Prevent a record from saving with a Business Rule message
Block a record from being saved and show the user an error message
Configure a User's Notification Preferences
Users get flooded with notifications they don't need while missing the ones they do. This guide shows you how to control a user's notification preferences, either by walking them through it or managing it directly as an admin.
Create a Client Script in ServiceNow
Client scripts let you control what happens on forms in real-time — hide fields based on user selections, validate input before submission, or auto-populate related data. This guide walks you through creating each type and understanding when to use which one.
Update a field on the current record in a Business Rule
Modify a field value on the triggering record in a Before Business Rule
Check if a record exists without iterating
Determine whether a matching record exists using hasNext()
Make a field mandatory dynamically in a Client Script
Dynamically set a field as mandatory or optional based on another field's value
Query incidents by assignment group
Get all open incidents assigned to a specific group
Elevate to Security Admin in ServiceNow
ACL rules control who can read, write, create, and delete records in ServiceNow, but even admins can't modify them without the security_admin elevation. This guide walks you through the elevation process and explains how the temporary security role system works.
Get the current record sys_id in a Client Script
Retrieve the sys_id of the record currently open in the form
Create a Dashboard in ServiceNow
Dashboards give you a single visual page combining multiple reports, lists, and metrics for teams or managers. You'll build one from scratch and set up sharing so the right people see it by default.
Look up a user record by sys_id in a Script Include
Fetch a sys_user record by sys_id and return key fields as an object
Configure Email Recipients on a Notification
Notifications send emails to the right people when something happens in ServiceNow. This guide walks you through setting up recipients so your emails reach exactly who they should without duplicates or missing people.
Run onChange logic only when the field actually changes
Execute logic only when a field value changes, skipping form load
Create a class-based Script Include
Define a reusable server-side library using the class-based Script Include pattern
Get a single record by sys_id
Retrieve a single record directly by its sys_id
Create a UI Policy in ServiceNow
UI policies let you control form field visibility and behavior based on conditions — hide irrelevant fields, make others mandatory, or set them read-only. This guide walks you through creating a policy with conditions and actions that work reliably.
Impersonate a User in ServiceNow
User impersonation lets you test the platform exactly as another user sees it, with their roles, domain restrictions, and personalized settings. You'll switch your active session to theirs and back without needing their credentials.
setValue Not Persisting on GlideRecord
I call gr.setValue() in a Business Rule but the value isn't saved to the database after update().
Add Variables to a Catalog Item
Variables turn a static catalog item into a dynamic form that collects exactly the information you need from requesters. This guide shows you how to add the most common variable types and organize them for a clean user experience.
Prevent a Client Script from Running on New Records
Client scripts that should only run when editing existing records will slow down form loads and cause validation errors when they fire during record creation. This guide shows you how to add the proper checks to prevent scripts from running on new records.
Create a Catalog Item in ServiceNow
Service catalog items give users a clean self-service way to request things from IT and other teams. This guide walks you through building one from scratch and getting it live.
Switch the Active Update Set
When you're working on multiple customizations, you need to switch which update set captures your changes. This guide shows you how to make a different update set active without moving your existing work.
Insert a new record with GlideRecord
Create a new database record programmatically
Disable or Suppress an Email Notification
Email notifications that fire too often or at the wrong time create noise for users and make important messages easy to miss. This guide shows you how to stop notifications temporarily or permanently using three different approaches.
Get the parent request from an RITM
Navigate from a Requested Item record up to its parent Request record
Export a Report to Excel or PDF
Reports generate valuable data, but stakeholders outside ServiceNow need it in familiar formats. This guide shows you how to export report results as Excel spreadsheets or PDFs for sharing and offline analysis.
Create a Catalog Category
Catalog categories organize service catalog items into logical groups that make sense to your users. This guide shows you how to create categories, set their visibility, and get them displaying properly in the portal.
Configure a List Layout
List layouts control which columns appear on table views and in what order. This guide shows you how to modify them properly so everyone sees the data they need without breaking personal customizations.
Field Not Visible on Form in ServiceNow
A field exists in the database but I can't see it on the form, even in the form designer.
Auto-populate a field based on another field in a Business Rule
Auto-fill a field value based on what the user enters in a related field
Make a Field Mandatory with a Client Script
UI policies handle most conditional field requirements, but they break down when you need complex logic or custom conditions. This guide shows you how to use client scripts to make fields mandatory based on business rules that UI policies can't express.
Check if the current user has a role
Determine whether the current user holds a specific security role
Test an Email Notification Without Sending Real Emails
Email notifications that fire at the wrong time or contain broken variable references create support tickets and confused users. This guide shows you how to test notification logic and preview email content before switching on notifications for real users.
Configure the Instance Time Zone
Your ServiceNow instance needs a default time zone to determine how dates and times display across the platform. This guide walks you through setting the instance-wide default and understanding how user preferences interact with it.
