In a catalog item, is there anyway to mimic an excel like table?

D Dejesus · ‎12-01-2015

I've run into a recurring problem when converting 'paper' forms into catalog items, in that many times a variable numbered, but repeating set of elements needs capturing. I'm rather new to ServiceNow, and was wondering if I'm just ignorant of a solution, but is there anyway to mimic table like functionality?

Meaning...

Have multiple defined columns of mixed variable types (single line, check box, yes/no drop down)
All information is written in by the user, nothing is stored in db tables anywhere
Making at least 1 full row mandatory
Allowing the option for multiple rows to be filled in and seen on the request item after submit

Even being able to just repeat a container full of variables at the press of a button would probably work. Filling out the same form multiple times is not really an option, and I worry that the only real solution here is attaching a spread sheet to fill out to the catalog item.

TrevorK · ‎12-01-2015

What Nathan has said above is our experience - you can use a UI Page to create a table that allows you all the flexibility in the world, but the challenge is that the UI Page variables are not (by default) saved with the other variables so when you display the "Variable Editor" within your Requested Item / Task, the values do not appear. This is why the SN Grid solution saves them to a Related List - so that they can appear.

We went back and did something slightly different because we wanted to use the Variable Editor. We have created a couple small tables like this with a fixed number of rows:

Each field is it's own variable and it uses out of the box functionality (we use a client script to hide the labels for the fields). That said, I cannot see why you could not have a button to show or hide each of the roles to mimic what you are looking for in a very low tech way. The advantage is that these fields will show up in the Variable Editor in the Requested Item. While we have used UI Pages in some spots, it only works in spots where the Variable Editor is not used (we just put the table details into the Description or Work Notes).

If you can come up with something more glamorous I am definitely interested in hearing it because we do a lot of form conversion as well and this is our challenge. So please share!

View solution in original post

cwilkerbb · ‎12-01-2015

I've had luck with this Share content:

ServiceNow Share

It essentially creates a UI Macro that you can include with a Variable Set. Included in the Variable Set is a "_results" variable that will take your result and put it into JSON format. If you want to parse it in a Workflow, for instance, you could then just parse the JSON and iterate through the object. Since it's a Macro variable, it will show up fine in the RITM Variables.

-Chris

ChrisRoyer · ‎12-01-2015

I was hoping that Handsontable | Excel-like spreadsheet for web apps. Handsontable is ready to use, open and free Java... would be something that could be converted easily using Accelerator and a UI page/UI Macro on the catalog item that can store a JSON string. However my experience in trying to migrate the code to SN hasn't been very successful, and it's more as a nice to have than a hard requirement.

murray_newton · ‎12-01-2015

Can you give an example of your use case. What is a sample catalog item and what would be the table presented?

Uncle Rob · ‎07-09-2019

I COMMAND THIS THREAD TO RISE FROM THE GRAVE AND PROVIDE VALUE!

Even though the Multi-Row Variable Set was recently released, I'm finding even more requests for this kind of functionality than ever before. Wondering what others are experiencing in deploying MRVS. Is it scratching the itch?

TrevorK · ‎07-09-2019

I had high hopes for MRVS to solve all our issues, but to be honest I have personally been a little disappointed. I like that it's easy to setup and I can live with it needing it's own variable set.

However I find the default styling of it leaves much to be desired. From a technical perspective it actually works the same way as our custom widget solutions by loading into a JSON object.

We have used both the UI Page solution and Service Portal widget solution while we waited for this functionality. And, honestly, I prefer the Service Portal widget solution.

For example this is what one of our team members created previous to MRVS being released. I don't think this sort of styling and functionality is possible with MRVS:

This all edits inline with a reference field and looks pretty slick.

I don't get that same feeling from the MRVS (largely unstyled below):

And to add a row:

I will be completely honest, I have only deployed the MRVS for one project. I plan to try my best to use it on upcoming projects as the need arises but I have significant worries that it won't meet our needs (and making it pretty is a "need") the same way a custom widget embedded in the item does.