--- sourceDocument: Zurich ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/servicenow-platform Release : - zurich ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Zurich ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities ft:clusterId : - platcap bundleId : - platcap workflow : - Platform --- # Container start, container split, and container end # Container start, container split, and container end {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Zurich * * Updated July 31, 2025 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read The container start, container split, and container end variables define a layout for a container that can hold more variables. Use the container start and container end variables to define the start and end points of a container layout. The container end must be used along with the container start to close a container. A container layout can be split into two or three columns using the container split variable. By default, the split is calculated at the 50% mark. A container is similar to a [variable set](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hcl1T1po2k2NJThAxlmjOg "Administrators and catalog administrators often define multiple catalog items that use the same group of service catalog variables. Catalog managers and catalog editors can attach a variable set for items to which they are assigned. However, catalog managers and catalog editors cannot create a variable set."). Unlike a variable set, containers can be used anywhere, including inside a variable set. Containers can also be nested inside each other. For more help with selecting the appropriate container type, see the [Determining if you are using the correct container variable \[KB0539982\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0539982) article in the HI Knowledge Base. Note: * The container variables are not yet supported on mobile devices. * Container start, container split, and container end variables are supported in Service Portal. However, if the settings are done on the top-level container, a maximum of two-column layouts can be achieved. * Variable sets are also considered as containers. So, a container start variable with a two-column layout under a variable set is not supported in Service Portal. {#contain-start-split-end__ul_tlh_rsy_dz} To reproduce the container shown in the following figure, enter the following settings when creating a container start variable: * Select a Layout with 2 Columns Wide, alternating sides. * Select the Display title check box to use a collapsible title bar. {#contain-start-split-end__ul_tzg_xjw_dq} Figure 1. Example: container variable **Related concepts** * [Attachment](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/CU~adClWrWM3DB4VJBgLTg "When submitting a catalog item request, this variable lets you upload an attachment for a question of the item.") * [Break](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/z_mc6sFtS1fbmM_9l294IA "The break variable displays a horizontal line across the form.") * [Check box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/i7BP7PK~0zAhGn~J3kyKIg "The check box variable lets you enable and disable options by selecting and clearing it.") * [Date, Date and time, and Duration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~dN9sI9x~57AZgG6p2lwtg "The date variable creates a widget with a field and calendar to select a date.") * [Email](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TGbC53tMTUkNkT9613wXgg "The email variable creates a widget to enter and select an email address.") * [HTML](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/IZ5iaNuqpaIZJJGJuTmYlw "The HTML variable lets you provide content with advanced formatting, including images, for a catalog item.") * [IP Address](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PdOLE9lNPq92aNcVWZ9zsg "Use the IP address variable to specify the IPv4 and IPv6 data for a catalog item.") * [Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8nUpD8t7~n~Z138Aex_L2g "The label variable displays a label across the form. Labels are formatting elements. No data is collected.") * [List collector](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hAKvlmErYXiCUnFejZZf7Q "The list collector variable creates an interface that lets you select and add multiple records from a table.") * [Lookup multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/vRWTsiaymLKVEfWHXh9Fuw "The lookup multiple choice variable creates radio buttons using data from a table. Its functionality is similar to the lookup select box variable, which creates a choice list from queried data.") * [Lookup select box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TJ5_ufycvdj3uEg0LM2I3Q "The lookup select box variable creates a choice list using data queried from a table. Its functionality is similar to the lookup multiple choice variable, which creates radio buttons from queried data.") * [Custom and Custom with label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1VucLBjGiLBcoV0okUPCEQ "The custom variable inserts a UI macro into the catalog item. Custom with label variable inserts a UI macro with a label.") * [Masked](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cEi_xUDPt_Iw9n1GoUIOvA "The masked variable inserts a field that masks the text entered.") * [Multi-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QSxLSdQ_rYB50GNtHUno0w "The multi-line text variable creates a field that lets you enter multiple lines of text.") * [Multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yhbH28c19~_fyYzt2EIzIQ "The multiple choice variable creates radio buttons for question choices.") * [Numeric scale](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/U7Y7o21L2YnKDqrK4uY0cA "The numeric scale variable creates a set of radio buttons for a range of options, like a Likert scale.") * [Reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XezWqno3gFmIN8zohmgbGg "A reference variable references a record in another table. For example, a variable named point_of_contact references the User [sys_user] table.") * [Requested for](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hYRhmg4VUpACM7IO49_Rxw "Before submitting a catalog item request, this variable helps you specify who this request can be submitted for.") * [Rich Text Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LRITASQW2ATHFdiO1LSHhg "This variable displays a formatted label on a catalog item form.") * [Select box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Hc158~iOQEbczY0ioy~YGw "The select box variable creates a list from predefined question choices.") * [Single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ZI_s~dgubmZbIO2YoI5Juw "The single-line text variable creates a field to enter a single line of text.") * [UI page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TdHM~_2RAq~XsZgnR_UrZA "The UI page variable inserts a UI page into the catalog item.") * [URL](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BEq4Swf8Cx44GjxZNFiVrQ "The URL variable creates a widget for users to enter URLs.") * [Wide single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UXQsYlrc4z2807tVINrV6A "The wide single-line text variable creates a field that spans the form, letting users enter longer lines of text.") * [Yes/No](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/MRWTlNYgbLzM6rEGBNfdGw "The Yes or No variable creates a choice list with Yes and No as options.") **Related reference** * [Variable support in various channels](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/froevfs38n9bVDVKxWFH7Q "Service Catalog variables are supported in various channels.")