The Xanadu release for ServiceNow brings a wealth of new features and enhancements, particularly for UI Builder and Workspaces, designed to streamline workflows, enhance user experience, and improve performance. Below, we'll explore the key updates and innovations introduced in this release.
Remember that, as of Washington D.C., UI Builder is now a Store app! This means that we are now releasing three versions of UI Builder with each release: the base version that ships with the new release and then two separate store releases. We refer to these as "Xanadu Store Release 1" or "XSR1" for example.
You must go to the "Application Manager" (all > plugins) to access upgrades for it. If you don't see the correct version available to you, make sure to re-sync to store (even if it shows you synced today).
UI Builder Versions:
Last Washington Version: 25.2.6
Initial Xanadu Version: 26.0.35
Xanadu Store Release 1: 26.1.66
If you don't see the features below, make sure to upgrade your UI Builder version. Also, check out more information on our official release notes on the docs site!
Workspaces
Reference Field Updates
This feature empowers users to access more relevant reference search results by applying pre-filtered, removable query parameters to reference lists. These parameters supplement reference qualifiers that cannot be removed by end users, enabling more precise searches. Reference fields now also have better support searching in localized languages, go give it a try!
Client Scripts for Field Decorators
Administrators can now add field decorators to various field types using client scripts. This enhancement offers more flexibility in customizing the appearance and behavior of fields within Workspaces. This is a parity feature that now works in workspaces.
Pre-filter Records on the Multi-record Associator
With this update, records on the multi-record associator can be pre-filtered using typeahead searches and scripts. This functionality makes it easier to narrow down relevant records quickly, improving efficiency in managing associations.
Date and Time Selection
The calendar for date and time selection has been redesigned. Now, users can select a month and year from a list and enter time in a text box, offering a more intuitive and streamlined experience.
Back to Group Button for List Experiences
The introduction of a "Back to Group" button allows users to navigate back to the previous grouped list, enhancing the usability of list experiences within Workspaces.
Workspace Activity Stream Tagging
Tagging is now available in the Workspace Activity Stream, enabling users to categorize and filter records. Administrators can set up tags through UI Builder, which agents can use to tag posts in real time. Although agents cannot create tags during runtime in this initial release, this feature significantly enhances the organization and retrieval of activity stream data.
Workspace Email Enhancements
The embedded email client has seen various improvements, including the ability to show or hide the email header, edit email addresses, and receive alerts for invalid drafts. Other enhancements include better draft management with larger compose areas, auto-loading of recent drafts, and support for international characters in email addresses. These updates are designed to streamline the email experience within Workspaces, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Next Experience Performance Metrics
Users can now view performance metrics for any Next Experience page. This includes UI loading times and server response times for recently accessed pages, with data available for up to seven days. This feature helps identify and troubleshoot performance issues, providing a proactive approach to monitoring instance performance. You can find out more on our docs site here.
Special Highlight!
Have you checked out the new runtime configuration options available in the user drop down menu? We released this feature in a previous version, but we are slowly adding more to it as time goes by. Take a moment to check it out next time you're looking to maintain a workspace page. It makes configuring specific variants in a workspace much quicker, and as of Washington D.C. can take you directly to the new Form Builder to edit the view you're currently on!
UI Builder
Responsive Authoring
Responsive Authoring is a game-changer for page authors, allowing them to set breakpoints for different browser widths. This ensures that pages display well across all device types, from mobile phones to desktop monitors. The feature is automatically activated with the Xanadu release and applies to all new pages, making UI Builder pages more accessible and visually consistent.
Dark Theme & Other Improvements
The introduction of a Dark Theme enhances usability in low-light environments, reducing eye strain and increasing accessibility. Additionally, guided tours and a rich library of learning resources are now available, helping users develop and refine their UI Builder skills. This update reflects a commitment to creating a more user-friendly and supportive development environment.
Variant Visibility Condition Builder
The Variant Visibility Condition Builder simplifies the process of controlling page visibility. This tool allows users to set screen conditions declaratively, providing a script-free alternative for managing visibility. This feature is accessible when creating new variants or pages, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly approach to customization.
Multi-table Data Resource
With the Multi-table Data Resource, users can now retrieve and combine data from various sources into a single component. This feature simplifies the process of adding multi-source data, enhancing the flexibility and representational power of UI components. It’s particularly useful for creating unified views of diverse data sets, improving the overall user experience.
Form Controller Updates
The latest Form Controller Update introduces support for multiple forms on a single page. This update allows for more dynamic and versatile page designs, accommodating diverse form interactions simultaneously. It’s a significant enhancement for creating complex and interactive page layouts that cater to various user inputs and actions within a single interface.
List Controller Updates
The Record List (Bundle) component came out in Washington D.C., but now has received a few notable enhancements as of Xanadu. Working off of feedback that our customers have provided, we've created a flexible component that now allows for even more configuration than previous list components. The configurations can be found inside the List Controller's properties, which are also now grouped for better navigation and ease of use. At the very bottom you'll find the Advanced section, which allows you to add a customization set script. When you create a new customization set script, you'll be presented with all the documentation you'll need to fully customize the list controller.
And that's it! What's your favorite feature we showcased? The Xanadu release marks a significant step forward for UI Builder and Workspaces, offering new features that enhance usability, flexibility, and performance. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflows, create more responsive pages, or gain deeper insights into your instance’s performance, the Xanadu release has something to offer every ServiceNow developer
