Choice field with dependent field refering to the reference table field not working

snehapatel · ‎08-31-2025

Hi,

I have defined a custom table which includes following 2 fields among others:

Field 1 -> reference to sys_user_group

Field 2 -> Choice field with dependent field as Field 1.name (i.e. referring to sys_user_group.name)

The requirement is whenever on Field 1, Group 1 is chosen, the choice field should display certain set of values and when Group 2 is chosen another set of values should be displayed. My choice values are defined against the sys_user_group.name values which is the dependent field.

In the form, whenever I chose a value for Field 1, the choice field field does not show any values. It looks like the matching of the choice values happens against the sysid of sys_user_group and not against the <name> of sys_user_group.

How to make this work. Please help

Rafael Batistot · ‎09-02-2025

Hi @snehapatel

1)

Create a new field (let’s call it group_name), type String, on your custom table.
Mark it as calculated.
In the dictionary record, add the calculation, something like:

// Assuming 'u_group' is your reference field to sys_user_group
if (u_group)
answer = u_group.name;
else
answer = '';

Now, in your choice field dictionary entry, set the Dependent field = group_name.
Define your choice dependencies against group_name values (the human-friendly group names).

2)

You’d need to ensure groups are moved via update sets so they keep the same sys_id in all environments.
This is fragile and not recommended — especially since sys_user_group often contains environment-specific groups.
That’s why using names (via calculated field) or a custom mapping table is a safer and more portable approach.

If you found this response helpful, please mark it as Helpful. If it fully answered your question, consider marking it as Correct. Doing so helps other users find accurate and useful information more easily.

View solution in original post

snehapatel · ‎09-01-2025

@Ankur Bawiskar

I am not trying to showing the group name in 2nd field. The 2nd field is a choice field and the choice values are dependent on group name. For example if on 1st field group A is selected, 2nd field should show values 1,2,3. If group B is selected, then it should should show 4,5,6 and so on. Currently this is no happening as the matching happens against the sys_id and not group.name field even if the dependent field value is group.name.

Thanks,

Sneha

Ankur Bawiskar · ‎09-01-2025

@snehapatel

so you can write onChange client script and then add/remove options using g_form.addOption() and g_form.removeOption()

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

Regards,
Ankur
✨ Certified Technical Architect || ✨ 9x ServiceNow MVP || ✨ ServiceNow Community Leader

Ankur Bawiskar · ‎09-02-2025

@snehapatel

Hope you are doing good.

Did my reply answer your question?

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

Regards,
Ankur
✨ Certified Technical Architect || ✨ 9x ServiceNow MVP || ✨ ServiceNow Community Leader

snehapatel · ‎09-03-2025

@Ankur Bawiskar ,

Thanks for your response

Using add or remove option will defy the purpose of configuring the choices and dependent field. So I would not go for it.

Thanks,

Sneha