Number Maintenance Counter

[c_hayes]

We recently changed from the Prefix TASK for our records to REQUEST. It starts at 0 and has 7 digits

For some reason, the request numbers are logging oddly. Instead of going 0000001, 0000002, 0000003, etc. They are skipping numbers. I thought it could just be an increment thing but the numbers aren't moving at a constant rate like going up by 2 or 4.

Currently when I look at all requests I get

0000020

0000026

0000036

0000040

0000044

0000046

0000047

0000056

0000057

Does anyone know why the interval of the request numbers isn't consistent and how to fix this?

[SanjivMeher]

Hi Colin,

If the records are opened but not submitted, those numbers are used and the counter increases, whether or not the record was submitted.

[c_hayes · Accepted solution]

Nevermind, we got it. We forgot that when you open a request and don't do anything to it that it skips the number. Even if you exit without saving or submitting it every time you press new request it logs the number as used. So the original question is answered but does anyone know if there is a way around this?

[SanjivMeher]

I wont recomment the below though. Because the number doesnt appear on number field.

5 Preventing Numbering Gaps

By default, numbers are generated every time a new record is created. When records are created but not saved, a gap in the numbering is created. To generate numbers only when records are saved, navigate to System Properties > System and set the property Assign a task number only upon insert (prevents unused numbers) to true.

Reference

http://wiki.servicenow.com/index.php?title=Managing_Record_Numbering#gsc.tab=0

[Mohammad Nayeem]

To prevent such gaps in the Numbers, you need to set a system property.

1. Navigate to System Properties > System.
2. Set the property Assign a task number only upon insert (prevents unused numbers), glide.itil.assign.number.on.insert, to true.
3. Click Save.

https://docs.servicenow.com/administer/field_administration/task/t_PreventNumberingGaps.html