How can I get the display value from oldValue in a client script?

[gjz1]

I have a requirement to store the old display value of a reference field in a string field.  I'm using an onChange client script, but I can't figure out how to get the display value from oldValue.  Does anyone know how I can accomplish this?  What I have written returns the sys_id, I need the display value.

TIA

[gjz1]

I already use this field, but it's not easily searched. The users already rejected this solution, they want a different field that only contains the specific data they are looking for.

[Willem]

Can you make the new field also a reference field? That way you can use oldValue and you can use that new field in searches.

[Willem]

Other option is to use a before update business rule with previous..getDisplayValue() and set that as the value of your field

[gjz1]

This isn't a bad option and one I considered.  I think I'll try this option instead of the client scripts.  At least I can put everything into one code snippet instead of multiple client scripts.

[Stephen Sturde]

Hi gjz,

If you need to use the display value in your script, your best bet is to put it through GlideAjax to a Script Include that does a GlideRecord get on the sys_id from that table and returns the string display value. You can then use the new value in your callback function as needed.

https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/paris-application-development/page/script/ajax/topic/p_AJAX.html