Add virtualized: realize off-screen items in virtualized lists/grids

Long lists/grids/trees only materialize visible rows, so an off-screen
row has no accessibility element at all - list/read_table/select can't
see it and scroll_control_into_view can't help because it doesn't exist
yet. realize_item locates the item by property (ItemContainerPattern)
and realizes it (VirtualizedItemPattern) so it becomes a real element.
Extends the backend ABC + Windows UIA backend via the same fake-backend
seam as control_patterns.

Author: JE-Chen

WHATS_NEW.md

@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # What's New — AutoControl
 
+## What's new (2026-06-25) — Realize Off-Screen Items in Virtualized Lists / Grids
+
+Reach a row that isn't scrolled into view yet — the "element not found in a long list" fix. Full reference: [`docs/source/Eng/doc/new_features/v195_features_doc.rst`](docs/source/Eng/doc/new_features/v195_features_doc.rst).
+
+- **`realize_item`** (`AC_realize_item`): long lists / data grids / trees only materialize visible rows, so an off-screen row has no accessibility element at all — `list_accessibility_elements` / `read_control_table` / `select_control_item` can't see it, and `scroll_control_into_view` can't help because the element doesn't exist yet. This locates the item by property (UIA `ItemContainerPattern.FindItemByProperty`) and realizes it (`VirtualizedItemPattern.Realize`) so it becomes a real, clickable element. Match `by` name (default) or `automation_id`; locate the container by name/role/app. Dispatched through the injectable accessibility backend seam (headless-testable via a fake backend; real UIA in the Windows backend). No `PySide6`.
+
 ## What's new (2026-06-25) — Per-Run Step Timeline (waterfall + bottleneck steps)
 
 Read why *this* run was slow — a step waterfall and its bottlenecks. Full reference: [`docs/source/Eng/doc/new_features/v194_features_doc.rst`](docs/source/Eng/doc/new_features/v194_features_doc.rst).

docs/source/Eng/doc/new_features/v195_features_doc.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+Realize Off-Screen Items in Virtualized Lists / Grids
+=====================================================
+
+Long lists, data grids and trees (WPF / WinUI / File Explorer / virtual
+treeviews) only materialize the rows that are scrolled into view — a row that is
+off-screen has **no** accessibility element at all. So
+``list_accessibility_elements`` / ``read_control_table`` / ``select_control_item``
+simply cannot see it, and ``scroll_control_into_view`` can't help because the
+target element does not exist yet. This is the classic "element not found in a
+long list" wall.
+
+``realize_item`` closes that gap: it locates the item inside its container by
+property (UI Automation ``ItemContainerPattern.FindItemByProperty``) and realizes
+it (``VirtualizedItemPattern.Realize``) so it materializes as a real element you
+can then click or read.
+
+It is a thin dispatch onto the injectable ``accessibility.backends.get_backend()``
+seam (the same seam the rest of the accessibility module uses) — headless-testable
+on any platform by injecting a fake backend; the real UIA calls live in the
+Windows backend. Imports no ``PySide6``.
+
+Headless API
+------------
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    from je_auto_control import realize_item, click_accessibility_element
+
+    # Bring a far-down row into existence, then act on it:
+    row = realize_item("Order 5000", container_name="Orders")
+    if row is not None:
+        click_accessibility_element(name=row.name)   # now a real element
+
+    realize_item("row-42", by="automation_id", container_name="DataGrid")
+
+``item_name`` is matched against the item's Name (``by="name"``, default) or its
+AutomationId (``by="automation_id"``). The container is located by
+``container_name`` / ``container_role`` / ``app_name`` / ``automation_id`` (the
+same matchers as the other native-control actions). Returns the realized
+``AccessibilityElement``, or ``None`` if the container or item isn't found.
+
+Executor commands
+-----------------
+
+``AC_realize_item`` (``item_name`` / ``by`` / ``container_name`` /
+``container_role`` / ``app_name`` / ``automation_id``) returns
+``{found, element}``. It is exposed as the read-only ``ac_realize_item`` MCP tool
+and as a Script Builder command under **Native UI**.

