Tagging in CSDM Service map

[onkartambak]

Hi all,

I'm working on service mapping in ServiceNow using the CSDM model, and I want to manually add tags to Configuration Items (like application services, servers, etc.).

Can someone guide me on:

• How to add tags to CIs manually?

• Where do I find the tagging option in the CI record?

• Can these tags be used in Service Mapping or filtering CIs?

Any tips or screenshots would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance!

[AJ-TechTrek]

Hi @onkartambak,

1. How to Manually Add Tags to CIs in ServiceNow
Yes, you can manually add tags to any CI or record in ServiceNow, including application services, servers, and other CMDB classes.

Steps to Add a Tag to a CI:
1. Navigate to the CI record
Go to any CI (e.g., cmdb_ci_server, cmdb_ci_appl, etc.).

2. Look for the tag icon
* At the top-right of the record header (next to the record title), you'll see a tag icon (🔖).
* Click it to add or view tags.

3. Enter your custom tag
* Type the tag name (e.g., Critical, Tier-1, AppX-Service) and press Enter.
* You can add multiple tags.

4. Tags are saved in the table: label_entry and associated via label.

2. Where to Find the Tags in CI Record
* Tags are not a field inside the form layout (by default).
* They appear in the form header (record banner) via the Global Tagging feature.
* To manage them in a list view or reports:
* Use a related list for Labels, or
* Query the table: label_entry where table = cmdb_ci_server (or your CI class)

3. Can These Tags Be Used in Service Mapping or Filtering?
Yes — but with considerations:
A. Filtering CIs
* You can use tags in CMDB queries, reports, dashboards, or filters via scripting.
* Example GlideRecord:
var taggedCI = new GlideRecord('cmdb_ci');
* taggedCI.addQuery('sys_id', 'IN', 'SELECT table_sys_id FROM label_entry WHERE label.name="Critical"');
* taggedCI.query();

B. Service Mapping
* Tags are not natively part of the Service Mapping pattern logic, but they can be:
* Used in custom Service Mapping entry points
* Used to group or categorize services
* Used with Service Mapping Filters or CI Groupings
If you want to leverage tags inside Dynamic CI Groups or Business Services, you can:
* Use tagged CIs to define inclusion rules
* Build a CI Group with scripted filter to pull all label.name = "XYZ"

Please appreciate the efforts of community contributors by marking appropriate response as Mark my Answer Helpful or Accept Solution this may help other community users to follow correct solution in future.
 

Thank You
AJ - TechTrek with AJ - ITOM Trainer
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ServiceNow Community MVP 2025

[Pratiksha]

We have implemented tag-based service maps for CIs that were added manually. The approach is as follows: while inserting the CI, we ensure that the associated tags are also created. To achieve this, the same input sheet must include key-value pair information for the tags. Upon insertion, the tags are added automatically.

Additionally, to maintain accuracy when CIs are retired, we’ve implemented a Business Rule that ensures the corresponding tags are also removed. The effectiveness of this setup largely depends on the quality of the data being entered.

Regards, 

Pratiksha

[Mannapuram · Accepted solution]

@AJ-TechTrek I guess, the request is about Tag-based Service Mapping not the classic Tags framework. 

@onkartambak The CI's are mapped to various combination of Key and Value pairs in cmdb_key_value table. This depends on the client's environment.

You can go through this page for theoretical knowledge: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/csh?topicname=map-service-tag.html&version=latest

You can go through this course in ServiceNow University and do the lab under 'Tag-based Mapping' to get a hands-on experience on smaller scale.

https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp?id=learning_course_prev&course_id=ab910af9478ca610c2f2090fe16d43...