Set a field value in a Client Script
Programmatically set the value of a form field from a Client Script
Get the display value of a reference field
Read the display label of a reference field rather than its sys_id
Report Showing No Data in ServiceNow
A report I created shows 'No data to display' even though I know there are records that should appear.
g_form Is Undefined in ServiceNow Client Script
My Client Script throws 'g_form is not defined' or 'Cannot read properties of undefined' errors in the browser console.
Dynamic Default Value Pattern
Use this pattern when you need to reduce user input effort by intelligently pre-filling form fields based on context, user attributes, or related data. It's particularly valuable in catalog items, incident forms, and any scenario where default values depend on dynamic conditions rather than static business rules.
Query incidents by caller
Retrieve all incidents raised by a specific user
Add a Field to a Form for All Users
Dictionary fields exist on your table but users can't see them unless they're added to the form layout. This guide shows you how to expose existing fields so all users can view and edit them on every record.
Service Catalog Item Not Loading in Service Portal
When I click a catalog item in the Service Portal, the page doesn't load or shows a blank form.
Knowledge Article Not Visible to Users in ServiceNow
I published a knowledge article but users can't find it in the Knowledge Base or Service Portal.
Create a Business Rule in ServiceNow
Business Rules let you run server-side JavaScript automatically when records change. This guide walks you through creating one that fires at the right time and does what you need without slowing down your instance.
Add a User to a Group
Groups control access to applications, assignment rules for incidents and requests, and notification recipients. This guide shows you both ways to add users and explains how group membership affects permissions.
Hide and show a form section
Show or hide an entire form section based on a field value
Query all active incidents using GlideRecord
Retrieve all active incident records
Create a User Group in ServiceNow
User groups are the foundation for assigning work, routing notifications, and organizing permissions across your instance. This guide walks you through creating a group and configuring the key settings that control how it behaves.
Log a message to the system log
Write a debug, info, warn, or error message to the ServiceNow system log
Retire and Hide a Catalog Item
When IT services change or get discontinued, you need to pull catalog items from the user interface without breaking existing requests. This guide shows you how to properly retire catalog items while maintaining your request history and giving you options for temporary hiding.
Update multiple records in a GlideRecord loop
Loop through records and update each one
Attachment Size Limit Being Hit in ServiceNow
Users get an error when uploading attachments, or large attachments silently fail to upload.
Query incidents by state value
Filter incidents by a specific state value such as In Progress
Add a Custom Category to Incidents
Incident categories help users classify requests consistently and help your team route them efficiently. This guide walks you through adding new category or subcategory values to the classification system.
Make a field read-only in a Client Script
Prevent users from editing a specific field without hiding it
Create a Report in ServiceNow
Reports give you visual breakdowns of data sitting in ServiceNow tables — incident counts by priority, change success rates over time, or user assignments by department. This guide walks you through building one using the Report Designer and getting it where others can see it.
Schedule a Report to Email Recipients
Scheduled reports automatically deliver report results to users or groups on whatever frequency you set. You'll have a working automated report delivery that runs in the background without any manual intervention.
Email Notification Not Sending in ServiceNow
I configured a notification but users aren't receiving emails. The notification record looks correct and I can't see any errors.
Client Script Not Running in ServiceNow
My Client Script is active and saved, but it doesn't execute when I load or change the form.
Find a CI by name or IP address
Look up a Configuration Item by its name or IP address
Prevent form submission with a validation message
Block a form from being submitted when validation fails
Trigger Business Rule logic only when a specific field changes
Run logic only when a targeted field value has changed
Get all users in a group
Retrieve all members of a specific sys_user_group
Reset a User's Password in ServiceNow
When users get locked out or forget passwords, you need to reset their credentials fast. This guide shows you the two admin tools for password resets and unlocking accounts.
Configure Session Timeout Settings
ServiceNow's default session timeout might not match your organization's security requirements or user workflow patterns. This guide shows you how to configure idle timeout periods, warning dialogs, and understand when the changes take effect.
Scheduled Job Not Running in ServiceNow
My Scheduled Script Execution (sysauto_script) is configured but it never runs at the scheduled time.
Add days to a date
Calculate a future or past date by adding or subtracting a number of days
Read a display value vs stored value from a choice field
Get both the stored integer value and the display label of a choice field
User Cannot Log In to ServiceNow
A user reports they can't log into the instance. They get an error or are redirected back to the login page.
Deactivate a User Account
When someone leaves your organization, you need to cut off their access immediately without losing their work history or breaking audit trails. This guide walks you through properly deactivating a user account and handling the session management piece that trips up most admins.
Create an Email Notification in ServiceNow
Email notifications replace manual updates and status emails by automatically sending messages when records change or meet specific conditions. You'll build one that knows who to notify, when to fire, and what to say.
Relate a CI to an Incident
Linking configuration items to incidents connects your CMDB to real operational problems. You'll turn scattered incident reports into traceable system issues with proper impact visibility.
Compare two GlideDateTime values
Determine which of two dates is earlier, later, or if they are equal
Get the current user's sys_id
Retrieve the sys_id of the currently logged-in user
Order GlideRecord query results
Sort GlideRecord results by a field ascending or descending
Now Learning Exam Voucher Not Working
My ServiceNow exam voucher is being rejected at Pearson VUE when I try to register for the exam.
