Display Column Control for “Reference List”

[Tepp]

Dear Experts,

Please advise on controlling the display columns for “reference lists.”

I want to change the displayed column items in the reference list for each table.

For example,

I want to differentiate the display columns between the reference list for the “assigned_to” field in the Incident table and the reference list for the “assigned_to” field in the Problem table.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@Tepp 

it comes from this view "sys_ref_list" and 1 table can have only 1 view

so whatever columns you show it will reflect at all places wherever this table is being referred by reference field

💡 If my response helped, please mark it as correct ✅ and close the thread 🔒— this helps future readers find the solution faster! 🙏

[Matthew_13]

Yes — you can control the reference list columns PER FIELD, but NOT directly through a field-level UI or dictionary property.

You use:

1) Reference Qualifiers

2) Custom Reference Views

3) Field-level dictionary override (best option....)

4) UI Policies / Client Scripts to switch reference views dynamically

Step 1 — Create a new View for sys_user

1. Go to System UI → Views
2. Create new:
   • Name: Problem_Assignment_View
   • Table: sys_user

Step 2 — Configure the view (List Layout)

1. Go to sys_user → List Layout
2. Switch to your new view (top-left “View” dropdown)
3. Set the columns:
   • For example:
     • Name, First name, Last name, Email
   • Or remove email if you want it hidden.

Step 3 — Assiggn the view to the reference field

1. Open Dictionary for the specific field:

For Incident:

Dictionary → incident.assigned_to

For Problem:

Dictionary → problem.assigned_to

1. Scroll to the bottom.
2. Check "Use reference qualifier" → leave default.
3. Find field: “Reference view”
4. Set:
   • Incident → Default view
   • Problem → Problem_Assignment_View

Save.

Result:

When you click the reference list icon:

• Incident → sees Normal sys_user columns
• Problem → sees the custom view you created

Exactly like your screenshots.

[Tepp]

Dear Matthew Green2,
Thank you for your response.

I'm not clear on the following steps:
Dictionary → problem.assigned_to
Scroll to the bottom.
Check “Use reference qualifier” → leave default.
Find field: “Reference view”
Set:
Incident → Default view
Problem → Problem_Assignment_View

Where exactly do I find and set the “Reference view” field?
I don't see any settings for it in the capture.

Thank you for your help.

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@Tepp 

did you check my response which was the 1st response to your thread?

💡 If my response helped, please mark it as correct ✅ and close the thread 🔒— this helps future readers find the solution faster! 🙏