---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Display a reference field as a choice list

# Display a reference field as a choice list {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

You can display a reference field as a choice list instead of opening a lookup
window.

## Before you begin

Role required: personalize_dictionary

## About this task

Note:  
A choice reference field with a defined reference key won't function.

## Procedure

1. In the form, right-click the label for the reference field and select Configure Dictionary.
2. In the Choice List Specification section, select one of the following options in the Choice field.
   * Dropdown with --None--
   * Dropdown without --None--
   {#t_DisplayTheRefFieldAsAChoiceList__choices_cvr_w1y_rt}
3. Right-click the form header and click Save.
4. Under Related Links, click Advanced view.
5. In the Attributes field, add the following attribute, separated from other attributes by a comma.  

       ref_auto_completer=AJAXReferenceChoice

6. Click Update.  
   The form reopens, with the reference field as a choice list.  
   Note:  
   The glide.ui.max_ref_dropdown system property determines whether
   a reference field is displayed as a choice list or a reference icon. When the number
   of available choices exceeds the value of this property, a reference icon displays
   instead of a choice list. The default value of this property is 25. This property
   affects the entire instance, however you can override this property on an individual
   field by using the max_ref_dropdown dictionary attribute.
   Modifying dictionary attributes requires the personalize_dictionary role.

   The glide.xmlhttp.max_choices system property determines how
   many choices display on a choice list. This property has a value of 15 by default,
   however, when the property is not present on the instance, the instance uses a hard
   coded value of 10.
{#t_DisplayTheRefFieldAsAChoiceList__steps_cgc_l1y_rt}
**Related concepts**   

* [System dictionary](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/4a2v7eTS8qFMt~3PiE0b7w "View a list of all tables in columns in your instance from the system dictionary.")