Grid-style fields and field collections
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Summary of Grid-style fields and field collections
In ServiceNow CPQ, grid-style fields and field collections offer various ways to present and manage data in tabular formats. Though they may appear similar to end users, their behaviors and administrative uses differ significantly. Understanding each type helps you choose the best option for your data presentation and rule application needs.
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Types of Grid-style Fields and Their Uses
- Picklist Extension: Displays extended option details, supports single or multi-select, can include images, and integrates with dynamic pricing (Picklist Extension Pricing enrichment). It populates visible options using exclusion rules and option filters, and sends selections directly to the bill of materials (BOM). Only the selection field is editable within the grid.
- Field Grid: A matrix of independent fields arranged in rows and columns, suitable for static sets of related or codependent fields. Each field is individually defined and can be manipulated by rules independently. It is ideal when fields need to be referenced outside their row or column.
- Indexed Set: Represents a dynamic, repeating set of identical fields useful for components that vary per item or for aggregating costs and quantities. Requires fewer fields to set up (fields per row, not per cell). Each field influences only its row, with columns aggregatable for external reference. Supports display across tiers and is low maintenance.
- Associated Picklist Set: Dynamic repeating fields based on picklist options, useful for aggregating costs, limiting component options, or expanding picklist fields beyond what a picklist extension offers. Setup mirrors the indexed set with cloning fields per row and column aggregation. Supports tiered display.
- Product Picker: A product-oriented table similar to an associated picklist set but includes built-in product rules. It collects detailed end-user input before adding options to the BOM. Each cell is editable, and fields like Value, Select, and Quantity are auto-added and linked to BOM updates. Field behaviors are controlled via product picker bulk actions and can influence external fields through rules.
Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers
- Enables tailored data presentation and interaction models suited to different product configuration and pricing scenarios.
- Supports dynamic and static configurations, allowing efficient management of complex product options and rules.
- Facilitates precise control over user selections and data aggregation, improving accuracy in BOM generation and pricing calculations.
- Offers scalable options to manage varying levels of complexity, from simple repeated fields to rich product configurations with detailed user inputs.
Next Steps
To implement and configure these grid-style fields effectively, refer to the respective detailed documentation on setup and rule integration, including:
- Picklist extensions and pricing enrichment setup
- Field grid configuration using the Matrix Loader
- Creating and managing indexed and associated picklist sets
- Using product pickers and their bulk action controls
Understanding these components empowers you to optimize product configuration and pricing workflows within your ServiceNow CPQ environment.
Learn about the various types of grid-style fields: the picklist extension, the field grid, the indexed set, the associated picklist set, and the product picker. Learn how best to choose a field type for your data.
In ServiceNow CPQ, although many grid-style fields and field collections look similar to an end user, they have different behaviors and uses for admins. This article explains the basic capabilities of each and their intended use cases. It also provides the necessary resources for those who want to explore each option’s setup at a deeper level.
Picklist extension
A picklist extension is a field type that displays extended information. It may be used to show more option details or to show dynamic pricing options with the Picklist Extension Pricing enrichment. A picklist extension can include images and supports multi-select and single-select actions. It can send product information directly to the bill of materials (BOM).
A picklist extension uses exclusion rules and option filters to populate what end users see. Only one field is editable out of the grid (the selection).
For an overview of the picklist extension feature, see Picklist extensions.
For a deeper understanding of the back end and how to display picklist extensions, see Displaying a picklist extension on a layout.
For an overview of the Picklist Extension Pricing enrichment feature, see The Picklist Extension Pricing enrichment.
For information about using picklist extensions in rules, see Picklists and picklist extensions in rules.
Field grid
A field grid is a grid of independent fields in a format of rows and columns. It may be used to display similar and codependent fields in an easy-to-format pattern, when the number of fields to display is static, or when each field needs to be referenced outside of its own row and column.
Each field can be referenced and manipulated by any rule and must be independently defined. For example, a 3 x 3 row requires 9 fields.
For information about how to set up a field grid using the Matrix Loader, see Layouts: Field grid setup.
Indexed set
An indexed set is a dynamic set of repeating identical fields. It can be used to display options for a component that can be changed per component, or to aggregate costs and quantities for simple product rules. It tends to require little setup and maintenance.
Each field can be cloned and edited separately depending on an outside number field. You only need to create the fields in each row, not one field per cell.
Each set field can only affect the fields in its row.
Each column can be aggregated into a field that can be referenced outside the set. It can be configured to display across tiers.
For more information about sets, set aggregates (collections of sets) and about how to use sets in layouts, see:
Associated Picklist set
An Associated Picklist set is a dynamic set of repeating fields based on the options of a picklist. It may be used to aggregate costs and work hours for distinct services, to limit the options of a configurable component, or to expand and use more field options for a picklist than a picklist extension.
Each field can be cloned and edited separately depending on an outside picklistʼs selections. You only need to create the fields in each row, not one field per cell.
Each set field can only affect the fields in its row.
Each column can be aggregated into a field that can be referenced outside the set. It can be configured to display across tiers.
For more information, see Creating an associated picklist set.
Product Picker
The product picker field type is a product-based table of distinct options and qualities similar to the Associated Picklist set, but with built-in product rules. It may be used when product options need further information from the end user before being added to the BOM.
Each option is defined like a picklist, but every cell contains an editable field. You only need to define the options and fields, as shown in the row and column headers.
Value, Select, and Quantity are automatically added, and will automatically send end-user selections to the BOM. Field behavior in a product picker is determined by product picker bulk actions.
This field can affect fields outside the product picker by means of rules.
For more information, see: