af0a-b41fea456672","thread_id":"e92b5b66-9cbb-46cb-94cf-cb9dac8d1fec","created_at":"2025-11-21T08:58:47Z","state":"done","prompt":"In AppleScript I can tell the script to interact with UI elements with statements like \"tell group 1 of group 2 of splitter group 1 of group 1 of window 1 of application process \"System Settings\". How do I work out the structure of the UI I'm looking at so I can tell where groups are and which group number I need?","references_html":"<ol data-ref-list>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see\" >Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">apple.stackexchange.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 25%, transparent 25%)\">25%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066\" >Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 17%, transparent 17%)\">17%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146\" >Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">www.macscripter.net</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 13%, transparent 13%)\">13%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4\" >Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings... - MacScripter</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">www.macscripter.net</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 11%, transparent 11%)\">11%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements\" >macos - Applescript getting elements - Stack Overflow</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">stackoverflow.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 9%, transparent 9%)\">9%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443\" >OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 7%, transparent 7%)\">7%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842\" >How Do I Access Specific Window Elements (UI Scripting)? | Forum</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 7%, transparent 7%)\">7%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector\" >How to locate UI Button for AppleScript using Accessibility Inspector</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">apple.stackexchange.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 4%, transparent 4%)\">4%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" >applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">apple.stackexchange.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 3%, transparent 3%)\">3%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/\" >Alternatives to UI Browser? : r/applescript</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">www.reddit.com</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 2%, transparent 2%)\">2%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n <li>\n <a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344\" >Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings pane</a>\n <span class=\"__domain-name\">www.macscripter.net</span>\n <div class=\"trigger\" tabindex=\"0\">\n <span class=\"contribution\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--primary-70) 2%, transparent 2%)\">2%</span>\n <div class=\"tooltip top end tooltip_base tw-auto\">\n This percentage indicates how much a source has contributed to the answer.\n </div>\n </div>\n </li>\n \n</ol>\n","references_md":"[^1]: [Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see) (25%)\n[^2]: [Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066) (17%)\n[^3]: [Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...](https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146) (13%)\n[^4]: [Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings... - MacScripter](https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4) (11%)\n[^5]: [macos - Applescript getting elements - Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements) (9%)\n[^6]: [OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443) (7%)\n[^7]: [How Do I Access Specific Window Elements (UI Scripting)? | Forum](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842) (7%)\n[^8]: [How to locate UI Button for AppleScript using Accessibility Inspector](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector) (4%)\n[^9]: [applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other) (3%)\n[^10]: [Alternatives to UI Browser? : r/applescript](https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/) (2%)\n[^11]: [Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings pane](https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344) (2%)\n","reply":"<details><summary>Planned research</summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Search for AppleScript UI element inspection methods and tools</li>\n<li>Find specific techniques for discovering UI hierarchy in AppleScript</li>\n<li>Look for built-in AppleScript commands or third-party tools for UI element discovery</li>\n</ul>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Searched with Kagi<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li>AppleScript UI element inspection hierarchy discovery</li>\n<li>AppleScript accessibility inspector UI elements</li>\n<li>how to find UI element structure AppleScript</li></ul></summary><br>\nSources (15):<br>\n<strong>OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443\" target=\"_blank\">https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443</a><br>\nApr 17, 2016 Here is a free tool, provided by Apple, that will help you identify the UI elements you need to script.\n\n<p><strong>Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066\" target=\"_blank\">https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066</a><br>\nJun 13, 2016 See: Window Analysis Tool for System Events v1.5 in post #14. Hey Folks, This macro gets a bunch of information about the front window in the front application (specific to System Events UI-Scripting).Also see: The Hierarchical UI-Element View using Script Debugger. Also see: Alain's mod to enable code folding in BBEdit. Window Analysis Tool for System Events 1.00.kmmacros (3.5 KB).</p>\n<p><strong>How Do I Access Specific Window Elements (UI Scripting)? | Forum</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842\" target=\"_blank\">https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842</a><br>\nFeb 03, 2020 UI Browser will definitely make it easier to ID the window elements, and it generates the AppleScript to access a selected element. But it is not cheap. So, as an alternative, you can use Chris @ccstone's tool with SD7.In just read de Apple Script for Beginner you pointed me and is interesting to learn. I think the most difficcult part is to discover the name and hierarchy of certain item and the nane of the properties you want to change.</p>\n<p><strong>user interface - Use AppleScript to list the names of all UI elements ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting</a><br>\nNov 21, 2017 I'm looking for a way to get AppleScript itself to reveal the name it expects a specific piece of window content (UI element) to be referred to as in a \"tell\" ...</p>\n<p><strong>macos - Changing scrollbar visibility with Applescript... - Stack Overflow</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8810653/changing-scrollbar-visibility-with-applescript-in-lion\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8810653/changing-scrollbar-visibility-with-applescript-in-lion</a><br>\nJun 22, 2017 I am trying to write an applescript that would change the visibility of Lions scrollbar (System Preferences &gt; General). Normally I like to keep setting at \"Automatically based on input device\", but at home I use Wacom tablet, so I need to switch to Always. This is what I have so far: tell application \"System Preferences\" activate set current pane to pane \"com.apple.preference.general\" end tell tell application \"System Events\" if UI elements enabled then. try.