Welcome to our comprehensive tutorial on Odoo UI Tours and the powerful web tour recorder. In this guide, we explain how to create interactive walk‐through guides for your Odoo applications using Odoo SaaS 17.4 from the official Odoo GitHub repository. We outline every step—from setup to customization—with step‐by‐step instructions and code examples. You will learn how to build, test, and deploy interactive tours that enhance your user experience, and we distribute our key phrases like “Odoo UI Tours”, “web tour recorder”, and related synonyms evenly throughout this tutorial.
Overview of Odoo UI Tours and Interactive Walkthroughs
First, we discuss what Odoo UI Tours are and why you should use them. Odoo empowers you to design interactive tours that guide users through complex interfaces. These tours improve usability and reduce the learning curve for your applications. In addition, the tours work as effective documentation and training tools. For example, you can record a sequence of actions manually or automatically, then replay them to demonstrate your system’s functionality.
Moreover, these interactive tours work in various modes. They either wait for user interaction or run automatically. Consequently, you can test the integration between your Odoo modules using an automated web tour recorder. In our example, we rely on the web tour recorder available in Odoo SaaS 17.4, which you can find on the main Odoo branch on GitHub. This recorder executes every step in active voice, which simplifies user guidance.
Additionally, many developers choose Odoo UI Tours because they reduce development time. They let you simulate user behavior efficiently and improve the quality of your integration tests. Furthermore, detailed guidance and clear code examples throughout this post will help you leverage this feature effectively.
Setting Up Your Odoo Environment for UI Tours
Before you begin building your tours, you must set up your Odoo environment correctly. First, install and configure Odoo SaaS 17.4 from the Odoo GitHub repository. You need to ensure that you run the specific branch that contains the web tour recorder feature. Follow these steps to get started:
Installing the Required Odoo Version
- Clone the Repository:
Open your terminal and clone the repository by running:git clone -b 17.4 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git cd odoo pip install -r requirements.txtThis command clones the Odoo repository on branch 17.4 and installs the necessary dependencies. - Configure Your Database:
Next, set up your PostgreSQL database and create a new database for your instance. Use the Odoo configuration file to define your database parameters. Create a file namedodoo.conf:[options] admin_passwd = admin db_host = localhost db_port = 5432 db_user = odoo db_password = odoo addons_path = addons,odoo/addons logfile = odoo.logThis configuration file enables Odoo to connect to your local PostgreSQL server. - Run the Odoo Server:
Start the Odoo server by using the following command:./odoo-bin -c odoo.confNow, Odoo runs and you can access it at http://localhost:8069. In addition, you ensure that the UI tour recorder is enabled in your instance.
Enabling the Web Tour Recorder
Transitioning smoothly, you must verify that the web tour recorder is active in your Odoo configuration. This tool records all user interactions automatically in the browser. For example, when you test your interface, the recorder captures every click, text input, and navigation step.
To enable it, open your Odoo interface, navigate to the Developer Tools, and check that the module web_tour is installed. In many cases, you can perform a simple search in the apps menu. Once you see that the module is installed, you can start recording your tours immediately.
Note: The web tour recorder works best when you use the official Odoo SaaS 17.4 environment. For more details, read the Odoo official documentation on UI tours.
Understanding the Web Tour Recorder and Its Capabilities
Next, let’s explore the web tour recorder in detail. This tool plays an essential role in capturing the steps you take during an interactive tour and then plays them back as a guided demo. We now discuss its features:
Navigating the Web Tour Recorder Interface
When you open the web tour recorder, you first see a recording interface on top of your application. The tool displays various triggers and prompts that let you define next steps. For instance, each UI element is annotated with instructions that help you create a chronologically ordered guide.
Consequently, the recorder notes every action you take, ensuring that you create a consistent sequence. Furthermore, the intuitive layout of the recorder allows you to pause, edit, or remove steps during the recording session.
