regex - selenium regular expression such as id=regexp:.* doesn't work -

i have .aspx page , i'm trying locate textbox via selenium ui. id is: p_lt_ctl01_pageplaceholder_p_lt_ctl00_signupfree_txtfirstname

i've tried: id=*._txtfirstname and: id=glob:*_txtfirstname

is there better way other css locate textbox id may change each time it's compiled?

you can't put wildcards in id "selector". either use id=whole_id_here or don't.

fortunately, case, can use css selector:

[id*=_txtfirstname] 

in selenium ide, use like:

css=[id*=_txtfirstname] 

example selenium ide source snippet:

<tr>     <td>storetext</td>     <td>css=[id*=_txtfirstname]</td>     <td>x</td> </tr> <tr>     <td>echo</td>     <td>${x}</td>     <td></td> </tr> 

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_{note: if _txtfirstname @ end, can use css locator $ instead of * (it more restrictive, match if @ end, while * matches if anywhere): [id$=_txtfirstname].           (in selenium ide, naturally, use like: css=[id$=_txtfirstname].)}