</p>\n<p><strong>How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other</a><br>\nFeb 15, 2012 I'm trying to interact with a print dialog via Applescript. What I want to emulate is the user setting a value on a specific dropdown.</p>\n<p><strong>AppleScript – How can I <em>get</em> UI elements' names, attributes ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe</a><br>\n When I started to search for an AppleScript's generic way to \"click onto Safari's context menu\" of a selected item, there were a lot of questions on \"how-to\" on several levels of nomenclature. How can I, without having to use Accessibility Inspector, investigate what \"categories\" of AppleScript UI elements an application is offering and what additional details AppleScript knows about them?</p>\n<p><strong>Paths to UI elements in System Settings for Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript</a><br>\n Is there a good resource for learning how to generate paths to UI elements in System Settings for AppleScript? Specifically, I am trying to access the keyboard scrolling button in the Accessibility setting, so I can toggle it with AppleScript. Xcode's Accessibility Inspector gives a general path, but doesn't give clear detail (such as \". . . group 1 of splitter group 1 of group 2 of window 2 ...</p>\n<p><strong>How to locate UI Button for AppleScript using Accessibility Inspector</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector</a><br>\nApr 28, 2017 2 To get information about UI elements in Accessibility Inspector, you just need to hover the mouse over whichever UI element you want to know more about. For the purposes of closing this security warning, you need to be able to identify which button and which window.</p>\n<p><strong>Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see</a><br>\nJun 24, 2021 Accessibility Inspector Apple publish a graphical tool called Accessibility Inspector. It is designed to explore and test the accessibility values associated with an interface. This is the same information AppleScript uses for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Scripting: Accessibility Inspector makes it even easier to identify user interface element information. This app is included with Xcode ...</p>\n<p><strong>Use AppleScript to list the names of all UI elements in a ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting</a><br>\nNov 21, 2017 I'm looking for a way to get AppleScript itself to reveal the name it expects a specific piece of window content (UI element) to be referred to as in a \"tell\" ...</p>\n<p><strong>macos - Applescript getting elements - Stack Overflow</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements</a><br>\nDec 13, 2015 I found this piece of AppleScript that apparently retrieves every UI element available in a Window: tell application \"System Events\" tell process \"Process Name\" set visible to true return every UI element of front window return name of every UI element of front window end tell end tell. (Haven't tested myself yet.AppleScript code. 0. Clicking an UI unknown element: I'm getting \"missing value\". 0. Selecting multiple UI Elements from an applescript via UI scripting.</p>\n<p><strong>cocoa - How Get UI Elements of a Window? Swift - Stack Overflow</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69002718/how-get-ui-elements-of-a-window-swift\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69002718/how-get-ui-elements-of-a-window-swift</a><br>\nAug 31, 2021 3. How Translate this AppleScript code to Swift ? tell application \"System Events\" to tell process \"Safari\" to get UI elements of first window. I already reached to first window of \"Safari\", but I don't know how to get the UI Elements. let pid = NSWorkspace.shared.runningApplications.first(where: {$0.localizedName == \"Safari\"})?.processIdentifier let appRef = AXUIElementCreateApplication(pid!) var windows: AnyObject? _ =</p>\n<p><strong>Can't find UI Hierarchy - AppleScript | Mac OS X</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/cant-find-ui-hierarchy/62213\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/cant-find-ui-hierarchy/62213</a><br>\nDec 23, 2022 I'm trying to create a script that will select the connect button from that menu but every method I've used to try to find the hierarchy of the menu item comes ...</p>\n<p><strong>Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146</a><br>\n Here is a script I wrote awhile back to get all the UI Elements of process. It is best to run it in Script Debugger so you can peruse the results easily as it is a nested list. use AppleScript version \"2.4\" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later use scripting additions --use script \"ListSortingLib\" -- script library property UI_Elements : missing value tell application \"System Events\" set processList to ...</p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Contemplated</summary><br>\n The search results show several key methods for discovering UI element structure in AppleScript:<p></p>\n<ol>\n<li>Apple's Accessibility Inspector (comes with Xcode) - mentioned multiple times</li>\n<li>UI Browser (third-party paid tool) - generates AppleScript code</li>\n<li>AppleScript commands to list UI elements programmatically</li>\n<li>Script Debugger for hierarchical UI element view</li>\n</ol>\n<p>I should get more specific information about these methods, particularly the built-in AppleScript commands and the Accessibility Inspector since those are free options.</p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Searched with Kagi<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li>AppleScript System Events every UI element window hierarchy</li>\n<li>Accessibility Inspector Xcode UI element path AppleScript</li>\n<li>AppleScript get properties attributes UI elements</li></ul></summary><br>\nSources (12):<br>\n<strong>Retrieving all UI Elements from window with Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028\" target=\"_blank\">https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028</a><br>\nOct 03, 2012 I want to retrieve all the ui elements from one of the window in runtime with Applescript. The problem is in order to get the elements of the particular window ...\n\n<p><strong>Trouble with main window in AppleScript S… - Apple Community</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2364181\" target=\"_blank\">https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2364181</a><br>\nOct 15, 2016 When using <em>System Events</em>, you need to specify the full element hierarchy, which includes the application name - you shouldn't need to use <em>System Events</em> to access your application's UI elements though, since it already knows them. Is the window named and attached to your script in Interface Builder?I try to remove the use of \"System Events\" using this code: set focused of text view \"tName\" of window MyWin. but return an AppleScript error: \"Can’t make focused of button \"Cancella\" of window \"main\" into type reference.</p>\n<p><strong>Retrieving all UI Elements from window wi… - Apple Community</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028?page=2\" target=\"_blank\">https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028?page=2</a><br>\nMar 29, 2018 For eg: if the hierarchy level is 3, i can get the UI elemets like.. ui elements of ui elements of ui elements of window 1.. this works fine. but i want to repeat the same statement in loop, till i get some elements, how do i achieve the same?? I tried the below code its not working for me... Pls suggest. set allButtons to {}. set i to 0. tell application \"System Events\". tell process \"Install Adobe Reader\".