Limit GlideRecord query results
Limit a GlideRecord query to a specific number of rows
Auto-Populate Fields with a Business Rule
Business rules let you automatically set field values when records are created or updated, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring consistency. You'll build a rule that populates fields based on other field values the moment someone saves a record.
Get the current user's name and email
Retrieve the full name and email address of the currently logged-in user
Flash a field to draw attention
Briefly highlight a form field to draw the user's attention to it
Get a user's manager sys_id
Retrieve the manager reference for a specific user record
Null check a reference field in GlideRecord
Safely check whether a reference field is populated before accessing it
Create a Flow in Flow Designer
Flows give you a visual way to automate ServiceNow processes without writing code — they're what ServiceNow built to replace Workflows for all new automation. This guide walks you through creating your first Flow from trigger to published automation.
Create an Update Set in ServiceNow
Update Sets capture your configuration changes so you can move customizations from development to production instances. This guide walks you through creating one and understanding what it does and doesn't capture.
Display a message under a field
Show an informational or error message under a specific form field
Create a New User in ServiceNow
Sometimes you need to create a user account directly in ServiceNow instead of waiting for automatic provisioning or import feeds. This guide gets you a working user record with the right authentication setup.
Send an Email Notification from a Workflow
Workflows need to send emails at specific steps — when an approval comes back, when a task completes, when something fails. This guide shows you how to configure the Notification activity to send automated emails with access to your workflow's scratchpad data.
UI Action Not Appearing on Form in ServiceNow
I created a UI Action (button or context menu item) but it doesn't appear on the form for me or my users.
Use Variables in a Notification Email Body
Notification emails need dynamic data — the ticket number, assignee name, or custom field values from the record. This guide shows you how to pull that data into email bodies using ServiceNow's variable syntax.
Read a system property value
Read a ServiceNow system property by its key name
Call a Script Include from a Business Rule
Invoke a Script Include function from within a Business Rule
Get the current date and time
Retrieve the current date and time as a GlideDateTime object
Clear the ServiceNow Cache
When you make configuration changes and users still see old behavior, ServiceNow is serving cached versions of your updates. This guide shows you how to flush the cache properly without causing unnecessary performance hits.
Set a System Property Value
System properties control platform-wide behavior like session timeouts, UI settings, and feature toggles. This guide shows you how to find, modify, and create these configuration settings safely.
Set the Fulfillment Group on a Catalog Item
When users order catalog items, someone needs to fulfill those requests — but only if the tasks land with the right team. This guide shows you how to set the fulfillment group so catalog tasks automatically assign to the people who can actually complete the work.
Get the sys_id of a record inserted with GlideRecord
Capture the sys_id of a newly created record after insertion
Retire a Knowledge Article
Retiring a knowledge article removes it from end-user search results while keeping it accessible to admins and preserving its history. You'll have a clean way to handle outdated content without losing valuable documentation or breaking existing links.
Hide and show a field in a Client Script
Programmatically show or hide a form field based on another field's value
Make a Field Read-Only with a UI Policy
UI policies let you control which fields users can edit based on form conditions — like making budget fields read-only after approval. You'll set up a condition and read-only action that enforces client-side restrictions without blocking server processes.
Check if the form is in insert mode or edit mode
Determine whether the form is creating a new record or editing an existing one
Personalize a Form Layout
You need to tweak a form layout for how you work — maybe hide fields you never use or reorder them to match your workflow. This guide shows you how to personalize forms for yourself without affecting anyone else.
Export an Update Set for Transfer
Update sets move your configuration changes from one instance to another — dev to test, test to prod, or between development teams. This guide shows you how to complete an update set and export it for transfer.
sys_id Showing in Reference Field Display Instead of Name
A reference field on my form or in a list shows a raw sys_id instead of the expected display name.
Create a Configuration Item in the CMDB
Configuration Items represent your infrastructure and applications in ServiceNow's Configuration Management Database. This guide walks you through manually creating CIs with the right class selection and field setup.
Test a Flow in Flow Designer
Flow Designer lets you test flows against real records before deploying them to production. This guide shows you how to run test executions, step through each action, and trace errors back to specific steps.
Hide and Show Fields with a Client Script
Client scripts let you show and hide form fields based on what users select or type, creating cleaner forms that adapt to user needs. You'll build onChange scripts that control field visibility in real-time.
Get a field value in a Client Script
Read the current value of a form field from a Client Script
Create a Knowledge Article in ServiceNow
Knowledge articles let your end users find answers without creating incidents or calling the service desk. This guide walks you through creating an article, routing it through approval, and getting it published.
Assign a Role to a User
Users can't access ServiceNow modules or features without the right roles. This guide shows you how to assign roles directly to a user record and get them the access they need.
Business Rule Not Firing in ServiceNow
My Business Rule is active but it's not executing when I save the record.