Custom Application - Choice List Queries

[kailashthiyagar]

I m working on Custom Application development(new bee) in FUJI Release Service now. I have gone through wiki to understand how it works and practiced in Dev instance.

Here is what i have done and observed

Observation 1:

Once i add choice variable to the form, it creates entries by default(choice1, choice 2, choice 3) in choice list table and once we edit it gets changed automatically as well. I can refer this choice list in future in another form, by just going to configure dictionary and then choosing the configure table.

Question 1:

Cant we create a simple lookup table and refer it similar to the reference type variable? Is it mandatory to create the choice values under choice list module alone?

Observation 2:

If i specify "Suggestion" in the choice dropdown under "choice list specification" in the configure dictionary, rather than showing as dropdown, it shows me as the suggestion field, and i can type value on my own in the choice list

Question 2:

Those value which i entered is not getting added to the choice list table.. but i m getting the values..   So next time, the value which i newly entered is not available for selection.. So the new value cant be reused?

[Michael Ritchie · Accepted solution]

Answers inline below:

1. Cant we create a simple lookup table and refer it similar to the reference type variable? Is it mandatory to create the choice values under choice list module alone?

Choice fields are great when you have a small selection of values.   The choice values are stored in the sys_choice table.   You can add new choices by right clicking on a field and choose configure choices or you can insert them directly in the sys_choice table.   Reference fields are great when you have a large number of choices or you want to allow external systems or non-administers to maintain the list of options.   Reference fields just point to that table and require you choose a valid choice.   You can make a reference type field a choice with a drop down by configuring the dictionary, and set the Choice field on the Choice List Specifications section to Dropdown with None.   Then all the values from the reference table will show up as a dropdown.

2. Those value which i entered is not getting added to the choice list table.. but i m getting the values..   So next time, the value which i newly entered is not available for selection.. So the new value cant be reused?

Choice type fields require you to pick a specific choice value while suggestion type fields allow you to choose a suggestion or enter your own.   New entries if a suggestion are not automatically added as a choice by design, though you could create a business rule to add it to the sys_choice table if need be.

[kailashthiyagar]

michael.ritchie

If i use as a reference field as a choice by setting the attribute as "AJAXReferenceChoice" . it works fine as choice.. but when i change the choice specification as "Suggestion". it changes automatically to a default reference field behaviour

Is it possible to achieve reference and suggestion together???

[Michael Ritchie]

What are you trying to achieve with suggestions?

So earlier you had observed that with suggestions the new entries were not automatically added.   If you go the reference type route, you can actually create new entries in the reference table.   See this Wiki article for example:

Reference Fields - ServiceNow Wiki

[kailashthiyagar]

Thanks michael.ritchie

I m exploring various options before starting with my actual development. I have a requirement where it shows "AutoComplete" values and also it should allow the user to add values on his own, if it doesnt exist.

Choice List with suggestion sound to be fine. And as you said, we can create Business rule to add an entry.. Its acceptable

My architect concern was to maintain the lookup values in a seperate table rather than in the choice list table.. So i m exploring the option..

And finally i have framed all my queries for reference field , will post it in a new thread and tag u.. please help.