</p>\n<p><strong>Use AppleScript to list the names of all UI elements in a window (GUI ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting</a><br>\nJun 22, 2017 I'm looking for a way to get AppleScript itself to reveal the name it expects a specific piece of window content (UI element) to be referred to as in a \"tell\" ...</p>\n<p><strong>Paths to UI elements in System Settings for Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript</a><br>\nJun 18, 2023 Xcode's Accessibility Inspector gives a general path, but doesn't give clear detail (such as \". . . group 1 of splitter group 1 of group 2 of ...</p>\n<p><strong>applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other</a><br>\nFeb 16, 2012 Here's a link to another page in Ask Different that's linked to the current page, called: AppleScript – How can I get UI elements' names, attributes, properties, classes programmatically without “guessing” via Accessibility Inspector?</p>\n<p><strong>Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see</a><br>\nJun 24, 2021 Accessibility Inspector Apple publish a graphical tool called Accessibility Inspector. It is designed to explore and test the accessibility values associated with an interface. This is the same information AppleScript uses for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Scripting: Accessibility Inspector makes it even easier to identify user interface element information. This app is included with Xcode ...</p>\n<p><strong>Accessibility Inspector | Apple Developer Documentation</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://developer.apple.com/documentation/accessibility/accessibility-inspector\" target=\"_blank\">https://developer.apple.com/documentation/accessibility/accessibility-inspector</a><br>\nDec 20, 2023 Overview Use Accessibility Inspector to display, query, and test accessibility information for the elements in your app’s view hierarchy. Audit your app to confirm that it addresses accessibility issues such as clipped text and unlabeled elements, and uses appropriate text size and color contrast levels.</p>\n<p><strong>script - AppleScript – How can I <em>get</em> UI elements' names, ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe</a><br>\nOct 28, 2018 This is a study –an attempt– to find pragmatic ways to identify and \"use\" AS's UI elements. Code below works in principle but must be adapted to individ. case.</p>\n<p><strong>applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other</a><br>\nFeb 16, 2012 Here's a link to another page in Ask Different that's linked to the current page, called: AppleScript – How can I get UI elements' names, attributes, properties, classes programmatically without “guessing” via Accessibility Inspector?</p>\n<p><strong>Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see</a><br>\nJun 24, 2021 AppleScript can see pretty much all the UI elements via System Events, but to get items in a manageable form, instead of just throwing everything into a box, you really should traverse the hierarchy of the desired element (s).</p>\n<p><strong>Paths to UI elements in System Settings for Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript</a><br>\n 1 Is there a good resource for learning how to generate paths to UI elements in System Settings for AppleScript? Specifically, I am trying to access the keyboard scrolling button in the Accessibility setting, so I can toggle it with AppleScript.</p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Contemplated</summary><br>\n I'm getting some useful information but need more specific details about the actual AppleScript commands and techniques. Let me search for more specific examples of AppleScript code that lists UI elements and their properties, and also get more details about using Accessibility Inspector.<p></p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Gathered key details from:<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">user interface - Use AppleScript to list the names of all UI elements in a window (GUI scripting) - Stack Overflow</a></li></ul></summary>\n\n<h3>Query</h3>\n<p>What are the specific AppleScript commands to list all UI elements in a window hierarchy and get their properties? How do you use \"every UI element\" and get properties like class, name, and description?</p>\n<h3>Response</h3>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Searched with Kagi<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li>AppleScript UI element class name description properties</li>\n<li>System Events get entire contents UI elements</li>\n<li>AppleScript UI Browser alternative free tools</li></ul></summary><br>\nSources (12):<br>\n<strong>script - AppleScript – How can I <em>get</em> UI elements' names, ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe</a><br>\nOct 28, 2018 This is a study –an attempt– to find pragmatic ways to identify and \"use\" AS's UI elements. Code below works in principle but must be adapted to individ. case.\n\n<p><strong>applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other</a><br>\nFeb 16, 2012 Here's a link to another page in Ask Different that's linked to the current page, called: AppleScript – How can I get UI elements' names, attributes, properties, classes programmatically without “guessing” via Accessibility Inspector?</p>\n<p><strong>AppleScript UI Scripting and click - Ask Different</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/315086/applescript-ui-scripting-and-click\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/315086/applescript-ui-scripting-and-click</a><br>\nFeb 11, 2018 7. AppleScript – How can I <em>get</em> UI elements' names, attributes, properties, classes programmatically without \"guessing\" via AccessibilityInspector? 1. How to create Automator workflow to paste in authentication code within a GUI app?Ventura: AppleScript to Automatically Change Wi-Fi Networks. 2. Ventura, automatically close all \"Disk Not Ejected Property\" notifications?</p>\n<p><strong>Paths to UI elements in System Settings for Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/461205/paths-to-ui-elements-in-system-settings-for-applescript</a><br>\n Is there a good resource for learning how to generate paths to UI elements in System Settings for AppleScript? Specifically, I am trying to access the keyboard scrolling button in the Accessibility setting, so I can toggle it with AppleScript.</p>\n<p><strong>Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings pane</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344</a><br>\nAug 20, 2025 I can gather the UIElements 'entire contents' after scrolling I get a new unique set, but I can't compare them to the other already-listed ...</p>\n<p><strong>Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings... - MacScripter</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4</a><br>\nAug 29, 2025 I can script the AXScrollToVisible to bring additional elements into retrievable range. I can gather the UIElements ‘entire contents’ after scrolling I get a new unique set, but I can’t compare them to the other already-listed UIElements with something like… if localUIElementList does not contain curLocalUIElement then set the end of localUIElementList to curLocalUIElement. ’ …because \"“Can’t make «class asDB» id (application \"System Events\"...