--- sourceDocument: australia Combined Product Files sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/delta-xanadu-australia Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - australia Combined Product Files ft:clusterId : - delta3ax bundleId : - delta3ax --- # Combined Playbooks in Workflow Studio release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Australia # Combined Playbooks in Workflow Studio release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Australia {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated October 8, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 7 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 Combined Playbooks in Workflow Studio Release Notes for Upgrades from Xanadu to Australia This consolidated release notes document provides ServiceNow customers with essential information on upgrading Playbooks in Workflow Studio from the Xanadu release through to Australia. It highlights new features, changes, removals, deprecations, activation instructions, and other important upgrade considerations spanning multiple releases. The goal is to help customers prepare for and successfully implement upgrades while maximizing the value of Playbooks in Workflow Studio. Show full answer Show less ## Important Upgrade Information * **Pre- and post-upgrade tasks:** Customers should review and complete specified upgrade tasks for each release, including updating Playbooks and Workflow Studio applications via the ServiceNow Store after each upgrade. * **Australia release:** No new updates or changes were introduced specifically in the Australia release for Playbooks in Workflow Studio. * **Activation:** Workflow Studio and Playbooks are part of the ServiceNow AI Platform® and available by default. To access new features, customers should download or update the relevant applications from the ServiceNow Store, including Workflow Studio and the Otto for Creator app for playbook generation. ## New Features Introduced (Xanadu Release) * **Variants:** Use a single playbook for multiple scenarios with customizable variants to streamline playbook management. * **Playbook Recommendations:** Receive suggestions to replace placeholder activities with relevant activities, aiding playbook creation. * **Re-prompt and Preview:** Preview and modify prompts before building the playbook, enhancing accuracy and control. * **Image to Playbook Generation:** Automatically generate playbooks with out-of-the-box activities from text, images, or both. * **Questionnaire Activity:** Collect up to 10 custom pieces of information from agents or fulfillers during a playbook run without requiring existing tables or fields. * **Greater Access Controls:** Improved management of playbook and component access permissions. * **Archived Data Enhancements:** Schedule archiving of process execution data and access archived JSON files. * **Script Support:** Use scripts or business rules to activate, restart, deactivate, or duplicate playbooks via APIs. ## Key Changes * **Updated Roles:** The previous pdadmin role was renamed to playbook.admin to align with platform role conventions. * **Asynchronous Activity Triggering:** Initial playbook activities now trigger asynchronously to improve performance and reduce delays during playbook runs. ## Feature Removals and Deprecations * **Removal:** The Collect User Data activity was removed; customers should use the newer Questionnaire activity instead for gathering user input. * **No deprecations:** No features were deprecated between Xanadu and Australia. ## Additional Requirements and Regional Considerations * Features such as archived data enhancements, script support, updated roles, and access controls are part of the ServiceNow AI Platform and active by default. * Some features require downloading apps from the ServiceNow Store to access their full capabilities. * Localization restrictions apply: Playbook generation with images and use of OpenAI large language models (LLMs) for playbook generation are not available in the APAC region. ## Accessibility and Browser Support * Accessibility improvements include keyboard navigation in Diagram view, screen reader support, and color contrast updates to meet WCAG standards. * No new browser requirements were introduced across the releases. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * Customers upgrading from Xanadu to Australia can leverage enhanced playbook flexibility through variants and AI-powered playbook generation tools. * Improved access controls and scripted management of playbooks facilitate better governance and automation. * Asynchronous activity triggers optimize playbook performance during execution. * Using the Questionnaire activity simplifies data collection without complex table dependencies. * Upgrading requires updating applications from the ServiceNow Store to access all new features and fixes. Consolidated page of all release notes for Playbooks in Workflow Studio from Xanadu to Australia. ## How to use this page To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Playbooks in Workflow Studio release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Xanadu to Australia. Tip: If there were no updates for a release notes section in a certain family release, we included a short note for your reference. For example, if a product did not have any updates in Tokyo, the row says "No updates for this release." ## Important information for upgrading Playbooks in Workflow Studio to Australia Before you upgrade to Australia, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__2} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | After you upgrade to Xanadu, update the Playbooks and Workflow Studio applications in the ServiceNow Store. | | Yokohama | Upgrade information : After you upgrade to Yokohama, update the Workflow Studio application in the ServiceNow Store. | | Zurich | Upgrade information : After you upgrade to Zurich, update the Workflow Studio application in the ServiceNow Store. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## New features Between your current release family and Australia, new features were introduced for Playbooks in Workflow Studio. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__12} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | [Variants](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=playbook-variants&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Use one playbook for multiple scenarios with variants. [Playbook recommendations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=playbook-recommendations&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Get suggestions on which activities to replace placeholder activities with. [Re-prompt and preview](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=generate-a-playbook-outline&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Preview and modify your prompt before building your playbook. [Image to playbook generation](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=generate-a-playbook-outline&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Generate a playbook with out-of-the-box activities from text, an image, or both. [Questionnaire activity](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=questionnaire-activity&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Reference flow glide variable input and output values in an activity's condition builders to collect up to 10 pieces of information from an agent or fulfiller to use later during a playbook run, without requiring an existing table or fields. [Greater access controls](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=user-access-playbooks&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Better manage access to your playbooks and playbook components. [Archived data enhancements](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=archive-process-executions&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Schedule process execution data to be archived, and view the JSON files for your archived data. [Script support for activate, restart, deactivate, and duplicate](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=api-rn&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : Use a script include or business rule that calls the activate, deactivate, restart, or duplicate playbook APIs. [Washington 25.2 release](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer-rn&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : See 25.2 features in the [Washington DC Playbooks release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer-rn&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US): * Playbook Assist | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Changes Between your current release family and Australia, some changes were made to existing Playbooks in Workflow Studio features. