flow.forceType

Introduction

flow.forceType is a Flow Command that forcibly enters text into an input element.

Unlike flow.type, which performs a standard typing interaction, flow.forceType bypasses normal interaction restrictions and attempts to enter text even when the element would not ordinarily accept keyboard input.

This command should only be used when application-specific behaviour prevents normal typing.

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Syntax

flow.forceType "<locator>" "<value>";

flow.forceType <element> "<locator>" "<value>";

flow.forceType "<locator>" <locator-modifier> "<value>";

flow.forceType < element > "<locator>" < locator - modifier > "<value>";

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Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
Element	Optional	Narrows the search to a specific Flow Element such as input or field.
Locator	✅	The text used to identify the input element.
Value	✅	The value to enter into the element.
Locator Modifier	Optional	Additional locator such as under, inside, near, leftOf, rightOf, above, below, or an index.

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Supported Flow Elements

flow.forceType supports every Flow Element recognised by the Flowstride parser.

Examples include:

• input
• field
• div
• span

See Flow Elements for the complete reference.

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Examples

Force type plain text

flow.forceType "Email" "john@example.com";

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Force type into an input

flow.forceType input "Email" "john@example.com";

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Force type using Environment Variables

flow.forceType "Email" "{{env.EMAIL}}";

flow.forceType "Password" "{{env.PASSWORD}}";

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Force type using Dynamic Variables

flow.forceType "Username" "$randomUsername";

flow.forceType "Email" "$randomEmail";

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Reuse a generated value

flow.forceType "Email" "$randomEmail";

flow.forceType "Confirm Email" "@randomEmail";

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Force type using a relative locator

flow.forceType "input" under "Available Seats" "56";

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Complete Example

Feature: Update Profile

Scenario: Update account details

Given "Open the profile page"
  flow.open "/profile";

When "Force update the display name"
  flow.forceType "Display Name" "$randomDisplayName";

When "Force update the job title"
  flow.forceType "Job Title" "$randomJobTitle";

Then "Save the changes"
  flow.click button "Save";

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When to Use flow.forceType

Use flow.forceType only when standard typing cannot complete successfully.

Typical scenarios include:

• Custom JavaScript input controls.
• Rich text editors.
• UI frameworks that intercept keyboard events.
• Inputs that reject normal typing during automated execution.

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Supported Values

flow.forceType accepts any valid value, including:

- Plain text
- Environment Variables (`{{env.*}}`)
- Runtime Variables (`@...`)
- Dynamic Variables (`$...`)
- Extracted values
- Generated values

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Common Use Cases

Use flow.forceType to:

• Populate custom input controls.
• Work with rich text editors.
• Interact with JavaScript-driven forms.
• Enter values into applications that block standard typing.

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Common Mistakes

Prefer flow.type whenever possible

flow.type performs the same typing interaction as a real user.

Only use flow.forceType when normal typing cannot complete successfully.

Verify the result after forcing input

Always confirm that the application accepted the value.

flow.forceType "Email" "$randomEmail";

flow.expect value "Email" equals "@randomEmail";

Reuse generated values when needed

If the same generated value is required later in the Scenario, reference it using its Runtime Variable.

flow.forceType "Email" "$randomEmail";

flow.forceType "Confirm Email" "@randomEmail";

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