Best practice to handle large dependent choices in Service Catalog variable

[Dedeepya Reddy]

Hi Community,

I have a Service Catalog variable (type: Select Box) that needs to display a large number of choices (hundreds), and the choices are dependent on another field (example: country= India, states = all the state choices to populate). I’m looking for the best-practice approach to:

1. Bulk load/update the choices, and
2. Filter choices dynamically based on another variable’s value.

[SumanthDosapati]

@Dedeepya Reddy 

You can use sys_choice table. 

It has 'Dependent Value' field in it.

Accept the solution and mark as helpful if it does, to benefit future readers.
Regards,
Sumanth

[VaishnaviK43271]

Hi @Dedeepya Reddy !!

For a large number of dependent values (hundreds), Select Box is not recommended.

Best practice is to use Reference variables backed by a table.

1. Bulk load / update choices

• Create a custom table (example: u_state)

• Add fields like u_country and u_state_name

• Bulk load or update data using Import Sets / Excel Data Loader

• This is scalable and easy to maintain

2. Filter choices dynamically

• Use a Reference variable for the dependent field (State)

• Point it to the u_state table

• Add a Reference Qualifier:

u_country=${country}

• This filters state values based on the selected country

Why this approach

• Handles large datasets efficiently

• Easy bulk updates

• Better performance and user experience

• Avoids managing hundreds of static select box choices

Use Select Boxes only for small, static lists.

Mark it helpful if this helps you to understand. Accept solution if this give you the answer you're looking for.

Thank You

[VaishnaviK43271]

Hi @Dedeepya Reddy !!

For a large number of dependent values (hundreds), Select Box is not recommended.

Best practice is to use Reference variables backed by a table.

1. Bulk load / update choices

• Create a custom table (example: u_state)

• Add fields like u_country and u_state_name

• Bulk load or update data using Import Sets / Excel Data Loader

• This is scalable and easy to maintain

2. Filter choices dynamically

• Use a Reference variable for the dependent field (State)

• Point it to the u_state table

• Add a Reference Qualifier:

u_country=${country}

• This filters state values based on the selected country

Why this approach

• Handles large datasets efficiently

• Easy bulk updates

• Better performance and user experience

• Avoids managing hundreds of static select box choices

Use Select Boxes only for small, static lists.

Mark it helpful if this helps you to understand. Accept solution if this give you the answer you're looking for.

Thank You

[VaishnaviK43271]

Hi @Dedeepya Reddy !!

For a large number of dependent values (hundreds), Select Box is not recommended.

Best practice is to use Reference variables backed by a table.

1. Bulk load / update choices

• Create a custom table (example: u_state)

• Add fields like u_country and u_state_name

• Bulk load or update data using Import Sets / Excel Data Loader

• This is scalable and easy to maintain

2. Filter choices dynamically

• Use a Reference variable for the dependent field (State)

• Point it to the u_state table

• Add a Reference Qualifier:

  u_country=${country}

• This filters state values based on the selected country

Why this approach

• Handles large datasets efficiently

• Easy bulk updates

• Better performance and user experience

• Avoids managing hundreds of static select box choices

Use Select Boxes only for small, static lists.

Mark it helpful if this helps you to understand. Accept solution if this give you the answer you're looking for.

Thank You