https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/ba-p/3222300 <P><STRONG>Understanding Decision Tables in ServiceNow</STRONG></P><P>A <STRONG>decision table</STRONG> in ServiceNow is a configuration option that can be used to evaluate multiple conditions and return a result based on predefined logic. It simplifies complex decision-making by organizing rules in a tabular format, where each row represents a unique set of conditions and their corresponding output.</P><P>The following data types are supported for both input and output:</P><UL><LI>Choice</LI><LI>Currency</LI><LI>Date</LI><LI>Date / Time</LI><LI>Decimal</LI><LI>Integer</LI><LI>Long</LI><LI>Reference</LI><LI>String</LI><LI>True / False</LI></UL><P>In addition, Duration is supported as an output data type.</P><H3><STRONG>How Decision Tables Are Used in ServiceNow</STRONG></H3><P>Decision tables can be called from scripts and flows to streamline decision-making. By eliminating the need for extensive scripting, they allow administrators to implement logic that evaluates conditions across multiple fields. When the table is triggered, the system evaluates the conditions row by row and returns the matching output.</P><H3><STRONG>Example Use Case</STRONG></H3><P>Consider an approval process in an organization where decisions are made based on the dollar amount of a purchase request:</P><UL><LI>If the amount is less than $1,000, the approval is routed to <STRONG>Approver X</STRONG>.</LI><LI>If the amount is between $1,000 and $10,000, the approval is routed to <STRONG>Approver Y</STRONG>.</LI><LI>If the amount exceeds $10,000, the approval is routed to <STRONG>Approver Z</STRONG>.</LI></UL><P>This decision table ensures the appropriate level of oversight while maintaining an efficient and automated approval process.</P><P>The following shows how this logic is configured in a ServiceNow decision table.</P><P><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-inline" image-alt="madelapostolde_0-1743335608343.png" style="width: 400px;"><img src="https://www.servicenow.com/community/image/serverpage/image-id/430962i36AB7627027A3DD6/image-size/medium?v=v2&amp;px=400" role="button" title="madelapostolde_0-1743335608343.png" alt="madelapostolde_0-1743335608343.png" /></span></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>To call a decision table from a flow, click on <STRONG>Flow Logic &gt; Make a decision</STRONG>. Fill in the inputs:</P><P><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-inline" image-alt="madelapostolde_1-1743335608345.png" style="width: 400px;"><img src="https://www.servicenow.com/community/image/serverpage/image-id/430964i3FF713A9558F7A3B/image-size/medium?v=v2&amp;px=400" role="button" title="madelapostolde_1-1743335608345.png" alt="madelapostolde_1-1743335608345.png" /></span></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>The output of the decision table can then be used in succeeding actions such as <STRONG>Ask for Approval</STRONG>.</P><P><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-inline" image-alt="madelapostolde_2-1743335608349.png" style="width: 400px;"><img src="https://www.servicenow.com/community/image/serverpage/image-id/430963i985052AD3F2AEFE0/image-size/medium?v=v2&amp;px=400" role="button" title="madelapostolde_2-1743335608349.png" alt="madelapostolde_2-1743335608349.png" /></span></P><P>&nbsp;</P><H3><STRONG>Limitations of Decision Tables</STRONG></H3><P>Despite their usefulness, decision tables can become cumbersome when managing a large number of conditions. Input columns are only evaluated as “AND” conditions. You will need to create rows to evaluate “OR” conditions.</P><P>They also lack advanced scripting capabilities, making them unsuitable for highly dynamic or complex scenarios. Additionally, performance issues may arise if the evaluation logic involves excessive rows or intricate conditions.</P><P><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></P><P><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Sun, 30 Mar 2025 11:55:25 GMT madelapostol-de 2025-03-30T11:55:25Z https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/ba-p/3222300 <P>Tired of writing complex scripts to handle business logic in ServiceNow? Decision tables provide a structured, no-code approach to evaluating multiple conditions and determining outcomes with ease. Whether you're streamlining approval workflows or automating decision-making, this powerful feature simplifies logic into an easy-to-manage format.</P><P>In this blog, we'll explore how decision tables work, their supported data types, practical use cases, and key limitations to keep in mind. Ready to make your ServiceNow processes more efficient? Let’s dive in!</P> Sun, 30 Mar 2025 11:55:25 GMT https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/ba-p/3222300 madelapostol-de 2025-03-30T11:55:25Z https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3241143#M2971 <P>I can attest to the performance issues with too many condition rows. I had a decision table built pre-Decision Builder. There were only about 40 decision questions, but the 'Conditions' within them were (in some cases) quite a complex set of condition sets tied together with 'OR'. When DB came out, I tried to use it for this decision, but that required me to greatly simplify the conditions which led to many more decision questions (displayed in DB as 'Conditions'). The new decision table was WAY worse performance-wise than the original. I continue to use the original decision table, but managing the questions is difficult because DB does not handle them (too complex).</P> Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:11:19 GMT https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3241143#M2971 jamiestroud 2025-04-17T19:11:19Z https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3418002#M3125 <P><SPAN>Could not save decision table. Exceeded maximum number of decisions allowed when draft authoring is enabled. To add more rows, first disable draft authoring in decision table properties.</SPAN></P> Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:07:35 GMT https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3418002#M3125 bhujangi gawal2 2025-11-03T08:07:35Z https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3504484#M3232 <P>I have field data type of List. How can i add this field to decision table as input. Is there any workround</P> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:10:59 GMT https://www.servicenow.com/community/servicenow-ai-platform-blog/making-smarter-decisions-in-servicenow-a-guide-to-decision/bc-p/3504484#M3232 RK37 2026-03-09T19:10:59Z