Difference between getValue() and getDisplay()

[22eg105p57]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently learning ServiceNow and got confused between the usage of getValue() and getDisplay() methods in scripts.

Can someone clearly explain:

What is the difference between getValue() and getDisplay()?

When should we use getValue() and getDisplay() ? 

Thanks in advance!

[Deepika18]

Hi @22eg105p57 ,

getValue() will retrive the value of the field - incase of reference field you will get the sys ID.

getDisplayValue() will retrive the display value of the field - incase of reference field you will get the Display value instead of sys ID.

Please mark as Accepted if this resolves your issue.

Regards,

Deepika

[Shubham_Jain]

@22eg105p57 

getValue()

• Returns the actual stored value in the database.
• For reference fields, it gives the sys_id.
• For date fields, it gives the raw date-time string.

 Use when you need to work with the real data (e.g., for conditions, comparisons, or updates).

getDisplay()

• Returns the user-friendly display value.
• For reference fields, it gives the name or number (e.g., INC0012345 instead of a sys_id).
• For date fields, it gives the formatted date as seen on the form.

Use when you want to show something to the user or log readable info.

var assignedToValue = g_form.getValue('assigned_to'); // returns sys_id
var assignedToDisplay = g_form.getDisplayValue('assigned_to'); // returns name like "John Doe"

Sharing some of the Coomunity link as well FYR: 

Need a simple and clear answer! - ServiceNow Community

How to use getDisplayValue() and getValue() for ... - ServiceNow Community

Difference between getDisplayBox(), getValue() and... - ServiceNow Community

[Masthan Sharif]

Hi @22eg105p57 ,

Hope you're doing well!

• getValue() returns the raw stored value from the database i.e., actual/internal value of the field—ideal for scripting logic, comparisons, and record processing.

• getDisplayValue() returns the user-facing label or formatted text i.e., label/display value of the field—what you'd actually see on the form.

Here are few examples based on field type:
1. Choice Field (e.g., Priority)

var pr = gr.getValue('priority');         // “1” (the stored value)
var prLabel = gr.getDisplayValue('priority'); // “High” (the display label)

Use getValue() when comparing e.g., if (pr == '1'), but use getDisplayValue() when you want to show "High" to a user in a message.

2. Reference Field (e.g., Caller)

var callerId = gr.getValue('caller_id');   
// → sys_id like "46d44abc0a0a0a0a0a0a0a0a0a0a0a0a"
var callerName = gr.getDisplayValue('caller_id'); 
// → full name "Alice Johnson"

Use getValue() when linking or joining records; use getDisplayValue() for showing user-friendly names.

 

3. Date Fields

var d = gr.getValue('opened_at');         // "2025-07-06"
var disp = gr.getDisplayValue('opened_at');  // also "2025-07-06"

4. Date-Time Fields

var dt = gr.getValue('opened_at');        // "2025-07-06 14:30:00" (UTC storage)
var dtDisp = gr.getDisplayValue('opened_at'); // "2025-07-06 10:30:00" (user timezone)

getValue( ) is generally faster and lighter in terms of performance compared to getDisplayValue()  because it directly retrieves the stored value without additional processing, but getDisplayValue() may involve additional processing to retrieve value.

Please refer to this article for more details & examples:
How to use getDisplayValue() and getValue() for ... - ServiceNow Community

Best Regards,

Sharif