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Set Element Dropdown

The Set Element Dropdown block is used to select a value from a dropdown list in a D365 F&O application. This block is automatically created when the user interacts with these input types during recording.

It provides flexibility to select values either by typing them directly or choosing from an available list. The block supports both static entries and dynamic fields, allowing for adaptable automation across different scenarios.

Note:This block works only in browser windows launched using the Login block or within the current D365 recording session.

Fully expanded, the D365 Set Element Dropdown block shows the following properties:

set-element-dropdown

The Block Header

The green input connector at the top left triggers the execution of the block when the automation flow reaches this step.

Once the dropdown value is successfully selected, the green output connector is activated.

The block title is automatically named according to the dropdown element it refers to, such as “Set Posting Option” but it can be edited by double-clicking the title for clarity.

Set value by

This property allows the user to define how the value in the dropdown, radio button, or combo box should be selected during execution. It offers two modes of selection:

  • Text: Selects the option by matching the visible label exactly as shown in the UI. This is the default setting and is typically used when the dropdown values are known and stable.

  • Index: Selects the option based on its position in the list (e.g., 1 for the first item, 2 for the second). This is useful when dropdown labels may change but the order remains consistent.

When Index is selected:

  • A text input appears where the user can specify the desired index value.

  • For combo boxes, multiple values can be provided, separated by semicolons (e.g., 1;3;5).

  • Both input and output connectors are supported, enabling the index value to be dynamically defined or retrieved at runtime.

Changing between Text and Index dynamically updates the associated property fields in the block UI.

Text

This property allows the user to choose the value to be selected from the dropdown list. During recording, the available options are fetched directly from the dropdown element in the UI.

The field appears as a dropdown menu showing the same list of values. You can either select a predefined value. This offers flexibility for automation scenarios that require either strict matching or loosely defined selections.

Fail

This green output connector is triggered if the target dropdown element cannot be found within the configured timeout. This allows for conditional branching in the flow or the implementation of error-handling mechanisms.

Source Element

This optional field allows the dropdown locator to be limited to a previously captured parent element. For example, if the dropdown exists inside a specific form or section, referencing the parent element ensures the locator focuses only within that defined scope.

In Early Access versions this setting is not yet configurable.

Browser Window

This property defines the browser window instance in which the dropdown selection should be performed. In Early Access versions of the Smart Recorder, only a single browser window is supported, so this field is not user-configurable.

Default timeout

If the Default Timeout property checkbox is not selected, then the timeout value is 10 seconds. If the property checkbox is selected, then the Default timeout value selected in the flow settings will be applicable.

Timeout

The maximum time spent extracting the specified information before giving up and triggering the Not Found connector (see above).

Note: All cases have a "global timeout" that can be configured in the "Settings" panel. This is unrelated to the timeout of a single building block. However, a running case will automatically be cancelled if it runs for longer than the global timeout.

Updated 29.07.25