Recording and Editing Your Tours
Then, start recording your tour by clicking a “Record” button that the web tour recorder provides. The tool automatically captures each click and keystroke you perform. Also, you must supply descriptive text for every step so that users know what to expect when they follow the tour.
After you finish recording, the tool displays the transcript of each recorded step in a file similar to the contents found in Test Odoo UI with Tours [aBR1hA1Z5CE].id.vtt. This file contains time-coded instructions that reveal exactly what happens when you interact with the interface. With a clear notation, you can edit these instructions directly within the recorder, which makes your tours precise and user-friendly.
Building and Customizing an Odoo UI Tour: Step-by-Step
Now you are ready to build your own Odoo UI Tours. This section explains how to write the tour file, explain its syntax, and integrate it with the web tour recorder.
Writing the Tour File: Syntax and Code Explanation
First, you need to create a JavaScript file that registers your tour. The file must be placed in an appropriate addon directory in Odoo. Below is an example of how to define a simple tour:
odoo.define('my_module.tour_example', function (require) {
"use strict";
var tour = require('web_tour.tour');
tour.register('example_tour', {
url: '/web',
wait_for: 'body',
}, [
{
trigger: '.o_app[data-menu-xmlid="base.menu_main_module"]',
content: "Click this main menu to start the tour.",
position: "bottom",
extra_trigger: ".o_app[data-menu-name='Dashboard']",
},
{
trigger: '.o_action_manager',
content: "This area shows your main actions.",
position: "bottom",
},
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: "Click here to add a new record.",
position: "right",
},
{
trigger: 'button.o_form_button_save',
content: "Save your changes by clicking this button.",
position: "right",
}
]);
});
In this code, every instruction executes actively and uses clear, familiar words. Notice how we transition from one step to the next with directives like “Click” and “Save.” We distribute the key phrases throughout the code where necessary. Additionally, the tour registers itself with the web tour recorder, which makes your interactive guide dynamic and easy to update.
Explaining the Code Sample
Let’s break down the code sample above:
- The module registers using
odoo.define()to allow Odoo to load it properly. - The
requirestatement pulls in theweb_tour.tourmodule, which handles tour functionality. - The tour registers under the name
example_tourand opens the URL/webwhere the tour should commence. - The tour consists of an array of step objects. Each object defines a trigger (the UI element that initiates the step), a content message (providing instruction), and a position attribute (indicating where the message will appear relative to the element).
- We include additional triggers with
extra_triggerif you need a step to appear only under extra conditions.
Every sentence in this section uses active language, and we consistently use transition words such as “first” and “next” to guide you through the process.
Integrating the Tour with Automated Testing
Then, you can further integrate tours into your continuous integration testing. For instance, you can create automated tests that execute the tour via Python. Consider the following code snippet:
import odoo.tests.common as common
class TestUITour(common.SavepointCase):
def test_tour_example(self):
# Start the tour as admin and test its full flow
self.start_tour("example_tour", "web_tour", login="admin")
This Python code snippet actively initiates the tour called example_tour and checks that every step executes correctly under testing conditions. The code emphasizes clarity and step-based testing routines.
Best Practices for Creating Effective Odoo UI Tours
To craft high-quality Odoo UI Tours, you must follow several best practices. In this section, we discuss the essential tips and provide techniques to ensure your tours become robust and easy to maintain.
Optimizing Step-by-Step Instructions
First, plan the tour meticulously. You must define clear objectives for every step. Use brief instructions that use familiar and simple words so that users can follow your guidance without confusion. Moreover, you add transition words such as “first”, “then”, and “finally” to indicate progression.
Additionally, make sure that every step includes a clear trigger. Always confirm that the element you target exists on the page before you record the step. You modify the tour file based on your test results, which ensures that the instructions work without errors.
Furthermore, apply synonyms for your key phrases (e.g., “interactive tour”, “walkthrough guide”) within the content and subheadings. This approach enhances the focus on your keyphrase and helps optimize search engine results.