</p>\n<p><strong>Can't get Window - AppleScript | Mac OS X - MacScripter</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/cant-get-window/69627\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/cant-get-window/69627</a><br>\nMar 24, 2016 tell application \"System Events\" tell process \"Tableau\" tell front window set stuff to entire contents of every UI element end tell value of item 8 of item 4 of stuff end tell end tell. Expected (hoped?) to get the “Refreshing…” text back. The goal is that I can watch for that to see when a refresh process is complete. No matter what I try it unfortunately returns the error</p>\n<p><strong>UI Elements shown in Accessibility Instructor not found... - MacScripter</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/ui-elements-shown-in-accessibility-instructor-not-found-by-ui-script/70951\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.macscripter.net/t/ui-elements-shown-in-accessibility-instructor-not-found-by-ui-script/70951</a><br>\nMar 07, 2018 “System Events got an error: Can’t get window ‘Channels’ of application process ‘ICISS Scanner.’” At this point I’ve given up on this - I’ve used Accessibility Inspector, UI Browser, and Script Editor to read UI elements from this app and try to script interaction, and not a single UI widget ever responds to as single thing I try.I get the location of the UI widgets from reading the GUI elements with System Events and then perform clicks with AppleScript Toolbox, running embedded in the script.</p>\n<p><strong>Alternatives to UI Browser? : r/applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/</a><br>\nNov 21, 2023 Anyone have any recommendations for suitable alternatives? I've looked at the built in macOS Accessibility Inspector, but it's not nearly as helpful.</p>\n<p><strong>Alternative to UIBrowser : r/applescript - Reddit</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/oltao2/alternative_to_uibrowser/\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/oltao2/alternative_to_uibrowser/</a><br>\n I am wondering if there is an open-source alternative to UIBrowser. Or is there a manual way of doing what it does (eg. identify elements that can be clicked on) so that I can use this in my Applescript? For example, how do I tell Applescript to click this button?</p>\n<p><strong>Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Apple Script Editor</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://www.linuxlinks.com/best-free-open-source-alternatives-apple-script-editor/\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.linuxlinks.com/best-free-open-source-alternatives-apple-script-editor/</a><br>\nAug 26, 2023 Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Apple Script Editor · 1. Autokey · 2. SikuliX · 3. Actiona.</p>\n<p><strong>Open Source AppleScript Browser Extensions and Plugins</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://sourceforge.net/directory/browser-extensions-and-plugins/applescript/\" target=\"_blank\">https://sourceforge.net/directory/browser-extensions-and-plugins/applescript/</a><br>\nApr 17, 2023 Compare the best free open source AppleScript Browser Extensions and Plugins at SourceForge. List of free, secure and fast AppleScript Browser Extensions and Plugins , projects, software, and downloads.</p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Contemplated</summary><br>\n I'm getting some good information but I need more specific details about the actual AppleScript commands. Let me search for more concrete examples of AppleScript code that shows how to list UI elements and their properties, and also get information about the \"entire contents\" command which seems to be important.<p></p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Gathered key details from:<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146\" target=\"_blank\">getting the child elements of a window</a></li></ul></summary>\n\n<h3>Query</h3>\n<p>What specific AppleScript commands can be used to explore UI element hierarchy? Show examples of using \"entire contents\", \"every UI element\", and getting properties like class, name, and description of UI elements.</p>\n<h3>Response</h3>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Searched with Kagi<p></p>\n<ul>\n<li>AppleScript entire contents UI elements example code</li>\n<li>System Events get class name description UI element properties</li></ul></summary><br>\nSources (8):<br>\n<strong>Use AppleScript to list the names of all UI elements in a ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42231133/use-applescript-to-list-the-names-of-all-ui-elements-in-a-window-gui-scripting</a><br>\nNov 21, 2017 I'm looking for a way to get AppleScript itself to reveal the name it expects a specific piece of window content (UI element) to be referred to as in a \"tell\" ...\n\n<p><strong>handler - applescript click every element via gui... - Stack Overflow</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3038411/applescript-click-every-element-via-gui-scripting\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3038411/applescript-click-every-element-via-gui-scripting</a><br>\nJun 22, 2017 The code that I wrote below isn't working. Specifically, I get the error process \"iTunes\" doesn’t understand the click_an_element message. Thoughts on what I'm doing wrong? Thanks!! tell application \"iTunes\" to activate tell application \"System Events\" tell process \"iTunes\". set elements to get entire contents of window \"iTunes\".</p>\n<p><strong>Class based selectors for AppleScript list items failing for UI element...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10659994/class-based-selectors-for-applescript-list-items-failing-for-ui-element-objects\" target=\"_blank\">https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10659994/class-based-selectors-for-applescript-list-items-failing-for-ui-element-objects</a><br>\nOct 02, 2013 Getting the UI elements from the application results in a list of object specifiers: application objects (a form of nested containers) where each item in the hierarchy has several properties, including a class – Technical Note TN2106 might shed more light on this –, while your first example used a file URL (a type of file reference) which has a base class. So you will need to use either an application filter reference form when getting the objects from the application or query the desired properties of the returned objects, for example</p>\n<p><strong>Retrieving all UI Elements from window with Applescript</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028\" target=\"_blank\">https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4390028</a><br>\nOct 03, 2012 I want to retrieve all the ui elements from one of the window in runtime with Applescript. The problem is in order to get the elements of the particular window ...</p>\n<p><strong>script - AppleScript – How can I <em>get</em> UI elements' names, ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/340942/applescript-how-can-i-get-ui-elements-names-attributes-properties-classe</a><br>\nOct 28, 2018 This is a study –an attempt– to find pragmatic ways to identify and \"use\" AS's UI elements. Code below works in principle but must be adapted to individ. case.</p>\n<p><strong>How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other\" target=\"_blank\">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other</a><br>\nFeb 15, 2012 I'm trying to interact with a print dialog via Applescript. What I want to emulate is the user setting a value on a specific dropdown.