How to Get Display Value of Reference Field in ServiceNow
In the world of ServiceNow, reference fields play a crucial role in connecting different tables and entities. These fields allow users to establish relationships between various records, making it easier to manage and retrieve related information. However, one common challenge faced by users is retrieving the display value of a reference field. In this article, we will explore various methods to achieve this in ServiceNow.
Understanding Reference Fields
Before diving into the methods to retrieve the display value of a reference field, it is essential to understand what a reference field is. A reference field is a type of field that links one record to another in the same or a different table. It is often used to establish relationships between related entities, such as a customer to an account or a ticket to a problem.
Method 1: Using the Display Value Formula
One of the simplest ways to get the display value of a reference field is by using the display value formula. This formula allows you to display the value of a reference field as a text string. To use this formula, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the table containing the reference field.
2. Click on the “Form” tab.
3. Select the reference field for which you want to retrieve the display value.
4. In the “Field Properties” section, click on the “Display Value” field.
5. Enter the formula `sys_id` (without quotes) in the formula field. This will display the sys_id of the referenced record.
6. Save the form.
Now, when you view the record, the display value of the reference field will be the sys_id of the referenced record.
Method 2: Using the Display Value Formula with a Lookup Table
In some cases, you may want to display a more meaningful value for the reference field. To achieve this, you can use a lookup table along with the display value formula. Here’s how to do it:
1. Create a lookup table containing the display values you want to show for the reference field.
2. In the reference field’s display value formula, use the following syntax: `sys_display()` (without quotes).
3. Save the form.
This method will display the display value from the lookup table instead of the sys_id.
Method 3: Using the GetReferenceDisplayValue Function
ServiceNow provides a custom script function called `GetReferenceDisplayValue` that can be used to retrieve the display value of a reference field. To use this function, follow these steps:
1. Open a custom script form.
2. In the script, use the following syntax: `GetReferenceDisplayValue(sys_id, table_name)`.
3. Replace `sys_id` with the sys_id of the referenced record and `table_name` with the name of the table containing the reference field.
4. Run the script.
The script will return the display value of the reference field.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed three methods to retrieve the display value of a reference field in ServiceNow. By using these methods, you can easily display meaningful values for your reference fields, making it easier for users to understand and manage the relationships between different records.
