TestComplete: Installation, Key Features - Part 1

TestComplete is a powerful UI test automation tool from SmartBear that supports desktop, web, and mobile testing.  As we read this blog , lets see a step-by-step guide to installing TestComplete, explores key features essential for us.

Now lets take a look on the primary step

Installing TestComplete

Ensure the Set up of System Requirements

Before installing, verify that your system meets the following:

• Windows 10 or later (64-bit)

• Minimum 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)

• At least 2 GB of free disk space

• Administrator privileges

Installation Steps

1. Visit the official website: smartbear.com/product/testcomplete

2. Choose "Free Trial" (As it will help to practice for 14 days )

   
   

   

   Test Complete Installation

   
   

3. Run the installer and follow the wizard to complete the setup

4. Restart the machine if required

Lets Drill down on the Key Features for Automation Testers

1. Keyword-Driven Testing

Test Complete allows the creation of automated tests using a drag-and-drop interface more like recording a video and replaying whenever required. This is ideal for manual testers transitioning into automation, as it requires no coding.

Purpose: Allows the creation of automated tests without writing code, making it accessible to non-programmers.

 Example:

Test a login page by entering credentials and clicking the login button.

Steps:

1. Open TestComplete and create a new Keyword Test.

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

2. Use the Record Test Steps option.

   
   

   

   Record and rerun

   
   

3. Perform your actions on the desired browser:

   • Open Chrome and here I am using a sample website like “OrangeHRM”

   • Enter a sample username and password

   • Click the "Login" button

     
     

4. Stop the recording. The steps appear as actions like:

   • Set Text on the username field

   • Set Text on the password field

   • Click Button

     Isn't it so cool , that gives detailed step definitions of each your action as seen here in this screenshot

     
     

     

     To ensure add a Checkpoint , here I have added checkpoint to ensure that user login successfully and sees the dashboard page .

     
     

     

     Add checkpoint

     Adding checkpoint is more like checking and cross verifying , as here i have added a checkpoint by capturing the test Dashboard after logging in successfully .

     

     Checkpoint Added

     5. Save and run the test. Use Test Logs to review step-level execution results.

     Take a look at the detailed Test summary Report :

     
     

     

     
     

     

     Execution completed Successfully

     So now you might have a question what if i want to write a program on my own or if i want to add few scripts between checkpoint , So yes Test complete supports multiple languages and lets see a jist about it ......

     
     
     
     

     2. Scripted Testing

     
     

     TestComplete supports multiple scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript, and VBScript. This allows testers to write complex logic, integrate conditions, and manipulate test data.

     Purpose: Offers flexibility to write automation scripts using scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript, or VBScript.

     
     

     

     Change script in script language

     so to use any language always ensure you have added the desired language in scripting language while creating a new project .

      Example:

     Validate the page title after login.

     Steps:

     1. Add a new script unit in Python:

     def test_login():

         browser = Sys.Browser("chrome")

         page = browser.ToUrl("OrangeHRM")

         page.FindElement("//input[@id='username']").SetText("Admin")

         page.FindElement("//input[@id='password']").SetText("admin123")

         page.FindElement("//button[text()='Login']").Click()

         aqObject.CheckProperty(browser.Page("*"), "title", cmpEqual, "Dashboard - Example")

     2. Run the test and verify the log for the title match assertion.

   
   

   Coming to the much more anticipated option that test complete provides is Web Testing

   
   

   3.Web Testing Support

   TestComplete enables cross-browser testing on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Internet Explorer. Tests can be recorded on one browser and executed on others without modification.

   Purpose: Test the same application across multiple browsers without re-recording.

    Example:

   Run a login test in both Chrome and Firefox.

   Steps:

   1. Record or write a test in Chrome using Keyword or Scripted mode.

   2. In the Execution Plan, duplicate the test and change the browser parameter:

      • Sys.Browser("chrome") → Sys.Browser("firefox")

   3. Run tests and verify consistent behavior across browsers.

   No separate scripts or logic changes are needed for browser compatibility.

   
   

   So here test steps are recorded one type , by creating variable for different browsers and setting in test step , makes it easy to execute in multiple browsers

   
   

   

   Also can select the different browsers to execute in the drop down of the test steps

   
   

   

   
   

   And usually as a automation tester , we would test a single scenario in multiple ways (positive and negative ) so to accomplish these combinational validation we prefer Data-Driven Testing

   
   

   4.Data-Driven Testing :

   Tests can be driven by data from external sources including Excel, CSV files, databases, and XML. This improves test coverage with minimal effort.

   Purpose: Automate tests using multiple data sets to validate behavior under various inputs.

    Example:

   Test login with multiple username/password combinations.

   Steps:

   1. Prepare a CSV or Excel file:

   
   

   

   b. Create a Data-Driven Loop

   In your Keyword Test, choose Data-Driven Loop.

   
   

   

   1. In the Data Source dialog:

      • Select Excel File (or CSV)

        
        

        

        
        

5. Browse and choose LoginData.xlsx

6. Choose the correct sheet and specify the range (e.g., Sheet1!A1:B3)

7. Click Next, then Finish

   
   

   

   1. TestComplete adds a loop structure. Inside the loop:

      • Drag and drop the recorded steps into the Loop Body

   2. Update input values to use the data:

      • Double-click the Set Text operation for the username

      • Change the value to: Data.Username

      • Do the same for password: Data.Password

        
        

        

        
        

      3.Bind the loop to your external file.

      4. Map the data fields to your test steps:

      1. Set Text on username = Data.Username

      2. Set Text on password = Data.Password

      5.Add a checkpoint or verification step after each iteration.

      This minimizes script duplication and enhances test coverage.

      
      

   So this helps us to test a single test case with multiple combinations of test data.

   So as you see here , it makes the process of positive and negative scenario test case execution effective with , one time record of test steps stored.

   
   

In this first part of the guide, we’ve explored the essential features of TestComplete that every automation tester needs to get started. From setting up the tool and recording your first tests with Keyword-Driven Testing, to scaling your test scenarios with Data-Driven Testing and creating more advanced, flexible tests with Scripted Testing, now we have an idea to effectively automate web applications.

Additionally, we’ve learned how TestComplete facilitates cross-browser testing, ensuring your applications functionality remains consistent across different environments.

Wait Test complete has more to offer ... In Part 2,(Blog Title :Beyond the Basics: Advanced TestComplete Features for Scalable Automation – Part 2) we will dive deeper into advanced TestComplete features such as Object Recognition, Name Mapping, Continuous Integration (CI) setups, and generating detailed test reports. Stay tuned for more tips and techniques to further enhance your automation capabilities.