</p>\n<p><strong>Get UI Automation Element Properties - .NET Framework</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/ui-automation/get-ui-automation-element-properties\" target=\"_blank\">https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/ui-automation/get-ui-automation-element-properties</a><br>\nJun 01, 2017 See instructions and an example that shows how to retrieve current or cached properties of a UI Automation element.</p>\n<p><strong>AutomationElement.ClassNameProperty Field</strong><br>\n<a href=\"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.windows.automation.automationelement.classnameproperty?view=windowsdesktop-9.0\" target=\"_blank\">https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.windows.automation.automationelement.classnameproperty?view=windowsdesktop-9.0</a><br>\n This identifier is used by UI Automation client applications. UI Automation providers should use the equivalent identifier in AutomationElementIdentifiers.</p>\n</details>\n<details><summary>Planning response.</summary><br>\n The search results and librarian calls have provided good information about methods for discovering UI element structure in AppleScript. Key findings include:<p></p>\n<ol>\n<li>Apple's Accessibility Inspector (free, comes with Xcode) - mentioned multiple times as the primary tool</li>\n<li>UI Browser (paid third-party tool) - generates AppleScript code automatically</li>\n<li>Built-in AppleScript commands like \"entire contents\", \"every UI element\" to programmatically explore hierarchy</li>\n<li>Getting properties like class, name, description of UI elements</li>\n<li>Script Debugger for better visualization of results</li>\n</ol>\n<p>The information covers both free and paid options, with practical AppleScript code examples.</p>\n<p>I'll structure the response to cover the main methods for discovering UI element structure:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Apple's Accessibility Inspector</strong> (free, built-in option)</p>\n<ul>\n<li>How to access and use it</li>\n<li>What information it provides</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Built-in AppleScript commands</strong> (programmatic approach)</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using \"entire contents\" and \"every UI element\"</li>\n<li>Getting properties like class, name, description</li>\n<li>Example code snippets</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Third-party tools</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>UI Browser (paid but powerful)</li>\n<li>Other alternatives</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Best practices and tips</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using Script Debugger for better results visualization</li>\n<li>Common challenges and solutions</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>This covers both free and paid options, from simple to advanced approaches.</p>\n<p>Use a structured format with clear headings for each method. Include practical code examples in code blocks. Use a table for comparing the different tools/methods. Emphasize the free options first since they're most accessible to users.</p>\n</details><p>There are several methods to discover the UI element structure in AppleScript, ranging from free built-in tools to powerful third-party applications. Here are the main approaches:</p>\n<h2>1. Apple's Accessibility Inspector (Free)</h2>\n<p>The <strong>Accessibility Inspector</strong> is Apple's built-in tool that comes with Xcode and is specifically designed for exploring UI element hierarchies<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\">6</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>6. OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a free tool, provided by Apple, that will help you identify the UI elements you need to script.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\">1</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJQlYEF0p9t9cNIutaZPOD6guQU8BHxezu2Cvp7g5z1nwXFk6bWorHr7n1DbFODVoF\"> apple.stackexchange.com</span><b>1. Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Accessibility Inspector Apple publish a graphical tool called Accessibility Inspector. It is designed to explore and test the accessibility values associated with an interface. This is the same information AppleScript uses for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Scripting: Accessibility Inspector makes it even easier to identify user interface element information. This app is included with Xcode ...</span></span></sup>.</p>\n<p><strong>How to access it:</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Install Xcode from the Mac App Store (if not already installed)</li>\n<li>Open Xcode → Developer Tools → Accessibility Inspector</li>\n<li>Or search for \"Accessibility Inspector\" in Spotlight</li>\n</ul>\n<p><strong>How to use it:</strong></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Launch the app you want to script</li>\n<li>In Accessibility Inspector, hover over any UI element</li>\n<li>The inspector shows the element's properties, hierarchy path, and accessibility information<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector#:~:text=2%20To,which%20window.\">8</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/139433/how-to-locate-ui-button-for-applescript-using-accessibility-inspector#:~:text=2%20To,which%20window.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJQlYEF0p9t9cNIutaZPOD6guQU8BHxezu2Cvp7g5z1nwXFk6bWorHr7n1DbFODVoF\"> apple.stackexchange.com</span><b>8. How to locate UI Button for AppleScript using Accessibility Inspector</b></a><span class=\"passage\">2 To get information about UI elements in Accessibility Inspector, you just need to hover the mouse over whichever UI element you want to know more about. For the purposes of closing this security warning, you need to be able to identify which button and which window.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other#:~:text=Here%27s%20a,Accessibility%20Inspector%3F\">9</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/40436/how-to-know-the-name-of-ui-elements-using-accessibility-inspector-or-any-other#:~:text=Here%27s%20a,Accessibility%20Inspector%3F\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJQlYEF0p9t9cNIutaZPOD6guQU8BHxezu2Cvp7g5z1nwXFk6bWorHr7n1DbFODVoF\"> apple.stackexchange.com</span><b>9. applescript - How to know the name of UI elements using Accessibility ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here's a link to another page in Ask Different that's linked to the current page, called: AppleScript – How can I get UI elements' names, attributes, properties, classes programmatically without “guessing” via Accessibility Inspector?</span></span></sup></li>\n</ul>\n<h2>2. Built-in AppleScript Commands (Programmatic)</h2>\n<p>You can use AppleScript itself to explore UI element structure programmatically<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements#:~:text=I%20found,UI%20scripting.\">5</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements#:~:text=I%20found,UI%20scripting.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJrN94MAGqYPlcQNXHDBYc5aLbfREbHukc4f9EOHQ1MdU%3D\"> stackoverflow.com</span><b>5. macos - Applescript getting elements - Stack Overflow</b></a><span class=\"passage\">I found this piece of AppleScript that apparently retrieves every UI element available in a Window: tell application \"System Events\" tell process \"Process Name\" set visible to true return every UI element of front window return name of every UI element of front window end tell end tell. (Haven't tested myself yet.AppleScript code. 0. Clicking an UI unknown element: I'm getting \"missing value\". 0. Selecting multiple UI Elements from an applescript via UI scripting.