Step execution scripts

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Step Execution Scripts

    Step execution scripts are crucial for defining the behavior of a step during its execution in a step configuration record. They utilize input and output variables, enabling scripts to interact effectively with the step's environment.

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    Key Features

    • Step Inputs: Access input variables through the inputs parameter in the executeScript() function, allowing references to defined inputs.
    • Step Outputs: Output variables are accessible via the outputs parameter, enabling scripts to set results that can be utilized by subsequent steps.
    • Step Result Management: The stepResult parameter provides methods to control the outcome of the step, including setSuccess() and setFailed(), along with the ability to log messages using setOutputMessage().

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing step execution scripts, ServiceNow customers can automate complex workflows effectively. The ability to manage inputs, outputs, and step results allows for dynamic and responsive script actions. Customers can expect improved process automation, error handling, and logging capabilities, facilitating better tracking and reporting of step execution outcomes.

    In a step configuration record, the step execution script field determines what a step with this configuration does when it runs.

    Step inputs

    The input variables to a step are determined by the inputs related list in the step configuration record. The inputs parameter to executeScript() gives the script access to these variables. For example, if the inputs related list contains two records, var1 and var2, the script can reference var1 with the expression inputs.var1 and can reference var2 with inputs.var2.

    Step outputs

    The output variables to a step are determined by the outputs related list in the step configuration record. The outputs parameter to executeScript() gives the script access to these variables. For example, if the outputs related list contains two records, out1 and out2, the script can reference out1 with the expression outputs.out1 and can reference out2 with outputs.out2.

    Step result

    The stepResult parameter provides access to an API that controls whether the step passes or fails. It also determines the message the step writes to the log.

    The method stepResult.setSuccess() causes the step to succeed. The method stepResult.setFailed() causes the step to fail.

    The method stepResult.setOutputMessage() sets the message to write to the log when the step succeeds or fails. It takes one parameter: the string to write to the log. If the script calls stepResult.setOutputMessage() more than once, the most recent value set overwrites any previous value.

    Record Query step execution script

    
        (function executeStep(inputs, outputs, stepResult) {
             if (gs.nil(inputs.table)) {
                stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("The '{0}' input variable was not specified",
                   'table'));
             stepResult.setFailed();
              return;
        }
        var query = new GlideRecord(inputs.table);
        query.addEncodedQuery(inputs.field_values);
        query.query();
        if (!query.next()) {
             stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("No records matching query:\n{0}",
                 inputs.field_values));
              stepResult.setFailed();
        } else {
             stepResult.setSuccess();
             outputs.table = inputs.table;
             outputs.first_record = query.getUniqueValue();
             stepResult.setOutputMessage(gs.getMessage("Found {0} {1} records matching query:\n{2}",
                                                      [query.getRowCount(),
                                                       inputs.table,
                                                       inputs.field_values]));
        }
        }(inputs, outputs, stepResult));
        
       

    Custom scripted step configs

    
        ((function executeStep(inputs, outputs, stepResult, timeout) {
    	// Waits up to the timeout for some asynchronous logic to finish
    	// This script checks for completion once a second for up to 60 seconds
    	var counter = 1;
    	// Try for up to 60 seconds
    	while (counter <= timeout) {
    		// If the asynchronous logic is finished, return "true" to pass the step
    		// isMyAsyncLogicFinished() can be replaced with any asynchronous event that needs to be tested
    		if (isMyAsyncLogicFinished()) {
    			stepResult.setOutputMessage("Success!");
    			stepResult.setSuccess();
    			return;
    		}
    		// Wait one second, and log the total number of seconds waited
    		gs.info("Waited " + counter + " seconds for asynchronous logic to finish");
    		sn_atf.AutomatedTestingFramework.waitOneSecond();
    		counter++;
    	}
    	// If this point is reached, the retry loop ran out of tries; return false to fail the step
    	stepResult.setOutputMessage("FAILURE: Timed out after waiting for " + timeout + " seconds");
    	stepResult.setFailed();
    }(inputs, outputs, stepResult, timeout));
        
       
    Note:
    The above example can also be used for Run Server Side script by replacing stepResult.setSuccess()” and stepResult.setFailed() with return true and return false.