Client Script API - ServiceNow Fluent

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read

    • The Client Script API defines client-side scripts [sys_script_client] that run JavaScript on the client (web browser) when client-based events occur, such as when a form loads, after form submission, or when a field changes value.

    Note:
    For the latest ServiceNow Fluent API documentation and examples, see the ServiceNow Fluent API reference and ServiceNow SDK examples repository on GitHub.

    For general information about client scripts, see Client scripts.

    ClientScript object

    Create a client script [sys_script_client] to configure forms, form fields, and field values while the user is using the form.

    Table 1. Properties
    Name Type Description
    $id String or Number Required. A unique ID for the metadata object. When you build the application, this ID is hashed into a unique sys_id. For more information, see ServiceNow Fluent language constructs.

    Format: Now.ID['String' or Number]
    table String Required. The name of the table on which the client script runs.
    name String Required. The name of the client script.
    active Boolean Flag that indicates whether the client script is enabled.
    Valid values:
    • true: The script is enabled.
    • false: The script isn't enabled.

    Default: true
    appliesExtended Boolean Flag that indicates whether the client script applies to tables extended from the specified table.
    Valid values:
    • true: The script applies to extended tables.
    • false: The script doesn't apply to extended tables.

    Default: false
    uiType String The user interface to which the client script applies.
    Valid values:
    • desktop
    • mobile_or_service_portal
    • all

    Default: desktop
    description String A description of the functionality and purpose of the client script.
    messages String Text strings that are available to the client script as localized messages using getmessage('[message]'). For more information, see Translate a client script message.
    isolateScript Boolean Flag that indicates whether the script runs in strict mode, with access to direct DOM, jQuery, prototype, and the window object turned off.
    Valid values:
    • true: Isolate the script and don't run it in strict mode.
    • false: Run the script in strict mode.

    Default: false
    script Script A client-side script that runs in the browser. This property supports inline JavaScript or a reference to another file in the application that contains a script.
    Format:
    • To use text content from another file, refer to a file in the application using the following format: Now.include('path/to/file'). For more information, see ServiceNow Fluent language constructs.
    • To provide an inline script, use string literals or template literals for multiple lines of code: 'Script' or `Script`.
    global Boolean Flag that indicates on which views of the table the client script runs.
    Valid values:
    • true: The script runs on all views.
    • false: The script runs only on the specified views.

    Default: true
    view String The views of the table on which the client script runs. This property applies only when the global property is set to false.
    type String The type of client script, which defines when it runs. For more information about the supported types, see Client scripts.
    Valid values:
    • onCellEdit: Runs when the list editor changes a cell value.
    • onChange: Runs when a particular field value changes on the form.
    • onLoad: Runs when the system first renders the form and before users can enter data. Typically, onLoad() client scripts perform client-side-manipulation of the current form or set default record values.
    • onSubmit: Runs when a form is submitted. Typically, onSubmit() scripts validate things on the form and ensure that the submission makes sense. An onSubmit() client script can cancel form submission by returning a value of false.
    field String A field on the table that the client script applies to. This property applies only when the type property is set to onChange or onCellEdit.
    $meta Object Metadata for the application metadata.
    With the installMethod property, you can map the application metadata to an output directory that loads only in specific circumstances.
    $meta: {
      installMethod: 'String'
}
    Valid values for installMethod:
    • demo: Outputs the application metadata to the metadata/unload.demo directory to be installed with the application when the Load demo data option is selected.
    • first install: Outputs the application metadata to the metadata/unload directory to be installed only the first time an application is installed on an instance.
    		 
    import { ClientScript } from '@servicenow/sdk/core'

export const cs = ClientScript({
   $id: Now.ID['my_scripts'], 
   name: 'my_scripts',
   table: 'incident',
   active: true, 
   appliesExtended: false, 
   global: true,
   uiType: 'all', 
   messages: '', 
   isolateScript: false, 
   type: 'onLoad',
   script: Now.include('../client/client-script.js'),
})
    The client script is defined in the client-script.js file referenced from the script property. For example:
    function onLoad() { 
    const x = 'util' g_form.addInfoMessage(x) 
}