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\">3</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>3. Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a script I wrote awhile back to get all the UI Elements of process. It is best to run it in Script Debugger so you can peruse the results easily as it is a nested list. use AppleScript version \"2.4\" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later use scripting additions --use script \"ListSortingLib\" -- script library property UI_Elements : missing value tell application \"System Events\" set processList to ...</span></span></sup>:</p>\n<h3>Basic UI Element Listing</h3>\n<div class=\"codehilite\"><span class=\"filename\">Plaintext</span><pre><span></span><code>tell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\" -- or your target app\n -- Get all UI elements in the front window\n set allElements to every UI element of front window\n return allElements\n end tell\nend tell\n</code></pre></div>\n<h3>Get Detailed Element Information</h3>\n<div class=\"codehilite\"><span class=\"filename\">Plaintext</span><pre><span></span><code>tell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Get the entire contents (all nested elements)\n set allContents to entire contents\n\n -- Get properties of specific elements\n repeat with anElement in allContents\n try\n set elementClass to class of anElement\n set elementName to name of anElement\n set elementDescription to description of anElement\n -- Log or process this information\n on error\n -- Some elements may not have all properties\n end try\n end repeat\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n</code></pre></div>\n<h3>Explore Element Hierarchy</h3>\n<div class=\"codehilite\"><span class=\"filename\">Plaintext</span><pre><span></span><code>tell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Get UI elements at different levels\n set level1 to every UI element\n set level2 to every UI element of every UI element\n set level3 to every UI element of every UI element of every UI element\n\n return {level1, level2, level3}\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n</code></pre></div>\n<h2>3. Third-Party Tools</h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Tool</th>\n<th>Cost</th>\n<th>Features</th>\n</tr>\n</thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>UI Browser</strong></td>\n<td>Paid (~$55)</td>\n<td>Generates AppleScript code automatically, hierarchical view, element properties<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842#:~:text=UI%20Browser,to%20change.\">7</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/how-do-i-access-specific-window-elements-ui-scripting/16842#:~:text=UI%20Browser,to%20change.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>7. How Do I Access Specific Window Elements (UI Scripting)? | Forum</b></a><span class=\"passage\">UI Browser will definitely make it easier to ID the window elements, and it generates the AppleScript to access a selected element. But it is not cheap. So, as an alternative, you can use Chris @ccstone's tool with SD7.In just read de Apple Script for Beginner you pointed me and is interesting to learn. I think the most difficcult part is to discover the name and hierarchy of certain item and the nane of the properties you want to change.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/#:~:text=Anyone%20have,as%20helpful.\">10</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/applescript/comments/109s9ri/alternatives_to_ui_browser/#:~:text=Anyone%20have,as%20helpful.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJ-2ZqqXgwT-m6vcvZX_2cUpJsqUJgY5hpLDppjAB8i98%3D\"> www.reddit.com</span><b>10. Alternatives to UI Browser? : r/applescript</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Anyone have any recommendations for suitable alternatives? I've looked at the built in macOS Accessibility Inspector, but it's not nearly as helpful.</span></span></sup></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Script Debugger</strong></td>\n<td>Paid</td>\n<td>Better visualization of AppleScript results, hierarchical UI element view<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\">2</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>2. Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">See: Window Analysis Tool for System Events v1.5 in post #14. Hey Folks, This macro gets a bunch of information about the front window in the front application (specific to System Events UI-Scripting).Also see: The Hierarchical UI-Element View using Script Debugger. Also see: Alain's mod to enable code folding in BBEdit. Window Analysis Tool for System Events 1.00.kmmacros (3.5 KB).</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\">3</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>3. Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a script I wrote awhile back to get all the UI Elements of process. It is best to run it in Script Debugger so you can peruse the results easily as it is a nested list. use AppleScript version \"2.4\" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later use scripting additions --use script \"ListSortingLib\" -- script library property UI_Elements : missing value tell application \"System Events\" set processList to ...</span></span></sup></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<h2>4. Best Practices and Tips</h2>\n<h3>Using Script Debugger for Better Results</h3>\n<p>When running the AppleScript commands above, <strong>Script Debugger</strong> provides much better visualization of the nested results than the standard Script Editor<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\">2</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>2. Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">See: Window Analysis Tool for System Events v1.5 in post #14. Hey Folks, This macro gets a bunch of information about the front window in the front application (specific to System Events UI-Scripting).Also see: The Hierarchical UI-Element View using Script Debugger. Also see: Alain's mod to enable code folding in BBEdit. Window Analysis Tool for System Events 1.00.kmmacros (3.5 KB).</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\">3</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>3. Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a script I wrote awhile back to get all the UI Elements of process. It is best to run it in Script Debugger so you can peruse the results easily as it is a nested list. use AppleScript version \"2.4\" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later use scripting additions --use script \"ListSortingLib\" -- script library property UI_Elements : missing value tell application \"System Events\" set processList to ...</span></span></sup>.</p>\n<h3>Common Challenges</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Elements not visible</strong>: Some UI elements may not be accessible until they're visible on screen<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4#:~:text=I%20can,%22System%20Events%22\">4</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4#:~:text=I%20can,%22System%20Events%22\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>4. Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings... - MacScripter</b></a><span class=\"passage\">I can script the AXScrollToVisible to bring additional elements into retrievable range. I can gather the UIElements ‘entire contents’ after scrolling I get a new unique set, but I can’t compare them to the other already-listed UIElements with something like… if localUIElementList does not contain curLocalUIElement then set the end of localUIElementList to curLocalUIElement. ’ …because \"“Can’t make «class asDB» id (application \"System Events\"...