ServiceNow Tables Best Practices

_Samay
Tera Expert

Dear Team,

Looking for some help as ServiceNow practices while creating new custom tables, Groups, and Roles.

Please help me to understand what naming standards we should follow while creating custom table in Global or Scoped Application.

Thanks,

2 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS

PrashantLearnIT
Giga Sage

Hi @_Samay 

 

When creating custom tables, groups, and roles in ServiceNow, following best practices for naming conventions ensures consistency, clarity, and maintainability. Here’s a breakdown of naming standards for Global and Scoped Applications:


1. Custom Table Naming Standards

Custom tables in ServiceNow should follow a structured naming convention to avoid conflicts and improve readability.

For Scoped Applications

  • Prefix the table name with the scope name to avoid conflicts.
  • Use lowercase with underscores (_) instead of spaces.
  • Avoid generic names that might conflict with future out-of-box (OOB) updates.
  • Use plural form for table names.

🔹 Example:
For a scoped application called "MyApp", the custom table should be named:

  • Table Label: "Project Requests"
  • Table Name: x_myapp_project_requests
    • x_ → Indicates a custom table.
    • myapp_ → Scoped application name.
    • project_requests → The actual table name (in plural form).

For Global Applications

  • Avoid using "u_" prefix manually unless required (ServiceNow automatically assigns u_ for global custom tables).
  • Use meaningful names that describe the purpose of the table.
  • Keep names concise and readable.

🔹 Example:

  • Table Label: "Employee Records"
  • Table Name: u_employee_records

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid u_test, u_sample, u_data—they are too generic and may cause issues.


2. Naming Standards for Groups

Groups in ServiceNow control access and approvals. Use clear, descriptive names:

🔹 Naming Format:

  • <Function>_<Team/Location>_<Purpose>
  • Use CamelCase or underscores (_).
  • Avoid spaces and abbreviations unless widely recognized.

🔹 Examples:
IT_Support_Admins → IT Support Administrators
HR_Managers_Approval → HR Managers responsible for approvals
Finance_Analysts → Finance Analysts Group


3. Naming Standards for Roles

Roles control permissions and security access in ServiceNow. Follow these best practices:

🔹 Naming Format:

  • Scoped Apps: x_<scope>_<role_name>
  • Global Roles: custom_<function>_role
  • Use singular form for role names.
  • Keep it short but descriptive.

🔹 Examples:
x_myapp_manager → Manager role in "MyApp" scoped application
custom_incident_admin → Custom role for Incident Admins
itil_read_only → Read-only access for ITIL users

🚫 Avoid:
admin2, test_role, abc123 (Unclear, hard to manage)
x_myapp_role1 (Too generic)


Final Best Practices Summary

Custom Tables

  • Scoped: x_<scope>_<table_name>
  • Global: u_<table_name>
  • Use plural form for table names.

Groups

  • Use <Function>_<Team>_<Purpose> (e.g., IT_Operations_Admins).
  • No spaces, use underscores.

Roles

  • Scoped: x_<scope>_<role_name>
  • Global: custom_<function>_role
  • Use singular form.

By following these best practices, you'll create well-structured, scalable, and maintainable custom configurations in ServiceNow. 🚀 Let me know if you need more details!

********************************************************************************************************
Please appreciate the efforts of community contributors by marking the appropriate response as the correct answer and helpful. This may help other community users to follow the correct solution in the future.

********************************************************************************************************
Cheers,
Prashant Kumar
ServiceNow Technical Architect


Community Profile LinkedIn YouTube Medium TopMate
********************************************************************************************************

View solution in original post

5 REPLIES 5

Dr Atul G- LNG
Tera Patron
Tera Patron

Hi @_Samay 

 

https://www.servicenow.com/content/dam/servicenow-assets/public/en-us/doc-type/legal/custom-table-gu...

 

https://www.servicenow.com/community/now-platform-forum/servicenow-seven-best-practices-for-user-and...

 

https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-articles/servicenow-custom-tables-101-what-you-need-t...

*************************************************************************************************************
If my response proves useful, please indicate its helpfulness by selecting " Accept as Solution" and " Helpful." This action benefits both the community and me.

Regards
Dr. Atul G. - Learn N Grow Together
ServiceNow Techno - Functional Trainer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dratulgrover
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LearnNGrowTogetherwithAtulG
Topmate: https://topmate.io/atul_grover_lng [ Connect for 1-1 Session]

****************************************************************************************************************

Hi @_Samay 

"I believe all the answers are relevant here, and everyone has put in effort to provide the best solution. According to the community guidelines, you can accept multiple answers as well

*************************************************************************************************************
If my response proves useful, please indicate its helpfulness by selecting " Accept as Solution" and " Helpful." This action benefits both the community and me.

Regards
Dr. Atul G. - Learn N Grow Together
ServiceNow Techno - Functional Trainer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dratulgrover
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LearnNGrowTogetherwithAtulG
Topmate: https://topmate.io/atul_grover_lng [ Connect for 1-1 Session]

****************************************************************************************************************

@_Samay 

Thank you for marking my response as helpful.

If my response helped please mark it correct and close the thread so that it benefits future readers.

Regards,
Ankur
Certified Technical Architect  ||  9x ServiceNow MVP  ||  ServiceNow Community Leader