---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/servicenow-platform
Release :
- australia
ft:locale :
- en-US
ft:publication_title :
- Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
ft:clusterId :
- platcap
bundleId :
- platcap
workflow :
- Platform
---
# Lookup select box
# Lookup select box {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Australia
Updated March 12, 2026
 2 minutes to read
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## Summary of Lookup select box
The lookup select box variable in ServiceNow creates a choice list populated dynamically from either a table query or a choice list.
It functions similarly to the lookup multiple choice variable but uses a dropdown select box instead of radio buttons.
This variable is especially useful when you want to offer choices maintained as either records in a table or as predefined choices on a field in another table.
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## Key Features
* **Data Source Options:** You can source values from a table or from a choice list. Sourcing from a choice list is beneficial when choices are already defined on fields in other tables.
* **Ordering:** By default, choices are ordered alphabetically by label. You can customize the order using the `refacorderby` attribute to sort by specific columns.
* **Reference Qualifiers:** When sourcing from tables, you can use reference qualifiers to filter records (e.g., filtering incidents by caller and active status). However, reference qualifiers do not apply when sourcing from a choice list.
* **Choice Dependencies:** When sourcing from choice lists, you can filter choices based on the value of another question in the same catalog item, enabling dynamic dependent selection.
* **Performance Considerations:** Large tables can slow down page load times. It is recommended to use reference qualifiers to limit data or to use a reference type variable if performance issues arise.
* **Limits:** You cannot have more than 10,000 choices in the lookup select box.
* **Channel Support:** The lookup select box and lookup multiple choice variables support Service Portal, mobile, and Virtual Agent channels.
## Practical Use and Configuration
To configure a lookup select box:
* Set the source to either **Table** or **Choices**.
* When using a table, specify the table name, value field (such as Sys ID), label fields (e.g., number, category, priority), and any reference qualifiers to filter records.
* When using choices, select the choice list source and optionally specify a dependent question to filter choices dynamically.
This flexibility allows ServiceNow customers to create dynamic, user-friendly dropdowns in catalog items that reflect relevant and current data or predefined choices, enhancing user experience and data accuracy in service requests.
The lookup select box variable creates a choice list using data queried from a table or from a choice list. Its functionality is similar to the lookup multiple choice variable, which creates radio buttons from the same
sources.
You can also configure this variable, and the lookup multiple choice variable, to source its values from a choice list instead of a table. This is useful when the values you want to offer are already maintained as choices on a field on
another table, rather than as records in a table.
By default, choices are ordered by their label. You can control the order in which values appear by using the ref_ac_order_by variable attribute to sort by a specific column first.
For attributes supported by this variable, see [variable attributes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0uikZdqONt0Trs2GcoPj2A "There are a few Service Catalog variables support specific attributes to define the behavior and restrictions for variables.").
To create the lookup select box, enter the following values when creating the variable:
* Lookup from table: `Incident [incident]`
* Lookup value field: `Sys ID`
* Lookup label field: `number, category, priority`
* Reference qual: `caller_id=javascript:gs.getUserID()^active=true`
{#lookup-select-box__ul_z51_2rw_dq}
## Use choice list values as the lookup source {#lookup-select-box__choice-list}
Instead of sourcing values from a table, you can configure the lookup select box or lookup multiple choice variable to source its values from a choice list. Complete the following fields to source values from a choice list:
* In the Lookup source field, select Choices. The default value is Table.
* Optionally, in the Choices depend on field, select another question on the same catalog item. The choice list then filters to the choices that are valid for the current value of that question.
Note:
* This option is available for the lookup select box and lookup multiple choice variable types. It is supported in the Service Portal, mobile, and Virtual Agent channels.
* Table with large data causes performance issues when loading the page. Use reference qualifiers to reduce data or use the reference type variable.
* You can't add more than 10,000 choices.
* Reference qualifiers aren't honored when the lookup source is set to choice.
