When using partial window names as parameters, you can specify the full name if you wish, but in most circumstances, it isn't necessary. Specify enough characters so that the "partial-windowname" matches only one existing window. If it matches more than one window, the most recently accessed window which it matches will be used. The windowname "" may be used as a shorthand way of referring to the WIL parent application window. Remember that the case (upper or lower) of the title is significant. If the case is not correct, a match will not be made.

There are a total of four distinct ways to define a partial window name. Decide which option is best for your particular needs.

Window Name

A partial windowname can be the first few defining characters of a window title. For example, WinShow("Notepad") would match any window whose title begins with "Notepad".

Exact Match

Those WIL functions which take a partial windowname as a parameter can be directed to accept only an exact match by ending the window name with a tilde (~).

A tilde (~) used as the last character of the window name indicates that the name must match the window title through to the end of the title. For example, WinShow("Note~") would only match a window whose title was "Note"; it would not match "Notepad".

Match Any Window

A tilde (~) used as the first character of the window name, will match any window containing the specified string anywhere in its title. For example, WinShow("~Notepad") will match a window title of "(Untitled) - Notepad" and a window title of "My Notepad Application", as well as a window title of "Notepad - (Untitled)".

Window Name Ends With…

A tilde (~) used as the first and last character of the window name, will match any window containing the specified string anywhere in its title, except at the beginning. For example, WinShow("~Notepad~") will match a window title of "Notepad" and a window title of "(Untitled) -Notepad", but will not match a window title of "Notepad - (Untitled)".

Note:  All functions that accept a partial window name also accept a Windows ID.

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