AutomationElementAutomationId

AutomationElementAutomationId is a property that uniquely identifies an AutomationElement within the UI Automation hierarchy. UI Automation is a framework that enables accessibility tools and other applications to programmatically inspect and interact with user interface elements. The AutomationId property provides a stable, often developer-assigned identifier for a specific UI element. This identifier is intended to be consistent across different runs of the application and even across different versions, provided the element's automation structure remains unchanged.

The value of AutomationId is typically a string. It is distinct from other identifiers like the Name property, which represents the visible text or label of an element, or the ControlType property, which describes the fundamental type of UI element (e.g., button, checkbox). Developers often assign AutomationIds to elements that they need to reliably locate and interact with using UI Automation clients, such as automated testing frameworks or assistive technologies. Using AutomationId is a recommended practice for making UI elements discoverable and controllable in a robust manner. It helps to ensure that automation scripts or tools can target the correct elements even if their position or visual appearance changes.