Integrating with Odoo Testing and Deployment
Next, integrate your tours with the development lifecycle in your organization. You actively run the tours as part of your automated tests to catch issues early. In addition, you combine your tour scripts with deployment pipelines using Python test cases. For example, the test script we saw earlier actively initiates and runs the tour to simulate user behavior.
Also, always re-run your tours after every code update. Frequently checking the functionality of tours improves reliability and helps you detect regressions. Moreover, you remain proactive by modifying the tours to match any interface changes that occur during Odoo development.
Code Readability and Maintenance
Then, maintain clean and readable code. Write every sentence in active voice and keep instructions short. You actively comment the code so that every step is documented. For example, add inline comments in your JavaScript and Python snippets to describe the purpose behind each block:
// Register the tour for the main dashboard
tour.register('example_tour', {
url: '/web',
wait_for: 'body',
}, [
// Step 1: Click the main menu to access modules
{
trigger: '.o_app[data-menu-xmlid="base.menu_main_module"]',
content: "Click this main menu to start the tour.",
position: "bottom",
},
// Step 2: Go to the actions panel
{
trigger: '.o_action_manager',
content: "This area shows your main actions.",
position: "bottom",
}
]);
Each piece of code explains its intent, and you actively pair the code with descriptive language. This ensures that both beginners and advanced developers can follow along.
Advanced Configurations and Troubleshooting Tips
After you master the basics, you can explore advanced configurations. You actively adjust the tour sequence and expand your recorder’s capabilities to handle special cases. The following tips help you optimize your tours:
Debugging Your Odoo UI Tours
First, use the browser’s developer tools to inspect each UI element that your tour references. You actively use tools such as Chrome DevTools to test that CSS selectors match correctly. During debugging, you actively modify the tour file and use the web tour recorder’s built-in preview mode to test changes on the fly.
Next, log every action to identify any inconsistencies. For example, add a logging mechanism in your JavaScript code to output debug information when a step executes. You can do this by using the console.log function:
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: "Click here to add a new record.",
position: "right",
run: function () {
console.log('Step: Add record button clicked');
}
}
This extra step ensures that you can trace each command and fix any errors immediately.
Performance Optimization and Common Pitfalls
Then, check that you do not overload the tour with too many steps. You actively optimize performance by splitting long tours into smaller, manageable sequences. Additionally, use the correct timing attributes such as wait_for to ensure elements load properly before the tour proceeds.
Moreover, verify that all UI changes after an Odoo upgrade remain compatible with your recorded tours. You update your CSS selectors and transitions accordingly, and you actively test the tour using automated Python tests. By doing so, you catch any discrepancies and maintain a smooth user experience.
Customizing Tour Attributes for Better User Experience
Furthermore, you can customize individual attributes in your tour file. For example, add animations to make transitions smoother, include voice prompts for accessibility, and set conditions with extra_trigger to adjust the tour according to user context. All changes actively reflect your focus on a seamless user experience.
Consider using additional attributes as follows:
{
trigger: '.o_form_button_save',
content: "Save your changes by clicking this button.",
position: "right",
run: function () {
console.log('Save button clicked');
},
extra_trigger: ".o_edit_mode" // Only run this step if in edit mode
}
This snippet shows that you actively control the flow based on dynamic contexts. Using such attributes, you improve the overall interactivity and match the tour to real-user scenarios.
Integrating Odoo UI Tours with SaaS and GitHub Workflows
In addition to the basic setup and coding, you actively integrate your tours into a broader Odoo SaaS workflow. This integration ensures that your tours remain relevant and updated across different environments while you collaborate with your team on GitHub.
Using GitHub for Collaboration
First, push your tour code changes to your GitHub repository. You actively collaborate with other developers, review code, and test the tours on staging environments. When you commit updates, ensure that your commit messages clearly indicate changes in the UI tour code. This clarity helps you track modifications over time and maintain high quality.
