question Re: Client script to get reference value in Developer forum

Client script to get reference value

athavichith — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:33:27 GMT

I created custom app off the Task table. For short description, I want to set the field to the value of 'Service', 'Category', and 'Subcategory'. I have created client script to capture that, but it is getting the sys_id of the reference field. Here is my script:

function onChange(control, oldValue, newValue, isLoading, isTemplate) {

if (isLoading || newValue === '') {

return;

}

//Type appropriate comment here, and begin script below

var service = g_form.getValue('service');

var category = g_form.getValue('category');

var subcategory = g_form.getValue('subcategory');

if (service || category || subcategory) {

var shortDescription = '';

if (service) {

shortDescription += 'Service: ' + service;

}

if (category) {

shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Category: ' + category;

}

if (subcategory) {

shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Subcategory: ' + subcategory;

}

g_form.setValue('short_description', shortDescription);

}

Re: Client script to get reference value

Sangeetha_Jegan — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:46:25 GMT

Hi @athavichith

If the field is a reference field, then using g_form.getValue(fieldName) returns the sys_id of the corresponding reference record. If you want to get the actual value displayed, then use g_form.getDisplayValue(fieldName).

So, if your problem is to get the actual displayed value of that particular field instead of getting their sys_id, then replace occurences of g_form.getValue(..) with g_form.getDisplayValue(..).

If you find my post resolving your issue or if you find my post in any way useful, please mark it as helpful.

Thanks,

Sangeetha

Re: Client script to get reference value

Shivalika — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:02:05 GMT

Hello @athavichith

I don't think there is any g_form.getDisplayValue() method that would work on normal records, it only works on "service portal". It doesn't works for normal records.

You may need to use GetReference method of g_form.

Additionally, you need to use g_form.getOption(fieldName, value).text method to get the display value of choice fields. Otherwise it will give you backend values. (If both the backend and frontend values are same that's fine)

Here's the modified script -

function onChange(control, oldValue, newValue, isLoading, isTemplate) {

if (isLoading || newValue === '') {

return;

}

var service = g_form.getValue('service'); // Reference field

var category = g_form.getValue('category'); // Choice field

var subcategory = g_form.getValue('subcategory'); // Choice field

// Get display values for choice fields

var categoryDisplay = category ? g_form.getOption('category', category).text : '';

var subcategoryDisplay = subcategory ? g_form.getOption('subcategory', subcategory).text : '';

function setShortDescription(serviceName) {

var shortDescription = '';

if (serviceName) {

shortDescription += 'Service: ' + serviceName;

}

if (categoryDisplay) {

shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Category: ' + categoryDisplay;

}

if (subcategoryDisplay) {

shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Subcategory: ' + subcategoryDisplay;

}

g_form.setValue('short_description', shortDescription);

}

if (service) {

g_form.getReference('service', function(ref) {

setShortDescription(ref ? ref.name : service);

});

} else {

setShortDescription('');

}

Please let me know if you face any issues.

Kindly mark my answer as helpful and accept solution if it helped you in anyway. This will help me be recognized for the efforts and also move this questions from unsolved to solved bucket.

Regards,

Shivalika

My LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivalika-gupta-540346194

My youtube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsHuNzTdkE5Cn4PyS7HdV0Vg8JsfdgQlA&si=0WynLcOwNeEISQCY

Re: Client script to get reference value

athavichith — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:10:14 GMT

I cannot make the category, subcategory into Choice field...cause I have 300+ options.

Re: Client script to get reference value

Shivalika — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:18:17 GMT

Hello @athavichith

I was assuming both of them to be choice field hence I gave that code. This is how we have it in OOB.

Let me give you a refreshed code, since now I have the clarity that all three are reference fields.

Below is the updated code -

function onChange(control, oldValue, newValue, isLoading, isTemplate) {

if (isLoading || newValue === '') {

return;

}

var service = g_form.getValue('service');

var category = g_form.getValue('category');

var subcategory = g_form.getValue('subcategory');

var shortDescription = [];

function fetchDisplayValue(field, callback) {

if (field) {

g_form.getReference(field, function(record) {

if (record && record.name) {

callback(record.name);

} else {

callback('');

}

});

} else {

callback('');

}

fetchDisplayValue('service', function(serviceName) {

if (serviceName) shortDescription.push('Service: ' + serviceName);

fetchDisplayValue('category', function(categoryName) {

if (categoryName) shortDescription.push('Category: ' + categoryName);

fetchDisplayValue('subcategory', function(subcategoryName) {

if (subcategoryName) shortDescription.push('Subcategory: ' + subcategoryName);

g_form.setValue('short_description', shortDescription.join(' / '));

});

}

Re: Client script to get reference value

Chaitanya ILCR — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:18:58 GMT

Hi @athavichith ,

better convert this to a before update BR as you would have to create 3 onchange client script each one for service,category and subcategory for this to work

(function executeRule(current, previous /*null when async*/ ) { // Add your code here var service = current.service.getDisplayValue(); var category = current.category.getDisplayValue(); var subcategory = current.subcategory.getDisplayValue(); if (service || category || subcategory) { var shortDescription = ''; if (service) { shortDescription += 'Service: ' + service; } if (category) { shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Category: ' + category; } if (subcategory) { shortDescription += (shortDescription ? ' / ' : '') + 'Subcategory: ' + subcategory; } current.setValue('short_description', shortDescription); } })(current, previous);

if you want this in client side

create a client callable client script include with client scripts

Please mark my answer as helpful/correct if it resolves your query.

Regards,
Chaitanya

Re: Client script to get reference value

Shivalika — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:24:01 GMT

Yes, I was thinking of the same. But may be he can make use of OnLoad client script, script remains the same. Just that it won't show the update immediately.

however yes before update BR would also work, but it is incidents and it will trigger tooo many times and may not be best for performance impact reasons.

Regards,

Shivalika

My LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivalika-gupta-540346194

My youtube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsHuNzTdkE5Cn4PyS7HdV0Vg8JsfdgQlA&si=0WynLcOwNeEISQCY

Re: Client script to get reference value

Sangeetha_Jegan — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:33:31 GMT

Alternative to getting display value instead of sys_id for a reference field in core UI could be to use getDisplayBox() function like so.

var category = g_form.getDispayBox('category').value

But as @Chaitanya ILCR mentioned, the better approach is to go with Before Business Rule if you want the change in Short Description to reflect on all 3 field's change of value.

Regards,

Sangeetha

Re: Client script to get reference value

vermaamit16 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:47:35 GMT

Hi @athavichith

You can make use of g_form.getDisplayBox('your_field_name').value method to get reference field value. Refer below example where I tried getting the value of the Caller field and pushing it to the Description Field.

function onChange(control, oldValue, newValue, isLoading, isTemplate) { if (isLoading || newValue === '') { return; } //Type appropriate comment here, and begin script below var caller = g_form.getDisplayBox('caller_id').value; g_form.setValue('description', caller); }

Thanks and Regards

Amit Verma