docs/source/Zh/doc/new_features/v195_features_doc.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+實體化虛擬化清單 / 格線中的離畫面項目
+======================================
+
+長清單、資料格線與樹(WPF / WinUI / 檔案總管 / 虛擬化 treeview)只會實體化已捲入視野的列——
+離畫面的列**完全沒有**無障礙元素。因此 ``list_accessibility_elements`` /
+``read_control_table`` / ``select_control_item`` 根本看不到它,而 ``scroll_control_into_view``
+也幫不上忙,因為目標元素根本還不存在。這就是經典的「長清單裡找不到元素」的牆。
+
+``realize_item`` 補上這個缺口:它以屬性在容器內定位該項目(UI Automation
+``ItemContainerPattern.FindItemByProperty``)並將其實體化(``VirtualizedItemPattern.Realize``),
+使其成為一個真正、可點擊或可讀取的元素。
+
+它是對可注入的 ``accessibility.backends.get_backend()`` 接縫的薄分派(與無障礙模組其餘部分相同的
+接縫)——可在任何平台透過注入 fake backend 進行無頭測試;真正的 UIA 呼叫位於 Windows 後端。
+不匯入 ``PySide6``。
+
+無頭 API
+--------
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    from je_auto_control import realize_item, click_accessibility_element
+
+    # 讓一個很下方的列「存在」,然後對它操作:
+    row = realize_item("Order 5000", container_name="Orders")
+    if row is not None:
+        click_accessibility_element(name=row.name)   # 現在是真正的元素
+
+    realize_item("row-42", by="automation_id", container_name="DataGrid")
+
+``item_name`` 會比對項目的 Name(``by="name"``,預設)或其 AutomationId
+(``by="automation_id"``)。容器以 ``container_name`` / ``container_role`` / ``app_name`` /
+``automation_id`` 定位(與其他原生控制動作相同的比對方式)。回傳實體化後的
+``AccessibilityElement``,若找不到容器或項目則回傳 ``None``。
+
+執行器指令
+----------
+
+``AC_realize_item``(``item_name`` / ``by`` / ``container_name`` / ``container_role`` /
+``app_name`` / ``automation_id``)回傳 ``{found, element}``。以唯讀 ``ac_realize_item`` MCP
+工具及 Script Builder 指令(位於 **Native UI** 分類下)形式提供。

je_auto_control/__init__.py

@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@
 from je_auto_control.utils.focus_order import (
     audit_focus_order, focus_control, is_interactive_role, tab_order,
 )
+# Realize off-screen items in virtualized lists / grids (UIA VirtualizedItem)
+from je_auto_control.utils.virtualized import realize_item
 # Rich clipboard formats — RTF + CSV/TSV codecs and Windows get / set
 from je_auto_control.utils.clipboard_rich_formats import (
     build_rtf, csv_to_rows, get_clipboard_csv, get_clipboard_rtf, rows_to_csv,
@@ -1666,6 +1668,7 @@ def start_autocontrol_gui(*args, **kwargs):
     "control_type_name", "humanize_role", "humanize_tree",
     "assign_node_paths", "find_by_path",
     "is_interactive_role", "tab_order", "audit_focus_order", "focus_control",
+    "realize_item",
     "build_rtf", "rtf_to_text", "rows_to_csv", "csv_to_rows",
     "set_clipboard_rtf", "get_clipboard_rtf",
     "set_clipboard_csv", "get_clipboard_csv",

je_auto_control/gui/script_builder/command_schema.py

@@ -1608,6 +1608,19 @@ def _add_native_control_specs(specs: List[CommandSpec]) -> None:
         fields=fields,
         description="Scroll a control into view (ScrollItemPattern).",
     ))
+    specs.append(CommandSpec(
+        "AC_realize_item", "Native UI", "Realize Virtualized Item",
+        fields=(
+            FieldSpec("item_name", FieldType.STRING),
+            FieldSpec("by", FieldType.ENUM, optional=True, default="name",
+                      choices=("name", "automation_id")),
+            FieldSpec("container_name", FieldType.STRING, optional=True),
+            FieldSpec("container_role", FieldType.STRING, optional=True),
+            FieldSpec("app_name", FieldType.STRING, optional=True),
+            FieldSpec("automation_id", FieldType.STRING, optional=True),
+        ),
+        description="Realize an off-screen item in a virtualized list/grid.",
+    ))
     specs.append(CommandSpec(
         "AC_get_control_text", "Native UI", "Get Control Text",
         fields=fields,

je_auto_control/utils/accessibility/backends/base.py

@@ -131,6 +131,23 @@ def set_focus(self, name: Optional[str] = None, role: Optional[str] = None,
         """Set keyboard focus on the matched control (SetFocus); True on success."""
         self._unsupported("set_focus")
 
+    # --- virtualized items (realize off-screen list / grid items) -----------
+
+    def find_virtual_item(self, item_name: Optional[str] = None, by: str = "name",
+                          container_name: Optional[str] = None,
+                          container_role: Optional[str] = None,
+                          app_name: Optional[str] = None,
+                          automation_id: Optional[str] = None,
+                          ) -> Optional[AccessibilityElement]:
+        """Find a (possibly virtualized) item inside a container and realize it.
+
+        Long virtualized lists / grids only materialize visible rows; this locates
+        the item by property (``ItemContainerPattern``) and realizes it
+        (``VirtualizedItemPattern``) so it exists as a real element. Returns the
+        realized element, or None if the container or item isn't found.
+        """
+        self._unsupported("find_virtual_item")
+
     def _unsupported(self, operation: str):
         """Raise a clear error for an action this backend can't perform."""
         raise AccessibilityNotAvailableError(

je_auto_control/utils/accessibility/backends/windows_backend.py

@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
 _UIA_RANGEVALUE_PATTERN_ID = 10003
 _UIA_SCROLLITEM_PATTERN_ID = 10017
 _UIA_TEXT_PATTERN_ID = 10014
+_UIA_ITEMCONTAINER_PATTERN_ID = 10019
+_UIA_VIRTUALIZEDITEM_PATTERN_ID = 10020
+_UIA_AUTOMATIONID_PROPERTY = 30011
 _EXPAND_STATES = {0: "collapsed", 1: "expanded", 2: "partial", 3: "leaf"}
 
