Dictionary Override concept

[shivasaiman]

I have a table that extends another table.
If I create a new field on the child table, I can mark it as mandatory in the dictionary and it works as expected.

But if the field already exists on the parent table, I understand that I cannot modify the parent dictionary directly. In that case, does ServiceNow automatically create a Dictionary Override when I set the field as mandatory on the child table?

Is Dictionary Override the only correct way to change dictionary-level properties for inherited fields?

[Aditya_hublikar]

Hello @shivasaiman ,

When a field is inherited from a parent table, ServiceNow does not allow direct modification of the parent dictionary record from the child table. To change dictionary-level properties such as mandatory, read-only, or default value for only the child table, a Dictionary Override must be used. ServiceNow may create or utilize an override when you configure these properties on the child table, but the parent dictionary remains unchanged. Dictionary Override is the correct and recommended approach for modifying inherited field behavior at the schema level without impacting other tables that extend the same parent.

Dictionary Overrides are the recommended best practice in ServiceNow when you want to apply changes at the child table level without impacting other tables that inherit the same parent field. They provide a controlled way to customize inherited fields while maintaining platform consistency and avoiding unintended global changes.

If this helps you then mark it as helpful and accept a solutions.

Regards,

Aditya,

Technical Consultant

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@Aditya_hublikar 

Can you confirm this in your PDI whether the dictionary override record may be auto created?

If yes please share screenshots for the same

[Aditya_hublikar]

Hell0 @Ankur Bawiskar ,

I dont mean that , i was trying to tell when we create dictionary override then it  tells ServiceNow to utilize the override properties instead of the parent dictionary for that child table . We have to create dictionary override explicitely.

[Aditya_hublikar]

Hello @Ankur Bawiskar ,

I sincerely apologize ,while posting my earlier solution, I got interrupted and some of the wording came out incorrectly. What I meant to convey was that ServiceNow does not auto-create Dictionary Overrides.