Need to generate a PDF in ServiceNow without attaching it to any record, for use in email.

[Astik Thombare]

Hi Community,

I'm generating a PDF file in ServiceNow that I intend to use for sending an email. I don’t want this file to be attached to any record, as I plan to retrieve it using the file name. However, the GlideSysAttachment API requires a table name and a record sys_id to create the attachment.

I’m aware that we can use a "before insert" Business Rule to attach the file to the sys_email record, but since the PDF contains a large number of records, I’m concerned this may impact performance.

Is there any way to create or temporarily store the file without linking it to a specific record?

Thanks in advance!

[Muhammad Salar]

Hello, The only way i can think of is that you can attach it to record, download it and then delete it immediately in same code. 
I have done it with ui action like this

if (typeof window == 'undefined') {

   remove();

}

function pdf() {

    var sysId = g_form.getUniqueValue().toString();

    var kbGa = new GlideAjax('downloadDocument');

    kbGa.addParam('sysparm_name', 'getContentForPdf');

    kbGa.addParam('sys_id', sysId);

    kbGa.getXML(getRequired);

    function getRequired(response) {

        var answer = response.responseXML.documentElement.getAttribute("answer");

        var json = JSON.parse(answer);

        for (var i = 0; i < json.length; i++) {

            top.window.open('/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=' + json[i].id);

            gsftSubmit(null, g_form.getFormElement(), 'action_name');

        }

    }

}

function remove() {

    var rem = new downloadDocument();

    rem.removeAtt(current.sys_id);

    gs.addInfoMessage('deleted');

    action.setRedirectURL(current);  

}

[Muhammad Salar]

Hello, did you try this approach?