Display values on a reference field

[mcroxall]

I created a field on my RITM called Head Department. I would like for my end user to be able to reference the cmn_department table and see all department, however when they select one of them, it should display the actual Head of department no the department. How do i configure that without having to change the display option in the cmn_department dictionary? 

[Community Alums]

@mcroxall There might be other way but what I have understood I will go with below option:

This client script will dynamically update the display value of the reference field based on the selected department’s Head of Department:

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

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

        return;

    }

    // GlideAjax call to get the Head of Department name

    var ga = new GlideAjax('DepartmentUtils');

    ga.addParam('sysparm_name', 'getDepartmentHead');

    ga.addParam('sysparm_department_id', newValue);

    ga.getXMLAnswer(function(response) {

        var headOfDepartment = response;

        if (headOfDepartment) {

            g_form.setDisplayValue('u_head_department', headOfDepartment);

        }

    });

})();

The client script makes a GlideAjax call to fetch the Head of Department. You need a Script Include that handles this request.

var DepartmentUtils = Class.create();

DepartmentUtils.prototype = {

    initialize: function () {},

    getDepartmentHead: function () {

        var departmentId = this.getParameter('sysparm_department_id');

        var dept = new GlideRecord('cmn_department');

        if (dept.get(departmentId)) {

            var headOfDepartment = dept.department_head.name;

            return headOfDepartment ? headOfDepartment : 'No Head Assigned';

        }

        return 'Department Not Found';

    },

    type: 'DepartmentUtils'

};

Please feel free to modify code if works for you.

[mcroxall]

i cant get to work... still displaying the department name, not the actual user... 
i am not sure i am doing this right