Catalog Item Reference Qualifier Not Working in Try It but Works in Portal

[TejasLogicX_11]

Hi Community,

I recently worked on a catalog item variable where I used a Lookup Select Box that referred to the Groups [sys_user_group] table. I needed to filter the groups dynamically using a Reference Qualifier.

Here’s the qualifier I used:

javascript: "type="+ current.variables.deaprtment;

At first, I thought my qualifier was incorrect because it didn’t filter the results when I tested the catalog item using the “Try It” button in Studio/Designer. I spent almost 2 hours reviewing my query and debugging, but everything looked correct.

Finally, I tested the same catalog item from the Service Portal, and to my surprise, the reference qualifier worked exactly as expected.

Key learning:

• The “Try It” button does not always reflect portal behavior for catalog items.

• Always test catalog item variables and their reference qualifiers directly in the Service Portal, since that’s where end users will access them.

Hopefully this saves some time for others facing the same confusion.

If my response/article helped you, please mark it as the correct answer and close the thread — this helps other readers in the community.

Regards,

Tejas 
🚀 ServiceNow Developer | 🏆 HackaNow Finalist | 💡 Community Contributor
📧 Email: tejas.adhalrao11@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tejas1018

[palanikumar]

Hi,

This is know behavior in the default portal. To make it work you need to set the "Variable Attributes" of the variable to "ref_qual_elements=deaprtment" (ensure the spelling is correct)

This will get updated reference every time.

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@TejasLogicX_11 

Lookup select box and List collector need variable attribute ref_qual_elements to grab the real time value of the variable on form

Without this your reference qualifier won't work in native or portal.

If my response helped please mark it correct and close the thread so that it benefits future readers.