How to make a reference field appear as dropdown list?

[MG Casey]

The Notification Messages table has a particularly interesting field called the Device field:

It is actually a reference field, but instead of the user having to type in text to get possible selections, it just acts as a normal drop-down box.

I've tried to recreate this functionality in my own fields by using the same dictionary entry values, but no luck:

Its Choice List specification tab:

Any ideas on how to make that kind of field? It has some appeal for reference fields where users may not know possible values.

[Chuck Tomasi · Accepted solution]

Hi MG,

I use these all the time (for short reference lists anyway.) You pretty much spotted it in your screen shot.

Just change the dictionary choice list specification to Dropdown (with None usually works best for me.)

System Dictionary - ServiceNow Wiki

[MG Casey]

Hmm interesting, I thought I had tried that and it didn't affect the field I did it on. I'll try a few more tests.

Thanks - it's good to know that someone else has got it working!

[Chuck Tomasi]

Yup, just confirmed it by changing the assignment_group on incident form normal reference to choice. Just change that choice list type from None to Dropdown with None and you should be all set.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[MG Casey]

Yep, you're right. I just tested in my developer instance on the same field, and just to make sure, made a new reference field to a custom table, which also worked.

I'll have to investigate why it's not working in my particular work instance. Thank you for your help!