GlideRecord.getUniqueValue()

getUniqueValue()→ string

beginnerTested on Xanadu

What It Does

The getUniqueValue() method retrieves the sys_id field value from the current GlideRecord instance. ServiceNow internally calls the same mechanism as getValue('sys_id') but provides a more semantic method name that clearly indicates you're retrieving the record's unique identifier.

When executed, ServiceNow accesses the current record's field collection and returns the value stored in the sys_id field without performing any additional database queries. The method operates on whatever record is currently loaded in the GlideRecord object, whether that record was retrieved through get(), query() iteration, or represents a new record being created.

The method returns a 32-character hexadecimal string representing the record's GUID when called on a valid, existing record. For new records that haven't been inserted yet, it returns an empty string. If called on a GlideRecord that failed to retrieve any data (such as after an unsuccessful get() call), it also returns an empty string.

The method behaves identically across all GlideRecord states. Whether you're in a Business Rule's current object, iterating through query results, or working with a manually instantiated GlideRecord, getUniqueValue() consistently returns the sys_id of whatever record is currently loaded.

This method pairs naturally with other GlideRecord identification methods. While getUniqueValue() retrieves the sys_id, you'd use getDisplayValue() for human-readable field values and getTableName() to identify which table the record belongs to.

When to Use This

Use getUniqueValue() when you need the sys_id for building relationships, logging, or passing record identifiers to other functions. It's the preferred method for retrieving record IDs in Business Rules, Script Includes, and any server-side code where readability matters. The method name clearly communicates intent, making code easier to understand and maintain compared to the more generic getValue('sys_id') approach.

Avoid using this method when you need display values for user interfaces or when working with reference fields where you want the referenced record's information. Use getDisplayValue() instead for human-readable values. Don't use getUniqueValue() in client-side scripts—GlideRecord works differently there and this method may not be available. For new records before insert(), use isNewRecord() to check record state instead of testing for empty sys_id values.

Return Value

Returns a string containing the 32-character hexadecimal GUID that serves as the record's primary key. The format is always lowercase with no dashes or special formatting—for example, "a1b2c3d4e5f6789012345678901234ab". When the method cannot retrieve a sys_id (such as for new records or failed queries), it returns an empty string "", never null or undefined.

Always check for empty strings when the record's existence is uncertain. Use if (gr.getUniqueValue()) to verify you have a valid record before using the sys_id value. The returned string is safe to use directly in other GlideRecord get() calls, reference field assignments, and database queries without additional encoding or validation.

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Platform Behavior & Side Effects

No Business Rules, ACLs, or notifications fire when calling this method—it's a pure data retrieval operation
No database writes occur—the method only reads from the current GlideRecord's field collection in memory
Extremely fast performance—no database queries are executed, making it safe for loops and frequent calls
Behaves identically in before/after Business Rules, Script Includes, and Scheduled Jobs—no context-dependent variations
Values are pulled from ServiceNow's field cache, not re-queried from the database each time
No audit records are created since this is a read-only operation that doesn't modify field values
Method is synchronous and blocks execution until the value is returned—no asynchronous behavior or callbacks

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Code Examples

Basic usage — Getting a record's sys_id for loggingbasic

// Business Rule to log incident escalations
// Table: incident, When: before, Insert: false, Update: true

if (current.priority.changesTo('1') || current.priority.changesTo('2')) {
    var incidentId = current.getUniqueValue();
    var userName = current.assigned_to.getDisplayValue();
    
    gs.log('Priority escalation detected');
    gs.log('Incident ID: ' + incidentId);
    gs.log('Assigned to: ' + userName);
    
    // Use the sys_id to create a related task
    var task = new GlideRecord('sc_task');
    task.initialize();
    task.parent = incidentId; // Clean, readable sys_id reference
    task.short_description = 'Follow up on priority escalation';
    task.insert();
}

This example shows the most common usage pattern—retrieving a record's sys_id for logging and relationship building. The method provides clean, readable code compared to getValue('sys_id').

Intermediate — Building parent-child relationships in bulk operationsintermediate

// Script Include method to clone incidents with their tasks
cloneIncidentWithTasks: function(originalIncidentId) {
    var original = new GlideRecord('incident');
    if (!original.get(originalIncidentId)) {
        return null;
    }
    
    // Create the cloned incident
    var clone = new GlideRecord('incident');
    clone.initialize();
    clone.short_description = 'CLONE: ' + original.short_description;
    clone.description = original.description;
    var cloneId = clone.insert();
    
    // Clone related tasks using the parent's sys_id
    var tasks = new GlideRecord('sc_task');
    tasks.addQuery('parent', original.getUniqueValue());
    tasks.query();
    
    while (tasks.next()) {
        var newTask = new GlideRecord('sc_task');
        newTask.initialize();
        newTask.parent = cloneId; // Link to the cloned incident
        newTask.short_description = tasks.short_description;
        newTask.insert();
    }
    
    return cloneId;
}

This demonstrates using getUniqueValue() to maintain referential integrity across related records. The method ensures clean parent-child relationships during bulk operations.

Advanced — Handling edge cases with empty recordsadvanced

// Script Include method with proper error handling
validateAndProcessRecord: function(tableName, recordId) {
    var gr = new GlideRecord(tableName);
    
    // Attempt to get the record
    if (!gr.get(recordId)) {
        gs.error('Record not found: ' + tableName + '/' + recordId);
        return false;
    }
    
    // Verify we actually have a valid record
    var currentId = gr.getUniqueValue();
    if (!currentId) {
        gs.error('Retrieved record has no sys_id - possible data corruption');
        return false;
    }
    
    // Safe to proceed with business logic
    gs.info('Processing record: ' + currentId);
    
    // Example of checking before creating new records
    var relatedRecord = new GlideRecord('sys_audit');
    relatedRecord.initialize();
    relatedRecord.tablename = gr.getTableName();
    relatedRecord.documentkey = currentId; // Guaranteed to be valid
    relatedRecord.fieldname = 'state';
    relatedRecord.insert();
    
    return true;
}

This shows proper defensive programming with getUniqueValue(), handling cases where records might not exist or might be corrupted. Always validate the return value before using it in critical operations.

Gotchas

New records that haven't been inserted yet return an empty string, not null—always check with if (gr.getUniqueValue()) before using the value.

The method returns exactly the same value as getValue('sys_id') but with better readability—there's no performance difference between them.

Failed GlideRecord.get() calls leave the object in a state where getUniqueValue() returns an empty string, so always verify your query succeeded first.

The returned string is always lowercase hexadecimal with no dashes—don't expect UUID formatting like you might see in other systems.

Calling this method on GlideRecord objects that were never queried (just instantiated with new GlideRecord()) returns an empty string, not an error.

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