</span></span></sup></li>\n<li><strong>Dynamic content</strong>: UI structure can change based on app state<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344#:~:text=I%20can,other%20already-listed\">11</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344#:~:text=I%20can,other%20already-listed\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>11. Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings pane</b></a><span class=\"passage\">I can gather the UIElements 'entire contents' after scrolling I get a new unique set, but I can't compare them to the other already-listed ...</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4#:~:text=I%20can,%22System%20Events%22\">4</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/help-returning-all-uielements-from-a-system-settings-pane/77344/4#:~:text=I%20can,%22System%20Events%22\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>4. Help returning ALL UIElements from a System Settings... - MacScripter</b></a><span class=\"passage\">I can script the AXScrollToVisible to bring additional elements into retrievable range. I can gather the UIElements ‘entire contents’ after scrolling I get a new unique set, but I can’t compare them to the other already-listed UIElements with something like… if localUIElementList does not contain curLocalUIElement then set the end of localUIElementList to curLocalUIElement. ’ …because \"“Can’t make «class asDB» id (application \"System Events\"...</span></span></sup></li>\n<li><strong>Timing issues</strong>: Allow time for windows to fully load before querying elements</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Recommended Workflow</h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with Accessibility Inspector</strong> for quick exploration<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\">6</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>6. OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a free tool, provided by Apple, that will help you identify the UI elements you need to script.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\">1</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJQlYEF0p9t9cNIutaZPOD6guQU8BHxezu2Cvp7g5z1nwXFk6bWorHr7n1DbFODVoF\"> apple.stackexchange.com</span><b>1. Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Accessibility Inspector Apple publish a graphical tool called Accessibility Inspector. It is designed to explore and test the accessibility values associated with an interface. This is the same information AppleScript uses for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Scripting: Accessibility Inspector makes it even easier to identify user interface element information. This app is included with Xcode ...</span></span></sup></li>\n<li><strong>Use AppleScript commands</strong> to get the exact hierarchy programmatically<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements#:~:text=I%20found,UI%20scripting.\">5</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11708459/applescript-getting-elements#:~:text=I%20found,UI%20scripting.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJrN94MAGqYPlcQNXHDBYc5aLbfREbHukc4f9EOHQ1MdU%3D\"> stackoverflow.com</span><b>5. macos - Applescript getting elements - Stack Overflow</b></a><span class=\"passage\">I found this piece of AppleScript that apparently retrieves every UI element available in a Window: tell application \"System Events\" tell process \"Process Name\" set visible to true return every UI element of front window return name of every UI element of front window end tell end tell. (Haven't tested myself yet.AppleScript code. 0. Clicking an UI unknown element: I'm getting \"missing value\". 0. Selecting multiple UI Elements from an applescript via UI scripting.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\">3</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://www.macscripter.net/t/getting-the-child-elements-of-a-window/77146#:~:text=Here%20is,processList%20to\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJbkm-DTkDj2JEdO4bdxhpQ9PT1g1NUOTt-tkHd8qsgk4TlNrXZFHiTmBZszzZhMRX\"> www.macscripter.net</span><b>3. Getting the child elements of a window - AppleScript | Mac OS X ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a script I wrote awhile back to get all the UI Elements of process. It is best to run it in Script Debugger so you can peruse the results easily as it is a nested list. use AppleScript version \"2.4\" -- Yosemite (10.10) or later use scripting additions --use script \"ListSortingLib\" -- script library property UI_Elements : missing value tell application \"System Events\" set processList to ...</span></span></sup></li>\n<li><strong>Test your paths</strong> incrementally (e.g., first get <code>group 1</code>, then <code>group 1 of group 2</code>, etc.)</li>\n<li><strong>Use Script Debugger</strong> if available for better result visualization<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\">2</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/front-window-analysis-tool-using-applescript-system-events-list-ui-elements/4066#:~:text=See%3A%20Window,%283.5%20KB%29.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>2. Front Window Analysis Tool Using AppleScript System Events (List UI...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">See: Window Analysis Tool for System Events v1.5 in post #14. Hey Folks, This macro gets a bunch of information about the front window in the front application (specific to System Events UI-Scripting).Also see: The Hierarchical UI-Element View using Script Debugger. Also see: Alain's mod to enable code folding in BBEdit. Window Analysis Tool for System Events 1.00.kmmacros (3.5 KB).</span></span></sup></li>\n</ol>\n<h3>Example: Finding System Settings Elements</h3>\n<div class=\"codehilite\"><span class=\"filename\">Plaintext</span><pre><span></span><code>tell application \"System Settings\" to activate\ndelay 1 -- Allow time to load\n\ntell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Start broad and narrow down\n set mainGroups to every group\n\n -- Examine the first few groups\n repeat with i from 1 to (count of mainGroups)\n try\n set groupInfo to \"Group \" &amp; i &amp; \": \" &amp; (class of item i of mainGroups) as string\n -- Log this information\n on error\n -- Handle elements that can't be accessed\n end try\n end repeat\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n</code></pre></div>\n<p>The <strong>Accessibility Inspector</strong> is usually the fastest way to get started, while the programmatic AppleScript approach gives you the most control and doesn't require additional software purchases<sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\">6</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/os-x-accessibility-inspector-uielementinspector-tool-for-ui-scripting/3443#:~:text=Here%20is,to%20script.\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJVPV2vZ_1ZhGqeYDIUbPh0qGy_kAxoNgi_OR3e7iwcOlgMq05EJZO-1GjYAFFMvQ0\"> forum.keyboardmaestro.com</span><b>6. OS X Accessibility Inspector (UIElementInspector) Tool for ...</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Here is a free tool, provided by Apple, that will help you identify the UI elements you need to script.