---
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
---
# Make a decision flow logic
# Make a decision flow logic {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Australia
Updated March 12, 2026
 4 minutes to read
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## Summary of Make a decision flow logic
The Make a decision flow logic in ServiceNow enables you to handle complex conditional branching in flows by using external decision tables.
This approach replaces nested If, Else If, or Else statements with a more readable and maintainable format.
It is ideal for scenarios where multiple inputs influence the flow path, such as determining insurance coverage based on age, accident history, and car model.
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This flow logic requires configuration of an external decision table, which defines the possible answers and conditions. Each decision table answer corresponds to a distinct branch in the flow, allowing targeted actions based on the decision outcome.
## Key Features
* **Decision Table Integration:** Connects to a sysdecision record that holds decision inputs and possible answers.
* **Multiple Inputs and Decisions:** Supports any number of inputs and can execute single or multiple matching decision answers.
* **Execution Modes:**
* *First decision that matches:* Executes only the first matched answer.
* *Run all decisions that match:* Executes all matching answers and returns multiple outputs.
* **Branching Control:**
* *Use Branches option:* Displays each decision answer as a separate branch in the flow, like individual If blocks.
* *Include Otherwise option:* Adds an 'Otherwise' branch for handling cases where no decision table answer matches (equivalent to an Else block).
* Disabling branches returns answer records instead of branch flow logic blocks.
* **Data Pills Scope:** Data pills set inside a decision branch are only available within that branch; referencing them outside returns null.
* **Outputs:**
* Answer table with matching records.
* Ordered list of answer record IDs (when running all matches without branches).
* Count of matched answers.
## Practical Application
For instance, to determine insurance coverage, you can configure a decision table with inputs like age, accident history, and car model. The Make a decision flow logic evaluates these inputs, branches accordingly, and runs specific actions per insurance recommendation. Inputs can be populated manually or via data pills from other flow components.
## Important Considerations
* Clearing the Use Branches option removes all branch flow logic blocks and the Include Otherwise option; these cannot be restored by re-enabling it.
* If the decision table has a default answer, the Otherwise branch will not execute.
* When using data pills set inside branches, ensure that subsequent actions referencing these pills are within the same branch to avoid null values.
## Execution Monitoring
The Flow execution details tab provides runtime information, showing evaluation results for each branch, including whether branches were evaluated and their outcomes. Branches that evaluated to true are highlighted, and detailed actions within each branch are displayed.
You can use the decision table branching logic in situations where multiple conditional paths are required, as an alternative to nested If, Else If, or Else flow logic. For example, if you want to determine what kind of car insurance you need, you can add inputs such as your age, accident history, and car model to the decision table to determine a level of insurance coverage. This logic can save you time and present a more readable format than nested if conditions or switch case statements.
The Make a decision flow logic requires that you create an external decision table for its branch paths. Each decision table answer produces a separate branch path within your flow. Decision tables accept any number of inputs and support any number of decisions. You can configure the Make a decision flow logic to return a single or multiple answers and to display the answers as branch paths or record data pills. For more information on decision tables, see [Exploring Decision Tables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2xAt3u1e0tpZJ9Pi4iHWdg "Decision tables in Workflow Studio enable developers to decouple decision logic from their code by creating and maintaining decision rules.").
Note:
* When the Use Branches check box is cleared, the Make a decision data pills in other flow components is supported only if there are no branches.
* The Make a decision data pill can be used in the answer branches only when the Use Branches check box is selected.
* When you set a data pill value from inside an answer branch of Make a decision flow logic, the data pill value is only available to other actions in the same branch. Referencing a data pill value that was set inside an answer branch from outside of the flow logic branch produces a null value.
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## Inputs {#flow-logic-make-decision__section_k2q_fhm_r2b}
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| Input | Description |
|-|-|
| Decision Label | Descriptive label for the decision that you want to make. For example, you can create the Recommended Insurance Policy label if you want to determine the level of insurance coverage that you need. This value overrides the default action label. |
| Decision Table | Reference to a decision table \[sys_decision\] record. This record provides the decision input answers that are available to the flow. To create a new decision table, select the create new record icon (![Create new record icon]()). |
| Execution | Decision answers you want the flow to run. * First decision that matches: Run only the first matching decision answer. This option produces these outputs. * Answer record * Answer table {#flow-logic-make-decision__ul_p4s_ndr_bpb} * Run all decisions that match: Run all matching decision answers. This option produces these outputs. * Answer table * Ordered IDs * Answer records * Count {#flow-logic-make-decision__ul_gb4_xdr_bpb} {#flow-logic-make-decision__ul_h4r_mdf_ffb} Note: Set the Use Branches option to specify how your flow displays matching decision answers. |
| Use Branches | Option to display each possible decision answer in its own branch flow logic block. Use the branch flow logic block to specify what content to run where the condition matches a specific decision table answer. Each branch flow logic block is equivalent to an If flow logic block for each answer. Disable branches when you want to return one or more answer records instead of branch flow logic blocks. Warning: When you clear and confirm the Use Branches option, your flow removes the flow logic blocks for each branch and removes the Include Otherwise check box. Reselecting the Use Branches check box does not restore any removed branch flow logic blocks. |
| Include Otherwise | Option to add the otherwise branch to the list of available answers. This option is only available when Use Branches is selected. You can use this branch to specify the actions and subflows to run when the decision table does not generate an answer. An Otherwise branch is equivalent to an Else flow logic block. Note: If you specify a decision table default answer, this branch will never run because the decision table always selects an answer. |
| Decision table inputs | List of Decision Input \[sys_decision_input\] records that are associated with your decision table. Your flow displays a separate input for each record. For example, if you have decision inputs for Units Ordered and Location of Sale, an input displays for each record. |
[ ]
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## Outputs {#flow-logic-make-decision__section_yzd_hg5_w2b}
{#flow-logic-make-decision__table_oy4_hdy_1fb__entry__3}
| Field | Description | Data Type |
|-|-|-|
| Answer table | Table containing the answer records. Each decision \[sys_decision_question\] table record refers to a matching answer record. | Table Name |
| Ordered IDs | List of matching answer record sys_id values generated by the decision table. Your flow only generates this output when the Use Branches option is false and the Execution option is Run all decisions that match. You can use this output as the input for a For Each flow logic block or a Look Up Record action. Your flow sorts the list by the Order value listed in the Decision \[sys_decision_question\] table. | List |
| Answer records | Answer records returned by the decision table. Returns a single record when Execution is First decision that matches. Returns a list of records when Execution is Run all decisions that match. | Record or Records |
| Count | The number of answer records returned by the decision table. Only displayed when Execution is Run all decisions that match. | Integer |
[ ]
{#flow-logic-make-decision__table_oy4_hdy_1fb}
## Use make a decision flow logic to determine insurance coverage
In this example, the flow uses a decision from the Insurance Coverage decision table, which an administrator had configured to determine the insurance coverage that was based on three inputs. The flow
displays all the inputs that were used by the decision table. These inputs can be entered manually, or by dragging data pills into the inputs from the data panel on the right side of the screen. Below this section, the branches
for each answer are shown in the decision table.
## Execution details {#flow-logic-make-decision__section_pqc_2qt_w2b}
Figure 1. Make a decision flow execution details
The Flow execution details tab provides runtime information about the flow logic.
1. The header shows the state, start time, and runtime for the flow logic.
2. The action shows details about the decision table configuration and inputs.
3. Each possible answer for the decision table is represented as a branch. The state field indicates whether the branch was evaluated and the evaluation result. This section also displays details about the actions that are taken within a branch. Branches that evaluate to true are highlighted in green.
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