--- sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/build-workflows Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Build workflows ft:clusterId : - crworkflow bundleId : - crworkflow workflow : - Creator --- # Advanced Instruction activity # Advanced Instruction activity {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Advanced Instruction activity The Advanced Instruction activity in ServiceNow's playbooks allows you to display detailed guidance to end users throughout a playbook. This common activity is accessible to users with admin, playbook.admin, or pdauthor roles, enabling them to add it into playbooks to facilitate clear instructions and improve user experience during process execution. Show full answer Show less ## Configuration Inputs When adding the Advanced Instruction activity, you configure several inputs to tailor its behavior and display: * **Label and Description:** Define the title and informational text shown in the activity and playbook card. * **Run Condition:** Use conditions based on prior activity data to control when the activity or stage runs, accessible via the Condition Builder. * **Start Rule:** Schedule when the stage or activity begins, either at the playbook start, after specific stages or activities, or when the stage starts. * **Start with Delay:** Optionally delay the start of the activity or stage for a specified duration. * **Title and Description for End Users:** Customize the message displayed to end users during the activity. * **Wait for User Input:** Choose whether the playbook pauses until an end user manually completes or skips the activity (editable only by playbook.admin role). ## Advanced Inputs Additional optional inputs allow further customization: * **Assignment Group:** Assign a user group responsible for the task related to this activity. * **Assigned To:** Assign a specific user responsible for completing the task. * **Tagline and Footer:** Add header and footer text to enhance the message shown to end users. ## Outputs The activity outputs a reference to the task record associated with it, which can be used as input to subsequent activities within the playbook, enabling data flow and process continuity. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * Provides clear, customizable instructions to end users, improving adherence to process steps. * Enables conditional execution and flexible scheduling of activities for dynamic playbook flows. * Supports task assignment to groups or individuals for accountability and tracking. * Allows pausing playbooks to capture manual input or acknowledgement, ensuring critical steps are not skipped. * Facilitates integration of task records with other playbook activities through output references. Display detailed instructions to guide end users through your playbook. ## Roles and availability {#advanced-instruction-activity__section_pwq_rb5_kcb} This activity is available as a common activity. Users with the admin, playbook.admin, or pd_author can add this activity to a playbook. ## Inputs {#advanced-instruction-activity__section_yb4_zq3_plb} Open the activity properties panel and configure your activity to add values for the following inputs. If the input value varies, use the pill-picker to show where to get the value. To learn more about the pill-picker, see [Dot-walking examples](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=dot-walking-examples&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US). {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_ajt_sr3_plb__entry__3}{#advanced-instruction-activity__wait-process} | Input | Type | Description | |-|-|-| | Label | String | Title to display as activity and playbook card. | | Description | String | Information to display about activity usage or outcome. | | Run condition | Condition Builder | Conditions that must be met to run an activity or stage. You can use data from prior activities to build conditions. Note: Select Show additional options to see this field. | | Start Rule | Choice | Under ScheduleStart Rule, select a start rule for when your stage should start running: * When process starts: Your stage starts running as soon as the playbook starts. * After specific stages: Your stage starts running after specified stage(s) have finished running. {#advanced-instruction-activity__ul_f4z_nq1_ppb}Under Schedule \> Start Rule, select a start rule for when your activity should start running: * When stage starts: Your activity starts running as soon as its stage starts running. Your stage starts running when your playbook is triggered. * After specific activities: Your activity starts running after specified activities have finished running. {#advanced-instruction-activity__ul_zzc_3ls_m1c} | | Start with delay | True/False | Option to wait for a duration of time before running an activity or stage. When enabled, this input displays the [Start with delay input properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/EdInaaLAHZCnrBcJbs96Lw "Specify a duration of time to wait before running an activity or a stage whose start rule and conditions have been met. Give users time to act during automated playbooks. Give users time to wait for a specific date and time to complete actions."). Note: Select Show additional options to see this field. | | Title | String | Title displayed to end users. | | Description | String | Details to display in the message to end users. | | Wait for user input | Choice | Option to pause the playbook until the end user manually completes or skips the activity. Only users with the playbook.admin role can edit this field. By default, the activity waits for user action or data before it completes. | [ ] {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_ajt_sr3_plb} ## Advanced inputs {#advanced-instruction-activity__section_bgh_1r3_plb} After configuring the required inputs for your activity, you can also choose to configure additional inputs. In the side panel, select Show additional options to display these advanced inputs. For more information, see [Activity experience](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/aEvbv54ObgcCjjhXabvx8w#activity-definitions__activity-experience). {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_cjj_sr3_plb__entry__3} | Input | Type | Description | |-|-|-| | Assignment Group | Reference.Group \[sys_user_group\] | Group responsible for completing the task associated with the activity. Note: Select Show additional options to see this field. | | Assigned To | Reference.User \[sys_user\] | User responsible for completing the task associated with the activity. Note: Select Show additional options to see this field. | | Tagline | String | Header tagline to display to end users. | | Footer | String | Footer text to display to end users. Note: Select Show additional options to see this field. | [ ] {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_cjj_sr3_plb} ## Outputs {#advanced-instruction-activity__section_unx_fr3_plb} These outputs can provide data to other activities in your playbook. You can access this data as activity inputs when you configure your activity: {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_mv2_rr3_plb__entry__3} | Output | Type | Description | |-|-|-| | Record | Reference.Task \[task\] | Reference to the record associated with the activity. | [ ] {#advanced-instruction-activity__table_mv2_rr3_plb} *[\>]: and then