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__22} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | [Updated Roles](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer-roles&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) : The pd_admin role is now playbook.admin. Activities trigger asynchronously : To avoid slowing down the playbook runs, the first activities are triggered asynchronously. | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Removed Between your current release family and Australia, some Playbooks in Workflow Studio features or functionality were removed. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__32} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | Use the Questionnaire activity instead of the Collect User Data activity. | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Deprecations Between your current release family and Australia, some Playbooks in Workflow Studio features or functionality were deprecated. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__42} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | No updates for this release. | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Activation information Review information on how to activate Playbooks in Workflow Studio. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__52} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | The application comes with the app in the Workflow Studio ServiceNow Store app. Workflow Studio is part of the ServiceNow AI Platform® and is available by default. Get the latest Workflow Studio features by downloading the ServiceNow Store, as well as related applications like the Process Automation Experience Demo application. To use the playbook generation feature in Workflow Studio, download the [ServiceNow Otto for Creator](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/application/8178fec0ce0431105a7c9305875b2dca) application. Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=sn-store-release-notes&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US). | | Yokohama | Activation information : The application comes with the application can be downloaded for patch fixes.Workflow Studio ServiceNow Store app. Workflow Studio is part of the ServiceNow AI Platform® and is available by default. Get the latest Workflow Studio features by downloading the latest Workflow Studio app in the ServiceNow Store, as well as related applications like the Process Automation Content and Process Automation Experience Demo applications. The To use the playbook generation feature in Workflow Studio, download the [ServiceNow Otto for Creator](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/application/8178fec0ce0431105a7c9305875b2dca) application. Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=sn-store-release-notes&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US). Important: Workflow Studio is available in the ServiceNow Store. For details, see the "Activation information" section of these release notes. | | Zurich | Activation information : The application comes with the application can be downloaded for patch fixes.Workflow Studio ServiceNow Store app. Workflow Studio is part of the ServiceNow AI Platform® and is available by default. Get the latest Workflow Studio features by downloading the latest Workflow Studio app in the ServiceNow Store, as well as related applications like the Process Automation Content and Process Automation Experience Demo applications. The To use the playbook generation feature in Workflow Studio, download the [ServiceNow Otto for Creator](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/application/8178fec0ce0431105a7c9305875b2dca) application. Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=sn-store-release-notes&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). Important: Playbooks is available in the ServiceNow Store. For details, see the "Activation information" section of these release notes. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Additional requirements If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Playbooks in Workflow Studio we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__62} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | The following features are part of the ServiceNow AI Platform® and are active by default: * Archived data enhancements * Script support for activate, restart, and deactivate * Updated roles * Greater access controls Download the app in the ServiceNow Store to access the following features: * Variants * Questionnaire activity * Playbook Recommendations * Re-prompt and preview For access to all app in the store.Xanadu features, download the latest | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | Additional requirements : Download the latest Workflow Studio app in the ServiceNow Store to access the newest features. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Browser requirements If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Playbooks in Workflow Studio we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__72} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | No updates for this release. | | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Accessibility information Review details on accessibility information for Playbooks in Workflow Studio, such as specific requirements or compliance levels. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__82} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | No updates for this release. | | Yokohama | Accessibility information :
| | Zurich | Accessibility information : * In Diagram view, navigate between and configure stages and activities [via keyboard](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=keyboard-navigation-in-playbook-diagram-view&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). * Set the action bar to always show in Diagram view. To learn more, see [View all buttons without hover](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=view-all-buttons-without-hover&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). * In Diagram view, use a screen reader to help navigate the designer. * Updated color contrast for activities to meet WCAG standards. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Localization information If there are specific localization considerations for Playbooks in Workflow Studio we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__92} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | Playbook generation with images is not available in the APAC region. | | Yokohama | Localization information : Using OpenAI LLMs for playbook generation is not available in the APAC region. | | Zurich | Localization information : Using OpenAI LLMs for playbook generation is not available in the APAC region. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Highlight information If there are specific highlight considerations for Playbooks in Workflow Studio we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-playbooksinworkflowstudio-summary__entry__102} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Xanadu | * Use one playbook for multiple scenarios with variants. * Get recommendations on which activities to replace placeholder activities with. * Preview and modify your text directions before generating your playbook outline with Now Assist. * Generate a playbook with out-of-the-box activities from text, an image or both. * Collect custom responses from an end user, without requiring an existing table or fields. * Better manage access to your playbooks and playbook components. See [Exploring playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&family=xanadu&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | | Yokohama | * Add custom translations for playbooks. * Restart playbook activities that have ended in error. * Create a checklist directly in the side panel without needing a checklist template. * Generate a playbook via API in other ServiceNow applications such as IT Operations Management (ITOM). * Generate playbooks from inputs that refer to active actions, flows, subflows, content from installed spokes, or activity definitions. See [Exploring playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | | Zurich | * Add permissions for playbook authors and runtime users. * Activate a playbook without a trigger. Set multiple potential triggers for a playbook, or trigger a playbook on a schedule. * Enable AI agents to complete activities without human intervention during runtime. * Set child variants to evaluate later in a playbook. * Create decision branches for stages. See [Playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | | Australia | No updates for this release. | [ ]