Looking for Documentation on Email Log [syslog_email] Table in ServiceNow

[annb19]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for official ServiceNow documentation or detailed information about the Email Log [syslog_email] table. Specifically, I’d like to understand:

• When and under what conditions records in this table are created.
• What log levels are available for email logs.
• The types of messages stored in this table and their meanings.

If anyone can share documentation links, insights, or even your own understanding/experience with this table, that would be greatly appreciated.

Please help me, thank you!

[Dominik Simunek]

Email Log [syslog_email] table is populated when records in Email [sys_email] table are processed. E.g., when emails are sent, information is logged in Email Log about its processing like why a user is included in the recipients.

You can partially control the log settings via properties (Advanced email properties). For example, glide.notification.recipient.exclude_logging. These properties might be valuable if you have a big instance and your Email Log table becomes too big as you can turn off some of the unnecessary information logs.

[vaishali231]

hey @annb19 

When records are created

Records in syslog_email are created whenever ServiceNow processes an email, including:

Outbound emails (Notifications, Events, Scheduled Reports, or custom scripts)

Inbound emails that are received and processed

System retries, failures, or ignored emails
Each email in the main Emails [sys_email] table will have related email log entries that show what happened during processing.

Log levels you’ll see
The level field in the log shows the severity or type of the message. Common levels are:

Info – normal steps like queued or sent

Warning – temporary issues or retry notices

Error – failures such as SMTP send errors or bounces

Debug – extra detail when debug logging is enabled

Types of messages stored
Typical entries include:

Queued / Enqueued – email placed in send queue

Sent / Delivered – SMTP handed off the email successfully

Retrying – temporary issues, system will retry send

Send ignored – email not sent due to missing recipients or rules

Bounce / Failed – delivery failed with error from remote server

Inbound Processed – email received and parsed

This table is very useful for debugging email issues, understanding why emails were sent, delayed, retried, or failed.

Official reference link again: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bundle/zurich-platform-administration/page/administer/time/reference...
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If this response helps, please mark it as Accept as Solution and Helpful.
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Regards
Vaishali Singh

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@annb19 

it's straight forward table

It holds outgoing and incoming emails

it's involved in table rotation etc

System email log and mailboxes 

System logs overview and table rotation schedules 

💡 If my response helped, please mark it as correct ✅ and close the thread 🔒— this helps future readers find the solution faster! 🙏

[Anand Kumar P]

Hi @annb19 ,

Refer below link

https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bundle/zurich-platform-administration/page/administer/time/reference...

If my response helped, please mark it as the accepted solution ✅ and give a thumbs up👍.
Thanks,
Anand