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Question

Unable to Capture Browser Download Button in Automation Anywhere Community Edition – Need Workarounds

  • November 22, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 38 views
V
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Hello!

I am working on a bot in Automation Anywhere Community Edition to download a PDF file that opens in a browser-based viewer (e.g., Chrome or Edge). The PDF viewer displays the file with a toolbar at the top, and the download icon is located in the top-right corner of the viewer.

However, I am facing an issue:

  • The download button is not capturable using the standard Capture Object or Web Recorder actions.
  • The button seems to be part of the browser’s built-in PDF viewer, which does not expose the element in the DOM for Automation Anywhere to interact with.

I have tried basic approaches like object cloning and surface automation, but they are not reliable.

What are the best workarounds or recommended practices to download the PDF file in such scenarios where the download button is not capturable?

 

What I am looking for:

  • Any alternative methods like extracting the PDF URL and using Download File action.
  • Using keyboard shortcuts or JavaScript injection to trigger the download.
  • Any best practices for handling browser-based PDF viewers in Automation Anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Vinit J

    2 replies

    Padmakumar
    Premier Pathfinder | Tier 7
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    • Padmakumar
    • Premier Pathfinder | Tier 7
    • November 22, 2025

    Hi ​@VinitJoshi,

     

    First of all, try changing your default PDF viewer from Chrome/Edge to a PDF specialised app like Adobe. Secondly, enable the option in Chrome/Edge download settings to Ask where the files to be saved while trying to download.

    Padmakumar
      Aaron.Gleason
      Automation Anywhere Team
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      • Aaron.Gleason
      • Automation Anywhere Team
      • November 23, 2025

      ​@VinitJoshi Depending on where and how this file is downloaded, you may be able to use Browser: Download file or even REST web service: Get to retrieve the file without having to display it in a PDF viewer. 

      Additionally, try other methods of the Recorder: Capture action to try and detect/click the download button. You will find these in the Recapture button's drop down. 

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