Hello Developer Community!
Today I'm sharing a hands-on example of using Transform Maps to get external data from csv into the ServiceNow Platform without creating any duplicate records. Hope this is helpful for you!
Introduction:
In ServiceNow, a Transform Map is a tool to define how data in an Import Set Table is moved to a Target table. It maps and transforms the incoming data so that it can be stored correctly in the database.
How Transform Maps work:
CSV / Data -> Import Set Table (Staging) -> Transform Map (Field Map & Rules) -> Target Table
- Load Data: Import data into an Import set table.
- Create Transform Map: Link Import set table to Target table.
- Map Fields: Define rule to match source columns to Target table Fields.
- Transform: Create or Update Target table.
- Verify the Target table if records are imported accurately.
Step 1: Load Data into Import Set Table
1. Navigate to All > System Import Sets > Load Data.
2. In Import set table, select create table. Give Name to the table (example: u_incidents).
3. In Source of the import. Click Choose file --> Select file (example: 'incident.csv')
4. Click on Submit Button
ServiceNow will create a table ‘u_incidents’ and store the csv data inside it.
Step 2: Create a Transform Map
1. Navigate to All > System Import Sets > Create Transform Map
2. Click on Submit button.
Step 3: Define Field Mapping
1. Open Transform Map Record (Example: ‘Import the Incidents’)
2. Scroll down to the Related list ‘Field Map’.
3. Click on ‘New’ and create the mapping for Source Field and Target Field as follows:
Coalesce is used to ensure that if the Import set data have the same incident number, then ServiceNow will update the existing record instead of duplicate record creation.
Step 4: Run the Transform Map
1. Go to the System Import Sets > Advanced > Import Sets
2. Open the record for your csv in Data source
3. Within the Related links, Click Transform
4. Select ‘Import the Incidents’
5. Click on Transform button.
Step 5: Verify if the Incidents are imported
1. Go to Incidents > All
2. Search for the Number from your csv Data.
3. Verify if the imported values match the csv data.
Step 6 (Optional): Test the Coalesce Function
1. Change the values for the records in the csv Data.
2. Navigate to System Import Sets > Load Data. Choose Existing table (u_incidents)
3. Upload your modified csv file within Source of import. Click on Submit.
4. Run Transform.
5. Verify if the Existing records are updated (As Coalesce is set on the ‘Number’) or if new records are created in the Incidents table (If the Number doesn’t have matching record).
Conclusion:
Transform Map provides a structured way to bring the external data in ServiceNow Platform with cleanliness and consistency. With above steps you can easily import and update the data in your instance. By mapping fields carefully and applying coalesce rules,we can efficiently and reliably import and update the bulk data within instance. Also, it safeguards the data integrity and uniqueness.
Please mark it as 👍 if this walk-through is helpful for you.
Regards,
Shruti.
