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

Uncle Rob · ‎07-09-2019

My problem with MRVS was its absolutely HORRIFIC integration with ServicePortal.

As soon as you're on that Line Item editor window there's nothing in all of creation that can reach back and get you information from the parent form. That means you can't use parent form info to do any reference qualification.

And every time I've brought it up, I'm told that's ON PURPOSE.

TrevorK · ‎07-09-2019

Our only implementation of it was very basic text entry fields so I did not experience what you are mentioning. However that does seem like a huge limitation to place on the MRVS when it is unable to interact with the parent form. I can definitely see use cases for that if we were to migrate other existing forms towards it.

After all this time I expected a little more polish on MRVS. We have been without it for what feels like forever, having to do a bunch of different workarounds to make it happen. Now that it arrived it just feels....underwhelming...being that it is such a critical piece to a Service Catalog, and a Service Catalog underpins so many different user facing pieces of the portals being built since it is a way to request service.

Uncle Rob · ‎07-09-2019

I've been screaming about a multi-million dollar use case for years.

Any company that deals in chains or franchises will have to deal with Income Journal Reconciliations. The franchise books need reconciliation with mothership. Depending on the company this can be as often as daily.

Most often its done by outsourcing to massive onshore teams, and companies just say "well, hiring that entire team is just the cost of doing business".

But if I could just blankity-blank copy from blanity-blank Excel and paste it into a blankity-blank line item interface on Catalog... THE ENTIRE PROBLEM GOES AWAY INSTANTLY.

TrevorK · ‎07-09-2019

It sounds like someone has their million dollar idea for the Hackathon at Knowledge20 in Orlando...

I always think I am missing the obvious but why is there not a team at ServiceNow that handles these emerging ideas for new business? I know in our institution we have several things that seem just common sense we have had to do ourselves that the platform should be doing for us. We have a couple great areas of disruption that I see around our institute when we are performing processes using out-dated methods or using "industry leading software" that is merely a port onto the cloud.

Maybe I am just too ambitious but when you get a platform like ServiceNow the answer is always "Yes". Or should be.