Decision tables workflow

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated July 22, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Decision tables workflow

    Decision tables in Workflow Studio enable ServiceNow customers to create and maintain application logic separately from code. This approach supports flows, subflows, playbooks, and scripts on the ServiceNow AI Platform by decoupling decision logic, making it more maintainable and accessible to business subject matter experts (SMEs).

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    When to Use Decision Tables

    • When code contains complex conditional or nested logic (if/else, switch statements).
    • When application logic changes frequently and needs easy updates.
    • When logic must be shared with and managed by non-developers in a readable format.
    • When the same logic applies across multiple flows, subflows, or scripts.
    • When business or application logic must be managed independently from the implementation code.

    Workflow for Creating and Using Decision Tables

    • A developer identifies the need for a decision table while scripting or authoring flows/subflows.
    • The developer creates the decision table in Workflow Studio by defining inputs, outputs, and conditions.
    • Developers or business SMEs add conditional rules (rows) and corresponding results.
    • The decision table is tested and then published for use.
    • Developers can integrate decision tables by inserting code snippets, referencing them in flows or subflows, or using them in playbooks with the "Make a Decision - First Match" activity.

    Maintaining Decision Tables

    When logic changes, developers or SMEs can create a draft, test updates, and publish the new version. Note that if draft authoring is not used, any change made becomes immediately active.

    Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Improves maintainability and efficiency of flows and scripts by separating decision logic.
    • Enables business SMEs to manage and update logic without developer intervention.
    • Facilitates consistent application of logic across multiple workflows and automation components.

    Create and maintain decision tables in Workflow Studio for use in flows, subflows, playbooks, and anywhere on the ServiceNow AI Platform where you write code.

    Decision tables enable you to decouple decision logic from your code. This means that you can create a decision table in Workflow Studio with your application logic and then reference the decision table to execute the logic elsewhere, such as in a flow , playbook, or script. This decoupling enables you to create more efficient and maintainable flows and scripts and allows the decision logic to be managed directly by the relevant business subject matter expert.

    Workflow for creating decision tables

    The following illustration depicts the process for creating decision tables in Workflow Studio.

    Figure 1. Process for creating decision tables
    Infographic depicting the process of creating a decision table in Workflow Studio
    The workflow for creating decision tables in Workflow Studio is as follows:
    1. A developer writing a script or authoring a flow or subflow determines that a decision table is required. Decision tables are a more maintainable solution than hard-coded logic for the following scenarios:
      • The code contains a complex set of conditional, nested if/else or switch statements.
      • The logic powering the code might change frequently.
      • The application logic must be shared with non-developers in a readable format.
      • The application logic must be managed independently from where it is implemented.
      • Non-developers must manage the application logic.
      • The same logic must be applied in more than one flow, subflow, or script.
      • The developer must manage application or business logic separately from the code.
    2. The developer creates the decision table in Workflow Studio and adds inputs and result columns (outputs for the decisions).
    3. A developer or a business subject matter expert (SME) can perform the next steps.
      1. Add condition columns to structure the rules.
      2. Add decision rows to build conditional rules and corresponding results.
      3. Test the decision table.
      4. Publish the decision table.
    4. The developer can use the decision table in a few ways.
      • They can create a code snippet of the decision table and insert it into their code.
      • They can add Make a decision logic in their flow or subflow and reference the decision table.
      • They can add a decision table to a playbook using the Make a Decision - First Match activity.
    5. If the decision table must be updated to reflect updated logic, the developer or business SME can create a draft of the table. They can test the table using the updated logic and then publish the updated version. To create a decision table, see Create decision tables in Workflow Studio.
      Note:
      For any decision table that doesn't use draft authoring, any change the developer or business SME makes is automatically active.