</span></span></sup><sup class=\"trigger\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\">1</a><span class=\"tooltip top center citation\"><a href=\"https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/422987/unscriptable-apps-using-applescript-what-can-applescript-see#:~:text=Accessibility%20Inspector,with%20Xcode\"><span class=\"source\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"/proxy/favicons?c=lQ30-cxV_E2Vdyqb6hrbuYgId7qu7hecjO7o1T7aqQDFc7XpcLttL1Ryala-GNHJQlYEF0p9t9cNIutaZPOD6guQU8BHxezu2Cvp7g5z1nwXFk6bWorHr7n1DbFODVoF\"> apple.stackexchange.com</span><b>1. Unscriptable apps using AppleScript. What can Applescript see?</b></a><span class=\"passage\">Accessibility Inspector Apple publish a graphical tool called Accessibility Inspector. It is designed to explore and test the accessibility values associated with an interface. This is the same information AppleScript uses for Graphical User Interface (GUI) Scripting: Accessibility Inspector makes it even easier to identify user interface element information. This app is included with Xcode ...</span></span></sup>.</p>","md":"There are several methods to discover the UI element structure in AppleScript, ranging from free built-in tools to powerful third-party applications. Here are the main approaches:\n\n## 1. Apple's Accessibility Inspector (Free)\n\nThe **Accessibility Inspector** is Apple's built-in tool that comes with Xcode and is specifically designed for exploring UI element hierarchies[^6][^1].\n\n**How to access it:**\n- Install Xcode from the Mac App Store (if not already installed)\n- Open Xcode → Developer Tools → Accessibility Inspector\n- Or search for \"Accessibility Inspector\" in Spotlight\n\n**How to use it:**\n- Launch the app you want to script\n- In Accessibility Inspector, hover over any UI element\n- The inspector shows the element's properties, hierarchy path, and accessibility information[^8][^9]\n\n## 2. Built-in AppleScript Commands (Programmatic)\n\nYou can use AppleScript itself to explore UI element structure programmatically[^5][^3]:\n\n### Basic UI Element Listing\n```applescript\ntell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\" -- or your target app\n -- Get all UI elements in the front window\n set allElements to every UI element of front window\n return allElements\n end tell\nend tell\n```\n\n### Get Detailed Element Information\n```applescript\ntell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Get the entire contents (all nested elements)\n set allContents to entire contents\n \n -- Get properties of specific elements\n repeat with anElement in allContents\n try\n set elementClass to class of anElement\n set elementName to name of anElement\n set elementDescription to description of anElement\n -- Log or process this information\n on error\n -- Some elements may not have all properties\n end try\n end repeat\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n```\n\n### Explore Element Hierarchy\n```applescript\ntell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Get UI elements at different levels\n set level1 to every UI element\n set level2 to every UI element of every UI element\n set level3 to every UI element of every UI element of every UI element\n \n return {level1, level2, level3}\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n```\n\n## 3. Third-Party Tools\n\n| Tool | Cost | Features |\n|------|------|----------|\n| **UI Browser** | Paid (~$55) | Generates AppleScript code automatically, hierarchical view, element properties[^7][^10] |\n| **Script Debugger** | Paid | Better visualization of AppleScript results, hierarchical UI element view[^2][^3] |\n\n## 4. Best Practices and Tips\n\n### Using Script Debugger for Better Results\nWhen running the AppleScript commands above, **Script Debugger** provides much better visualization of the nested results than the standard Script Editor[^2][^3].\n\n### Common Challenges\n- **Elements not visible**: Some UI elements may not be accessible until they're visible on screen[^4]\n- **Dynamic content**: UI structure can change based on app state[^11][^4]\n- **Timing issues**: Allow time for windows to fully load before querying elements\n\n### Recommended Workflow\n1. **Start with Accessibility Inspector** for quick exploration[^6][^1]\n2. **Use AppleScript commands** to get the exact hierarchy programmatically[^5][^3]\n3. **Test your paths** incrementally (e.g., first get `group 1`, then `group 1 of group 2`, etc.)\n4. **Use Script Debugger** if available for better result visualization[^2]\n\n### Example: Finding System Settings Elements\n```applescript\ntell application \"System Settings\" to activate\ndelay 1 -- Allow time to load\n\ntell application \"System Events\"\n tell process \"System Settings\"\n tell front window\n -- Start broad and narrow down\n set mainGroups to every group\n \n -- Examine the first few groups\n repeat with i from 1 to (count of mainGroups)\n try\n set groupInfo to \"Group \" & i & \": \" & (class of item i of mainGroups) as string\n -- Log this information\n on error\n -- Handle elements that can't be accessed\n end try\n end repeat\n end tell\n end tell\nend tell\n```\n\nThe **Accessibility Inspector** is usually the fastest way to get started, while the programmatic AppleScript approach gives you the most control and doesn't require additional software purchases[^6][^1].","profile":{"id":null,"name":null,"subtitle":"State of the art deep research (>30 secs)","model":"ki_research","model_name":"Research","model_provider":"kagi","model_input_limit":1000000,"recommended":false,"model_info":"\n\n<div class=\"heading\">\n <div class=\"left\">\n \n \n \n <svg class=\"model-icon icon-xs\" data-model=\"ki_research\">\n <use href=\"#icon-kagi\"/>\n </svg>\n <h3>\n \n <span class=\"model-provider\">Kagi</span>\n \n <span class=\"model-name\">none</span>\n </h3>\n </div>\n\n \n <a href=\"/settings?p=custom_assistant&id=none\">\n <svg class=\"icon-sm edit-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n <use href=\"#icon-pencil\" />\n </svg>\n </a>\n \n</div>\n\n\n<hr />\n<ul>\n \n <li>\n <h4>\n Cost\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Expensive\">\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-cost --high\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Quality\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 5 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Speed\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 1 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li>\n <h4>\n Privacy\n </h4>\n <span>\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n <div class=\"score\" aria-label=\"Rated 4 out of 5\">\n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"filled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n \n \n <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"unfilled-bubble\"></div>\n \n \n </div>\n</span>\n </li>\n <li class=\"divider\" aria-hidden=\"true\"></li>\n <li>\n <h4>Last updated</h4>\n <span class=\"date\">\n \n \n 2025-11-18\n \n \n </span>\n </li>\n \n</ul>\n","model_provider_name":"Kagi","internet_access":true,"personalizations":true,"shortcut":null,"is_default_profile":false},"metadata":"<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">Model</span>\n <span class=\"value\"><i class=\"icon-xs mr-2\"><svg><use href=\"#icon-kagi\"></use></svg></i>Research</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">Version</span>\n <span class=\"value\">ki_research-2025-11-18</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">Speed (tok/s)</span>\n <span class=\"value\">49</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">Tokens</span>\n <span class=\"value\">16,285</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">Cost / Total ($)</span>\n <span class=\"value\">0.10 / 0.10</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n <span class=\"attribute\">End to end time (s)</span>\n <span class=\"value\">63.01</span>\n</li>\n\n","documents":[]}]