---
sourceDocument: Australia Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/conversational-interfaces

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Conversational Interfaces

ft:clusterId :

    - convint

bundleId :

    - convint

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Activity stream in Sidebar

# Activity stream in Sidebar {#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 Activity stream in Sidebar

The Activity stream in Sidebar feature enables ServiceNow users to create and manage discussion links directly within the activity stream, enhancing collaboration around records.
This functionality is available exclusively in the Next Experience interface and not in Core UI.
When a Sidebar discussion is initiated, a corresponding discussion tile appears in the activity stream, allowing users with access to the related record to view and participate in the conversation seamlessly.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Sidebar Discussion Tiles:** Display the discussion name, type, start date/time, participant profile pictures (with badges for additional participants), and the creator's name.
* **Primary Record Card:** Embedded within the activity stream, showing key record details such as Record ID, short description, type, state, assigned user, priority (for tasks), and a link to open the record.
* **Starting and Accessing Discussions:** Users can open Sidebar discussions via the activity stream; however, customers and non-fulfiller roles cannot see these tiles if they lack record access.
* **Posting and Managing Messages:** Users can post messages from Sidebar discussions to the activity stream, ensuring critical conversation points are linked to the record. Filters must include Sidebar discussion and Sidebar posted message for visibility.
* **Pinning Discussion Tiles:** Discussion tiles can be pinned to remain at the top of the activity stream for quick access.
* **Editing and Deleting Messages:** Edits or attachment changes made in Sidebar discussions are reflected in the activity stream. Deleting a message in Sidebar removes it from the activity stream, and users can also remove messages directly from the activity stream using the More Actions menu.

## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

* Facilitates clear, contextual communication by linking discussions directly to the relevant record within the activity stream.
* Improves collaboration efficiency by allowing users to view, post, edit, and manage discussion messages without navigating away from the activity stream.
* Ensures sensitive information is protected by restricting discussion tile visibility to users with appropriate record access.
* Enhances record management by keeping conversations and updates centralized, visible, and easily accessible.  
Create links to Sidebar discussions in the activity stream and post discussion messages directly to the related record.
Note:  
Sidebar and discussion tiles are available only with Next Experience and not in Core UI.

When someone creates a Sidebar discussion, the system adds a corresponding Sidebar discussion tile to the activity stream. Users who have access to the record can also access the discussion from the activity stream. Sidebar users can post messages from discussions into the activity stream as Sidebar posted messages. You can add and remove these posted messages as necessary.
For general information about activity streams, see [Activity streams](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_activity-streams&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US).  

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{#activity-stream-sidebar__table_p2f_g5k_d5b__entry__2}

|   |   |
|-|-|
| 1 | Sidebar discussion name, type of conversation, and date and time the discussion started. |
| 2 | Profile pictures of the participants. If there are more than five participants, a badge displays the number of additional participants whose profile pictures aren't shown. |
| 3 | Name of the user who created the Sidebar discussion. |
[Table 1. Sidebar tile]

{#activity-stream-sidebar__table_p2f_g5k_d5b} The primary record card appears as part of the activity stream and displays the following:

* Record ID
* Short description
* Type
* State
* Assigned to
* Link that opens the record
* Priority (for task-based record cards)
{#activity-stream-sidebar__ul_emb_frn_x5b}  

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## Starting a discussion {#activity-stream-sidebar__section_zbt_zkk_f5b}

If you select Open Discussion, then the Sidebar panel opens and displays the Sidebar discussions. Customers and non-fulfiller roles don't have access to the record, so they don't see the conversation
tile, similar to work notes.  

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## Posting a message {#activity-stream-sidebar__section_sdz_4kk_f5b}

You can select any message in the Sidebar discussion panel and post it to the activity stream. When you post a message from the Sidebar discussion to the primary record's activity stream, the most important information is tied
directly to the record. You can then open the conversation from the record, add yourself to the discussion, and view the conversation
history.  

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If Sidebar messages posted to the activity stream aren't appearing, ensure Sidebar discussion and Sidebar posted message are selected in the activity stream
filter.  

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## Pinning a discussion tile {#activity-stream-sidebar__section_ayf_rkk_f5b}

To pin a discussion tile, select the pushpin icon.
A pinned discussion tile stays at the top of the activity stream.  

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## Editing or deleting a message in Sidebar {#activity-stream-sidebar__section_in2_nhb_fvb}

If you edit a message in a Sidebar discussion that was already posted to the activity stream, then any changes that you made to the message are reflected in the activity stream.

If you posted a message with an attachment in a Sidebar discussion and the message was already posted to the activity stream, any changes made to the attachment are
reflected in the activity stream. For example, if you post a message with an attachment in a Sidebar discussion and it's posted to the activity stream and you later delete the attachment and replace it with a different one, the activity stream displays the new attachment.

If you delete a message in a Sidebar discussion after the original message was already posted to the activity stream, then the system removes the message
from the activity stream.

## Deleting a message from the activity stream {#activity-stream-sidebar__section_mhr_5kk_f5b}

To remove a message from the activity stream, select the More Actions
menu for each chat bubble within a Sidebar discussion and then select
Remove from activity stream.  

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