Data binding generation

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated June 11, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Data binding generation

    Data binding generation in the Australia release enables ServiceNow customers to create data bindings for UI Builder component properties using natural language instructions. This feature, powered by Now Assist, eliminates the need for manual navigation of data trees or constructing formulas, streamlining the configuration process in the Bind data dialog.

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    How data binding generation works

    When you enter a natural language instruction, Now Assist interprets your intent and maps it to the component's available data sources, which include:

    • Page properties: Properties defined at the experience or page level.
    • Data resources: Data resources added to the page, such as lists of records from tables.
    • Client states: Client-side state parameters for the experience.
    • Event payload: Data carried by component events when configuring event handlers.

    The interface provides Pill view and JSON tabs to inspect data structures and a Formulas tab showing available functions (e.g., CONCAT, WHEREGT) that Now Assist may use to fulfill the instruction.

    Types of generated bindings

    Depending on the component property and instruction, Now Assist generates:

    • Concatenation formulas: Combine static text with data pills (e.g., joining a string with the user's full name).
    • Filter formulas: Apply conditions to data resources (e.g., filtering records where a field value exceeds a threshold).
    • Direct data pill references: Reference single fields from data sources without transformation (e.g., using an event payload field).

    Suggested prompts and reviewing bindings

    The Generate data binding panel offers context-aware suggested prompts to help you quickly craft instructions. You can select and modify these prompts before generation.

    After generation, a preview of the binding appears in the component’s property panel so you can review the formula or data reference. You have the option to apply, modify, or cancel the binding if it does not meet your intent. Additionally, you can stop an ongoing generation process.

    Now Assist generates data bindings for component properties using natural language instructions, reducing the need to manually navigate data trees or construct formulas.

    When you configure a component property in UI Builder, the Bind data dialog includes a Generate data binding with Now Assist option. You describe the binding you want in plain language, and Now Assist produces the corresponding formula or data reference, which you can review before applying it.

    How data binding generation works

    When you submit a natural language instruction, Now Assist interprets your intent and maps it to the available data sources for the component. The generator has access to the following data source categories shown in the Data types panel:

    Page properties
    The properties defined at the experience or page level.
    Data resource
    The data resources added to the page, such as a list of records returned from a table.
    Client states
    The client-side state parameters defined for the experience.
    Event payload
    The data carried by a component event, available when configuring an event handler.

    The Pill view and JSON tabs let you inspect the data structure of each source before or after generating a binding. The Formulas tab shows available formula functions, such as CONCAT and WHERE_GT, that Now Assist may use to satisfy your instruction.

    Types of generated bindings

    Depending on the component property and your instruction, Now Assist generates one of the following binding types:

    Concatenation formula
    Combines static text with a data pill. For example, the instruction Show "Choose your ride" and the user's full name produces a CONCAT formula that joins a string literal with the session user name pill.
    Filter formula
    Applies a condition to a data resource. For example, the instruction Return from fleet whose year of manufacture is greater than 2020 produces a WHERE_GT formula on the fleet data resource, filtering the result set to records whose year field exceeds 2020.
    Direct data pill reference
    References a single field from a data source without transformation. For example, the instruction Use the pillId from event payload resolves to the pillId pill from the event payload data source.

    Suggested prompts

    The Generate data binding panel displays suggested prompts based on the component's context and the data sources available on the page. You can select a suggestion to populate the instruction field, then submit it as-is or modify it before generating. The panel also includes a Show more option to display additional suggestions.

    Reviewing generated bindings

    After Now Assist generates a binding, a preview appears in the component's property panel before the binding is applied. You can inspect the formula or data pill reference and close the dialog without applying it if the result doesn't match your intent. You can also stop an in-progress generation by selecting Stop generating.