By default, TestComplete adds objects to the Name Mapping repository automatically when you –

This behavior is controlled by the Engines > Name Mapping > Map object names automatically option of TestComplete:

If you do not use the Name Mapping repository in your project, you can disable this option to prevent TestComplete from mapping objects.

Select Tools > Options from the TestComplete main menu. This will open the Options dialog.
Select the Engines > Name Mapping category.
Select or clear the Map object names automatically check box.
Click OK to save the changes.

When mapping web objects, whether TestComplete uses XPath expressions and CSS selectors, or identification properties depends on the Use XPath and CSS selectors for web objects property of your current project (enabled by default):

Click the image to enlarge it.

This property must be enabled if you are creating a cross-platform web test.

When this property is enabled, locating web objects by identification properties is not supported. If, in your project, you already have existing web tests that rely on identification properties, those tests may fail.
When a project is configured to map web objects by using identification properties, or when mapping objects in desktop and mobile applications, TestComplete maps objects using default identification properties. To control which properties TestComplete should use when mapping objects, you can create name mapping templates. See Name Mapping Templates.

Mapping objects automatically during the test recording is the easiest and fastest way to map multiple objects.
TestComplete can store information on the properties and methods of mapped objects to the Name Mapping repository. This way, you will be able to view the properties and methods of mapped objects in test editors even if your tested application is not running. See View Code Completion Information.
TestComplete can capture images of mapped objects. This helps you understand to which UI element of your tested application the mapped object corresponds. See Store Images.

Mapping Objects Automatically