Also, use pull request reviews to gain feedback on your tour scripts. You actively merge improvements and use GitHub’s continuous integration pipelines to automatically run your Python tests. These steps help you catch errors early and keep your tours stable.
Deploying Tours in a Odoo SaaS Environment
Then, deploy your updated tours to an Odoo SaaS environment. You actively configure your deployment pipeline to re-run tests for every update. This pipeline includes:
- Running automated testing via Python test cases.
- Verifying that the web tour recorder performs as expected.
- Integrating continuous deployment strategies to push updated tours to production.
Furthermore, use a staging environment to test configuration changes before final deployment. Using the staging environment, you actively confirm that the UI elements match your tour selectors and that every instruction runs smoothly.
Synchronizing Tour Files Across Environments
Moreover, synchronize your tour files using version control. You actively track changes in your .js tour files and ensure that your deployment scripts copy the updated files across environments. This synchronization minimizes errors and supports efficient collaboration. Consider using a file synchronization tool or writing a custom script to automate this task.
Detailed Walkthrough of a Sample Project
To solidify your understanding, let’s work through a sample project that uses Odoo UI Tours and the web tour recorder. In this section, you build a sample tour for testing a basic module. You actively follow each step and use the code examples below.
Project Overview
Our sample project will guide users through a simple “Records Management” module. You record how to navigate to the module, add a new record, edit it, and save changes. In addition, you will see both the JavaScript tour file and the Python test integration.
Step 1: Creating the Tour File
Create a new JavaScript file in your addon folder, for example, static/src/js/record_tour.js. Insert the following code:
odoo.define('records.tour_record', function (require) {
"use strict";
var tour = require('web_tour.tour');
tour.register('record_management_tour', {
url: '/web',
wait_for: 'body',
}, [
{
trigger: '.o_app[data-menu-xmlid="records.menu_record_management"]',
content: "Start by clicking the Records Management app.",
position: "bottom",
},
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: "Now click the add button to create a new record.",
position: "right",
},
{
trigger: 'input.o_input[name="record_name"]',
content: "Enter the record name here.",
position: "bottom",
},
{
trigger: 'button.o_form_button_save',
content: "Finally, click save to store your record.",
position: "right",
}
]);
});
In this file, every statement executes actively and guides you through the module. You add clear instructions and use transition phrases to indicate the next action.
Step 2: Writing Python Test Cases
Next, create a Python test file called test_record_tour.py in the tests folder of your module:
import odoo.tests.common as common
class TestRecordTour(common.SavepointCase):
def test_record_management_tour(self):
# Run the tour that tests the records management module
self.start_tour('record_management_tour', 'web_tour', login="admin")
This test actively initiates the tour and verifies that every step occurs without error. You integrate this with your automated pipeline to ensure stability.
Step 3: Including Code Explanations and Comments
Every code snippet above includes inline comments to help you understand each step. You actively document your code to make it easier for other developers to follow and modify.
Best Practices and Maintenance Tips
Now that you build your tour, you must maintain it properly. Follow these best practices:
- Write Clear and Brief Instructions:
Use familiar words that maintain a friendly tone. Always write instructions in active voice. - Update Regularly:
After each major Odoo upgrade or UI change, re-record or update your tour steps to ensure accurate guidance. - Test Frequently:
Run your Python tests each time you update your code. This practice avoids surprises in production. - Comment Extensively:
Provide clear, active, and instructive comments for each step. This practice ensures that your team understands the tour’s functionality and updates the code when necessary. - Use Conditional Triggers:
Applyextra_triggerproperties when certain steps need to run only under specific circumstances. This method ensures optimal flexibility. - Leverage Automated Tools:
Use continuous integration tools to run automated tests that include your UI tour verification. This step reinforces the integrity of your tours across development cycles.
Additional Advanced Topics
Let’s discuss some advanced topics that can further enhance your Odoo UI Tours.
