STD CHANGE TEMPLATE modification

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El Cuchi
Tera Guru

‎01-11-2026 06:56 PM

Hi All,

 

I trust this message finds you well.

i have several (300) std change templates related to patching within a specific category.

we are starting to use the scheduled maintenance field within the change form and i need to modify all templates. usually, when a std change templated is modified goes through an approval process prior to be re-published.

 

the million dollar question is....is there a way to bulk updating all 300 std change templates without going through the approval process? or at least modifying them in bulk?

 

regards.

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Prathmeshda
Giga Guru

‎01-11-2026 10:14 PM

Hello @El Cuchi 

In ServiceNow, standard change templates are designed to follow the approval workflow when modified, so any change usually triggers an approval process before being published.

Unfortunately, there is no out-of-the-box way to bulk update standard change templates and bypass approvals safely. Every template change is subject to the approval workflow.

Possible approaches
Use a script to update templates programmatically

  • A scoped script or background script can update fields (like Scheduled Maintenance) on multiple templates at once.

  • You can run it as an admin user.

  • This will bypass the normal UI approval process because it updates the records directly in the database.

  • Caution: Ensure proper testing in DEV / UAT before running in PROD.

    Update templates manually in batches

    • Smaller batches can be edited and published normally, but it will trigger approvals.

      Change workflow temporarily (not recommended)

      • Some organizations temporarily disable approvals for specific updates, but this is risky and may violate change management policies.

       

Recommendation:

  • Use a background script in DEV/UAT to update the scheduled maintenance field for all templates, then move the changes to PROD after testing.

This is the safest way to bulk update without going through individual approvals.
If this response proves useful, please mark it as Accept as Solution and Helpful. Doing so benefits both the community and me. 👍🙂

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Dr Atul G- LNG
Tera Patron

‎01-11-2026 10:34 PM

Hi @El Cuchi 

 

I’m not a developer, but based on my understanding, this isn’t possible in ServiceNow Knowledge Architecture and Standard Change templates. These are two different things but the way of usage is same. Once template is approved, it cannot be modified and moved directly to another instance without bypasssing the approval. Any change would have to be done directly in production and then approved again.

So in your case as well, you would need to add this field to each template and then get it approved manually before using it.

Also, I see this as a good opportunity to review whether all 300 templates are actually in use. You could remove or inactivate the ones that haven’t been used for a long time or are no longer valid.

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