 
@@ -264,6 +267,37 @@ def get_range(self, name=None, role=None, app_name=None,
         except (OSError, AttributeError, ValueError, TypeError):
             return None
 
+    def _realize(self, raw) -> None:
+        """Realize a virtualized element so it materializes (VirtualizedItemPattern)."""
+        pattern = self._pattern(raw, _UIA_VIRTUALIZEDITEM_PATTERN_ID,
+                                "IUIAutomationVirtualizedItemPattern")
+        if pattern is None:
+            return
+        try:
+            pattern.Realize()
+        except (OSError, AttributeError):
+            pass
+
+    def find_virtual_item(self, item_name=None, by="name", container_name=None,
+                          container_role=None, app_name=None, automation_id=None):
+        container = self._find_raw(container_name, container_role, app_name,
+                                   automation_id)
+        pattern = self._pattern(container, _UIA_ITEMCONTAINER_PATTERN_ID,
+                                "IUIAutomationItemContainerPattern"
+                                ) if container else None
+        if pattern is None:
+            return None
+        property_id = (_UIA_AUTOMATIONID_PROPERTY if by == "automation_id"
+                       else _UIA_NAME_PROPERTY)
+        try:
+            found = pattern.FindItemByProperty(None, property_id, item_name)
+        except (OSError, AttributeError, ValueError):
+            return None
+        if not found:
+            return None
+        self._realize(found)
+        return _convert_uia(found)
+
     def _text_pattern(self, name, role, app_name, automation_id):
         """Find a control and return its IUIAutomationTextPattern, or None."""
         raw = self._find_raw(name, role, app_name, automation_id)

je_auto_control/utils/executor/action_executor.py

@@ -2462,6 +2462,20 @@ def _scroll_control_into_view(name: Optional[str] = None, role: Optional[str] =
                                     automation_id=automation_id)
 
 
+def _realize_item(item_name: str, by: str = "name",
+                  container_name: Optional[str] = None,
+                  container_role: Optional[str] = None,
+                  app_name: Optional[str] = None,
+                  automation_id: Optional[str] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Adapter: find + realize a virtualized list/grid item (VirtualizedItem)."""
+    from je_auto_control.utils.virtualized import realize_item
+    element = realize_item(item_name, by=str(by), container_name=container_name,
+                           container_role=container_role, app_name=app_name,
+                           automation_id=automation_id)
+    return {"found": element is not None,
+            "element": element.to_dict() if element else None}
+
+
 def _get_control_text(name: Optional[str] = None, role: Optional[str] = None,
                       app_name: Optional[str] = None,
                       automation_id: Optional[str] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -6405,6 +6419,7 @@ def __init__(self):
             "AC_control_range": _control_range,
             "AC_set_control_range": _set_control_range,
             "AC_scroll_control_into_view": _scroll_control_into_view,
+            "AC_realize_item": _realize_item,
             "AC_get_control_text": _get_control_text,
             "AC_get_selected_text": _get_selected_text,
             "AC_get_visible_text": _get_visible_text,

je_auto_control/utils/mcp_server/tools/_factories.py

@@ -1157,6 +1157,27 @@ def a11y_control_tools() -> List[MCPTool]:
             handler=h.scroll_control_into_view,
             annotations=DESTRUCTIVE,
         ),
+        MCPTool(
+            name="ac_realize_item",
+            description=("Find and REALIZE an off-screen item in a virtualized "
+                         "list/grid (ItemContainer + VirtualizedItem patterns) so "
+                         "it materializes as a real element — rows that aren't "
+                         "scrolled into view have no element until realized. "
+                         "'item_name' matched by 'name' (default) or "
+                         "'automation_id'; the container by container_name/"
+                         "container_role/app_name/automation_id. Returns "
+                         "{found, element}."),
+            input_schema=schema({
+                "item_name": {"type": "string"},
+                "by": {"type": "string", "enum": ["name", "automation_id"]},
+                "container_name": {"type": "string"},
+                "container_role": {"type": "string"},
+                "app_name": {"type": "string"},
+                "automation_id": {"type": "string"}},
+                required=["item_name"]),
+            handler=h.realize_item,
+            annotations=READ_ONLY,
+        ),
         MCPTool(
             name="ac_get_control_text",
             description=("Read a control's full text via TextPattern: "

je_auto_control/utils/mcp_server/tools/_handlers.py

@@ -795,6 +795,13 @@ def get_control_text(name=None, role=None, app_name=None, automation_id=None):
     return _get_control_text(name, role, app_name, automation_id)
 
 
+def realize_item(item_name, by="name", container_name=None, container_role=None,
+                 app_name=None, automation_id=None):
+    from je_auto_control.utils.executor.action_executor import _realize_item
+    return _realize_item(item_name, by, container_name, container_role,
+                         app_name, automation_id)
+
+
 def get_selected_text(name=None, role=None, app_name=None, automation_id=None):
     from je_auto_control.utils.executor.action_executor import _get_selected_text
     return _get_selected_text(name, role, app_name, automation_id)