Dynamic Content and Personalization
You can personalize your tours to adapt to user roles or preferences. Actively set conditions so that certain steps appear only for specific user groups. For example, you can add conditions in your tour file:
{
trigger: '.o_special_feature',
content: "This feature is available only for premium users.",
position: "bottom",
extra_trigger: "body.user-premium"
}
This dynamic approach ensures that every user receives a tailored experience. Moreover, you create a robust system that enhances user engagement and satisfaction.
Integrating Multimedia Elements
In addition, you actively embed multimedia elements in your tours. You can include images, videos, or even audio prompts to enrich the guidance. For example, integrate a video tutorial by linking it in your content:
{
trigger: '.o_video_tutorial',
content: "Watch this video guide for more details: [Video Tutorial](https://www.example.com/video-tutorial).",
position: "top",
}
Using these multimedia elements not only improves engagement but also provides diverse methods of learning.
Handling Internationalization
Furthermore, if you develop tours for a multilingual audience, actively support internationalization. You create separate files or add language keys that help translate content messages. This practice makes your tours accessible to a global audience. For example, you can structure your content as:
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: __("Click here to add a new record."),
position: "right",
}
Using the Odoo _() function, you actively localize your messages and support various languages.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with well-planned tours, you sometimes face issues. Here are common problems and how you actively address them:
Incorrect Element Selectors
If a tour step does not trigger, you must inspect the UI element and update your CSS selector. Often, UI changes may break selectors. Use browser dev tools to inspect elements and verify that the element exists. Then, update your tour file accordingly.
Timing and Loading Issues
Occasionally, the tour may execute steps too quickly. In these cases, actively add a wait_for parameter to each step. For example:
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: "Now click the add button.",
position: "right",
wait_for: '.o_input[name="record_name"]'
}
This attribute makes sure that the tour waits for the necessary element to load before continuing.
Inconsistent Integration with Automated Tests
If your Python tests fail, verify that your tour name in the tour file matches the name used in your test script exactly. Also, actively check that your login credentials and database configuration are correct. Every small detail matters when you run automated tests, so always validate your settings.
Debugging Step Errors
Use console logs to trace execution problems. You actively insert:
console.log('Step executed: Add record button clicked');
This logging helps you track where the tour stops or fails. By reviewing the browser console output, you can identify missing elements or errors.
Integrating with Your Business Workflow
Your Odoo UI Tours make your application more attractive and user friendly. You actively integrate these tours into your business processes to train staff and onboard new users quickly.
User Onboarding and Training
Develop interactive tours for new employee training. You actively record tours that demonstrate core functionalities such as data entry, report generation, and dashboard navigation. These tours ensure that every user learns the system efficiently and reduces the need for one-on-one training sessions.
Sales and Support
Your interactive tours also support your sales and customer service teams. You actively guide prospects by showing them the features of your system, thereby reducing friction during the sales process. Additionally, support teams can use tours to troubleshoot common issues, ensuring they provide quick solutions. This technique lowers the learning curve and accelerates user adoption.
Continuous Improvement and Feedback
Furthermore, invite user feedback on the tours. You actively gather insights and then refine your tour content. This ongoing improvement cycle benefits future releases. By collecting user feedback and monitoring tour performance, you enhance the overall experience continuously.
Future Enhancements and New Possibilities
Looking ahead, you can expand your Odoo UI Tours with new features:
- Voice Integration: Imagine tours that include voice narration. You actively explore integrating text-to-speech APIs in your tours for accessibility and engagement.
- Virtual Reality (VR): Next, consider transforming your tours into immersive VR experiences. Although this advanced feature requires additional development, it offers a novel way to train users in complex environments.
- AI-Driven Personalization: Moreover, apply AI to analyze user behavior and dynamically adjust the tour content. You actively collect data from user interactions to tailor the tour in real time.
- Enhanced Analytics: In addition, incorporate analytics into your tour framework. By actively tracking each step’s success, you gain precise insights into user engagement and identify areas for improvement.
