Updating existing CMDB CI's via import sets?

[martine11]

Hello, I'm fairly new to Service Now and I have not had any formal training as of yet. I am focusing on major clean up efforts I have run into problems trying to update configuration items in the system using the load data/import function. First off, can existing CI's data be manipulated or updated using load data/import sets? If yes then how can we perform the updates without creating new CI's? For example, I want to just update the location field from abc to xyc along with the status an assigned user = 3 attributes within the existing CI table. Please help - manually updating is not fun. We have not turn on AM as of yet as this is another project that is not yet slated to be scoped.

[tltoulson · Accepted solution]

Hi Eri,

Yes, you can use import sets to overwrite data in existing CI's by marking one of the field map entries as the coalesce field: Using the Coalesce Field - ServiceNow Wiki.   If your import data source has a field that uniquely identifies the CI, simply mark it as the coalesce and ServiceNow will ensure matching CI's are updated instead of inserted.

Here are a couple wiki articles that may help:

Import Sets - ServiceNow Wiki

Creating New Transform Maps - ServiceNow Wiki

Transform Map Scripts - ServiceNow Wiki

Kind regards,

Travis

[martine11]

Thank you Travis! I will try this once another mass update opportunity arrives!

[akillius]

Travis - hoping you can help me out with my issue.   I just changed the python script in UCMDB to use importsets.   The good news is that I was able to create new CIs in ServiceNow.   The bad news is any time I attempt to update the same CI, i get the generic 'Error connecting to ServiceNow' issue for the table.   The jar files have been rebuilt several times but still get the same error.   I have turned on full debugging on the UCMDB server and probe server and I cannot find why it does not allow me to update.   Do you have any suggestions or hints as to why this may be happening?

[tltoulson]

Hi Andrew,

I would be glad to help out, I just need a little more information on your configuration.   So are you using the Import Sets via SOAP Web Service?   If so, are you changing the SOAP function to Update or are you continuing to use the Insert function?   If I'm off base, can you provide some info on what the python script is calling and how?