When an object changes in your application, or if you are not satisfied with the current name of a test object for any reason, you can change the name that QuickTest assigns to the stored object. You can also provide objects with meaningful names to assist users in identifying them when using them in component steps.

For example, suppose you have a graphics application in which all the tools in the toolbar are saved as WinObjects in the object repository with the names ToolChild1, ToolChild2, ToolChild3, and so forth. You may want to rename all the buttons to their actual labels to make them easier to identify, for example, Color_Picker, Erasor, Airbrush, and so forth.

You rename objects in the local object repository using the Object Repository window. You rename objects in the shared object repository using the Object Repository Manager.

If you are working with a shared object repository, your change applies to all occurrences of the object in all components that use this shared object repository.

If you are working with a local object repository, your change applies to all occurrences of the object in the selected component. If other components in your business process test also include operations on the local object, you should modify the object's name in each relevant component.

When you modify the name of an object in the local object repository, the name is automatically updated for all occurrences of the object. When you modify the name of an object in a shared repository, the name is automatically updated in all components open on the same computer that use the object repository as soon as you make the change, even if you have not yet saved the object repository with your changes. If you close the object repository without saving your changes, the changes are rolled back in any open components that were open at the time. Changes that are saved are also automatically updated in components that use the object repository as soon as you open them. To see saved changes in a component or object repository that is currently open on a different computer, you must open the object repository or lock it for editing on your computer in order to load the changes.

Tip: If you do not want to automatically update test object names for all occurrences of the test object, you can clear the Automatically update test and component steps when you rename test objects check box in the General tab of the Options dialog box (Tools > Options). If you clear this option, you will need to manually change the test object names in all steps in which they are used, otherwise your component run will fail.

Note: If you rename objects in a shared object repository and save the changes, when you open another component using the same shared object repository, that component updates the object name in all of its relevant steps. This process may take a few moments. If you save the changes to the second component, the renamed steps are saved. However, if you close the second component without saving, then the next time you open the same component, it will again take a few moments to update the object names in its steps.

To rename a test object:

In the object repository tree, select the test object that you want to rename and perform one of the following:

• Choose Edit > Rename and enter the new name for the object in the selected node in the tree. Then press Enter or click anywhere else to remove the focus from the object.
• Press F2 and enter the new name for the object.
• In the Name box in the Object Properties pane, enter the new name for the object. Then click anywhere else to remove the focus from the object.