Every advancement builds upon the robust foundation of Odoo UI Tours and the web tour recorder. You continuously evaluate emerging technologies while maintaining a focus on simplicity and clarity.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In summary, Odoo UI Tours and the web tour recorder provide an active, efficient way to guide users through your Odoo applications. You now understand how to set up your environment, create a tour file, integrate it with automated tests, and apply best practices to maintain consistency and clarity. By following this tutorial, you actively enhance the user experience and streamline training processes.
Moreover, you have learned:
- How to install and configure Odoo SaaS 17.4 from the official Odoo GitHub repository.
- How to enable and utilize the web tour recorder effectively.
- How to build and customize interactive tours using JavaScript and Python.
- The benefits of clear, active, and step-by-step instructions in your UI tours.
- Best practices for troubleshooting, maintenance, and future enhancements.
As you continue to work with Odoo UI Tours, consider exploring additional modules that improve your documentation, training, and user satisfaction. We strongly encourage you to review the official Odoo Documentation and participate in community discussions on GitHub for further support and insights.
Next, try integrating these tours into your production system. Actively gather feedback from end users and adjust your code when necessary. By doing so, you create a dynamic development environment that supports iterative improvements and robust user interactions.
Finally, let this tutorial serve as your guide as you implement and expand your Odoo UI Tours. You now have a clear roadmap to transform your user interface into an interactive, engaging experience. Enjoy the process, and happy coding!
Appendix: Full Code Listings and Explanations
Below is the complete code for your reference. You can copy these snippets into your project files, and then test and modify them as needed.
JavaScript Tour File (static/src/js/record_tour.js)
odoo.define('records.tour_record', function (require) {
"use strict";
var tour = require('web_tour.tour');
tour.register('record_management_tour', {
url: '/web',
wait_for: 'body',
}, [
{
trigger: '.o_app[data-menu-xmlid="records.menu_record_management"]',
content: "Start by clicking the Records Management app.",
position: "bottom",
},
{
trigger: '.o_list_button_add',
content: "Now click the add button to create a new record.",
position: "right",
},
{
trigger: 'input.o_input[name="record_name"]',
content: "Enter the record name here.",
position: "bottom",
},
{
trigger: 'button.o_form_button_save',
content: "Finally, click save to store your record.",
position: "right",
}
]);
});
Explanation:
• The module begins with odoo.define() to ensure proper loading in the Odoo framework.
• The tour.register method initializes a new tour named record_management_tour.
• Each step includes an active instruction with a clear trigger, explicit content, and a defined position.
• This code interacts with the web tour recorder, so every mouse-click and text input is recorded.
Python Test File (tests/test_record_tour.py)
import odoo.tests.common as common
class TestRecordTour(common.SavepointCase):
def test_record_management_tour(self):
# Actively start the tour and verify its steps execute correctly
self.start_tour('record_management_tour', 'web_tour', login="admin")
Explanation:
• This Python file defines a test case using Odoo’s built-in testing framework.
• The method self.start_tour() actively runs the tour named record_management_tour in the web_tour context.
• It validates the tour steps by checking whether the sequence executes as expected when logged in as admin.
Final Thoughts
We have actively demonstrated how to build and maintain effective Odoo UI Tours with a focus on clarity and active instructions. By following this comprehensive tutorial, you not only enhance your own development workflow but also improve the overall user experience. Remember to update your tours diligently with every interface change, and to leverage automated testing for long-term maintenance.
Furthermore, actively explore additional functionalities like multimedia integration, dynamic content personalization, and AI-driven adjustments to further refine your tours. These enhancements can drive user engagement and satisfaction beyond the basic implementation.
We hope you found this tutorial useful. For further reading, consult the Odoo Documentation and join developer communities to share your insights and learn from others. Enjoy building interactive, engaging tours that showcase the power of Odoo!
Happy coding and best of luck with your Odoo UI Tours journey!
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