Field Level VS Table Level ACLs

[Community Alums]

When both field-level and table-level ACLs exist in ServiceNow, how does the platform decide which one to apply? Which one takes priority, and what's the logic behind that?

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @Community Alums 

Order of Evaluation for ACLs

The order in which ACLs are evaluated in ServiceNow follows a specific hierarchy and is crucial to understanding how access is granted or denied. Here’s the basic order of evaluation:

1. Table-level ACL Evaluation: The system first checks for ACLs on the entire table.
2. Record-level ACL Evaluation: After the table ACLs, the system evaluates record-specific ACLs.
3. Field-level ACL Evaluation: Finally, the system checks the field-specific ACLs for any restrictions on individual fields.

The evaluation order is as follows:

• First, the Table ACLs are checked to determine whether the user has the required permissions on the table.
• Then, the Record ACLs are evaluated to determine if the user can access the specific record.
• Finally, the Field ACLs are evaluated for access to individual fields within the record.

It’s important to note that multiple ACLs can be applied to the same resource (e.g., a record or field). The access control rules are combined, and if any ACL denies access, the user will be denied access to that resource.

[garimakharb · Accepted solution]

In ServiceNow, the most restrictive ACL wins. The platform checks access in this order:

1. Field-level ACL (most specific)

2. Table.field (wildcard)

3. Table-level ACL (least specific)

So if any field-level ACL denies access—even if the table-level allows—it will block the field. ✅ Yes, 100% confirmed — this is how ACL evaluation logic works in ServiceNow.

Tip: Use the Security Debug tool to see exactly which ACLs are evaluated.

[glideFather]

@garimakharb I would like to comment on the 2 - wildcard in ACL is something a little bit different.

• table.field > incident.short_description
  • you specify the access to this particular field
• wildcard > incident.*
  • it will be applied to ALL THE FIELDS THAT ARE NOT EXPLICITLY DEFINED
    • in this case all the fields except of short description, because incident.short_description exists

@Community Alums FYI there was incorrect detail and this is very important difference, be careful about it