## Question \[item_option_new\] fields {#lookup-select-box__questions}
{#lookup-select-box__questions__entry__3}
| Field | Description | Type |
|-|-|-|
| Lookup source (lookup_source) | Determines where the variable's choice values come from. Set to Table to query a table, or Choices to source values from the sys_choice table. Only shown for the lookup select box and lookup multiple choice variable types. | Choice (default: Table) |
| Choices depend on (lookup_dependent_question) | Optional. References another question on the same catalog item. When set, the choice list filters to the choices that are valid for the current value of that question. Only shown when Lookup source is set to Choices. | Reference (to Question \[item_option_new\]) |
[Table 1. Question \[item_option_new\] fields]
**Related concepts**
* [Attachment](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jTzvt2Qak2eIv9kbqewcBQ "When submitting a catalog item request, this variable lets you upload an attachment for a question of the item.")
* [Break](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dWGTkTriLo0wWf6ES7_RAQ "The break variable displays a horizontal line across the form.")
* [Check box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fxVgbaNQKfBXWY3_YKTxVw "The check box variable lets you enable and disable options by selecting and clearing it.")
* [Container start, container split, and container end](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/DrMjBwL88i1IV~Svlasozw "The container start, container split, and container end variables define a layout for a container that can hold more variables.")
* [Date, Date and time, and Duration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hA598qHUPRYn3O4l6fkx7g "The date variable creates a widget with a field and calendar to select a date.")
* [Email](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/IaA8~makXdQ6QW~_pvxU_g "The email variable creates a widget to enter and select an email address.")
* [HTML](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/RfucgOibsokDDRugdSTY0A "The HTML variable lets you provide content with advanced formatting, including images, for a catalog item.")
* [IP Address](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ZGgpq390IAykxLTg9gAVCQ "Use the IP address variable to specify the IPv4 and IPv6 data for a catalog item.")
* [Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~MDa8uzxzbKpkvc5Xj4l8A "The label variable displays a label across the form. Labels are formatting elements. No data is collected.")
* [List collector](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8J27Knp_STMq9medxSSdiA "The list collector variable creates an interface that lets you select and add multiple records from a table.")
* [Lookup multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/a7w04hKkZgBSI9S_OD17Aw "The lookup multiple choice variable creates radio buttons using data from a table. Its functionality is similar to the lookup select box variable, which creates a choice list from queried data.")
* [Custom and Custom with label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/NBxteVUiAP6XiptGkqYDkg "The custom variable inserts a UI macro into the catalog item. Custom with label variable inserts a UI macro with a label.")
* [Masked](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/NMCzp0J6PiVZplt0gQDudQ "The masked variable inserts a field that masks the text entered.")
* [Multi-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TvrnPk9UQnEd0PbQe9vQbw "The multi-line text variable creates a field that lets you enter multiple lines of text.")
* [Multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/tW1tAfwFWenGIaQgsswqrQ "The multiple choice variable creates radio buttons for question choices.")
* [Numeric scale](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/f0TN582AQCAHfYTCG55gbA "The numeric scale variable creates a set of radio buttons for a range of options, like a Likert scale.")
* [Reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hiCdYZT7gLxUFaiXccl8mg "A reference variable references a record in another table. For example, a variable named point_of_contact references the User [sys_user] table.")
* [Requested for](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/y0UX7kzevzpj9ZhHt9pWWw "Before submitting a catalog item request, this variable helps you specify who this request can be submitted for.")
* [Rich Text Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/tSRttV2VzlBJ23Ex7xFdWA "This variable displays a formatted label on a catalog item form.")
* [Select box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/4xWYz86TXWphXpK9HllSyQ "The select box variable creates a list from predefined question choices.")
* [Single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jX8rCP1u_6C_r5WYhDlV8Q "The single-line text variable creates a field to enter a single line of text.")
* [UI page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/73akCIN2nQzbkspqehOLqA "The UI page variable inserts a UI page into the catalog item.")
* [URL](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/q5ymCnV0l2m8dL53FIGNjA "The URL variable creates a widget for users to enter URLs.")
* [Wide single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/DFAWn_DAV1XZTmGG2mtbug "The wide single-line text variable creates a field that spans the form, letting users enter longer lines of text.")
* [Yes/No](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/P460jCgpARUtn051fZPz6w "The Yes or No variable creates a choice list with Yes and No as options.")
**Related reference**
* [Variable support in various channels](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/4mH030SL6tldgDLEGemgng "Service Catalog variables are supported in various channels.")