---
sourceDocument: Zurich Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/build-workflows

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Create decision tables in Workflow Studio

# Create decision tables in Workflow Studio {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 minutes to read

Create decision tables in Workflow Studio to embed business logic into a series of if-then decision rules. Use decision tables when business logic is complex or may be reused in multiple places.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin, decision_table_admin, or delegated developer permissions. For more information, see [Delegate developers using App Engine Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=aes-app-dev-workflow&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-application-development&ft:locale=en-US).

## About this task

You can create decision tables for use in flows, subflows, playbooks, and scripts. Create your decision table and then reference it from one of those objects, or anywhere else on the platform that you write code. As of the Xanadu release, you can also create the structure of a decision table directly in a flow or playbook, and populate the table afterwards.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllProcess AutomationWorkflow Studio.
2. Select New.
3. Select Decision table.
4. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_jg4_vzd_qqb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Decision table name | Name for the decision table. |
   | Description | Description of the decision table. |
   | Application | Application scope for the decision table. |
   | Accessible from | Scopes that can use the decision table. Available values are Application scope onlyor All application scopes. |
   | Enable draft authoring | Option to author decision tables in draft mode before publishing to make them available for use. This function also enables you to change a decision table in draft mode after it has been published and republish with changes. |
   [Table 1. Properties form]

   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_jg4_vzd_qqb}
5. Select Build decision table.
6. Select Add an input.  
   Note:  
   Note that adding more then 30 inputs to your table can adversely affect the performance of the application while you create the table.
7. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_bm2_jzd_qqb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Label | Header for the input. |
   | Type | Type of data used for the input. When the input type is Reference, a new column titled Reference appears in the input section and displays the reference table. This input type enables you to add multiple condition columns to a decision table. The available input types are: * Choice * Currency * Date * Date/Time * Decimal * Due Date * Integer * Long * Reference * String * String (Full UTF-8) * True/False {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__ul_gvz_kt3_tqb} |
   | Mandatory | Option for making an input field required when using the table. |
   | Add reference filter | Option to filter the list of reference records in a linked condition column where the input type is Reference and the Data to evaluate is Reference record. Use this field to build a filter condition statement. For more information, see [Filter reference inputs and results in a decision table](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/icISnvidIfOajmwaB7dXIg#filter-reference-inputs-results "Narrow down the list of results to only information that you need to see for Reference type input and result fields in decision tables in Workflow Studio."). |
   [Table 2. Input definition]

   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_bm2_jzd_qqb}  
   Note:  
   For the Choice input type, the ability to select an existing choice list depends on the choice list living on a table in the same application scope as the decision table. For example, if you create a decision table in the Global scope, you can use any existing choice list on tables in the Global scope. But, if you create a decision table in a custom scope, you can only use existing choice lists from tables in the same custom scope.
8. Select Add condition column.
9. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_dzj_sc2_qqb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Condition column label | Label for the condition column. |
   | Description | Brief overview of the condition column. |
   | Input | Input linked to the condition column. To evaluate multiple fields, you can add multiple conditions with the Reference input type. |
   | Table | If the data type is Reference, the name of the reference table is displayed. |
   | Data to evaluate | For condition columns with the input type of Reference, specifies whether the condition column evaluates the reference record or a field on the reference table. |
   | Condition type | Data type selected for the condition column. |
   | Default operator | How every row in the condition column evaluates a user-specified value. A default operator is required for all input data types except for True or False. For more information about operators, see [Operators available for filters and queries](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=r_OpAvailableFiltersQueries&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US). |
   [Table 3. New condition column form]

   {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_dzj_sc2_qqb}
10. Select Done.
11. **Optional:** Add more condition columns.
    1. Navigate to the last condition column, select the plus icon (+), and select Add condition column.
    2. Point to a condition column and select the plus icon (+).
    3. Select the Add condition column button to the right of an input.
12. Select Add result column.
13. On the form, fill in the fields.  
    {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_ppp_pzm_vsb__entry__2}

    | Field | Description |
    |-|-|
    | Result column label | Label for the result column. |
    | Description | Brief overview of the result column. |
    | Result type | Type of data used for the result column. The available result types are: * Choice * Currency * Date * Date/Time * Decimal * Due Date * Duration * Integer * Long * Reference * String * String (Full UTF-8) * True/False {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__ul_zfn_c1n_vsb11} |
    | Add reference filter | Option to filter the list of reference records in the result column when the result type is Reference. Use this field to build a filter condition statement. For more information, see [Filter reference inputs and results in a decision table](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/icISnvidIfOajmwaB7dXIg#filter-reference-inputs-results "Narrow down the list of results to only information that you need to see for Reference type input and result fields in decision tables in Workflow Studio."). |
    [Table 4. New result column form]

    {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__table_ppp_pzm_vsb}  
    Note:  
    The Currency and True/False result types have several important exceptions.
    * If no alternate result is specified (0.00 for currency, false for true/false), cells in currency and true/false type result columns return a default value.
    * For instances using multi-currency mode, you can specify currency results using any available instance currency. However, result values are always converted to the session currency on saving.
    * For instances using single-currency mode, you can only specify currency results using the single instance currency.
    {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__ul_gv3_fyq_fwb}
14. Select Done.
15. **Optional:** Enable multiple results in a decision table by adding more result columns using one of the following methods.
    * Navigate to the first result column, select the plus icon (+), and select Add result column.
    * Navigate to the last result column and select the plus icon (+).
    * Point to a result column and select the plus icon (+).
    {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__choices_cyw_5y2_xsb}
16. For each condition, click into the empty box in the condition column to select an operator and enter a value.  

    For more information about operators, see [Operators available for filters and queries](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=r_OpAvailableFiltersQueries&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US).
17. **Optional:** To modify a decision table condition in Decision rule view, select the Decision rule row menu options icon (![Decision rule row menu options.]()) to the left of the row number, and then select Open in Decision rule view.  
    Decision rule view supports complex conditions that may not fit into the table structure.
    Figure 1. Decision rule view  
    Note:  
    Using Decision rule view can result in creating complex conditions. Tables with advanced rows can be edited in Excel but advanced rows are read-only. For more information, see [Manage decision tables in Excel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BJgNTE1PHMUPEfSEJS1RCA "If you have large decision tables to build or want to enhance decision tables outside of the ServiceNow AI Platform, manage them in Excel. Export a decision table to an Excel file, edit the downloaded file to add and edit rows, and then import the file back into Workflow Studio."). Where possible, split complex decisions into multiple simplified decision rule rows.
    1. **Optional:** Edit the condition as needed.
    2. **Optional:** Select Done to commit your changes.
    {#create-decision-table-in-decision-designer__substeps_mhk_yfv_15b}
18. For each result, click into the empty box in the result column and enter a result value.  
19. **Optional:** Add more decision rules by selecting Add new decision row and entering conditions and desired results.
20. Select Save.
21. Select Publish.  
    A modal appears asking if you're sure you want to publish. If you want to make edits to this table after it's published, you must create a draft of the table. For more information about editing a published decision table, see [Edit decision tables using draft authoring](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XKAOaoWzeeK8NRfbjUfRBA "Edit published decision tables in Workflow Studio when draft authoring is enabled. Without draft authoring enabled, decision tables are active and available to use as soon as they're created.").
22. Select Publish.

*[\>]: and then