UI Layouts

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of UI Layouts

    A UI Layout in ServiceNow defines how properties and components are used when an activity is displayed as a card in a Playbook Experience. Each activity definition must have a UI Layout associated with it to determine how the activity data is rendered during runtime.

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    Key Features

    • Create Record: Displays sections for Associated Record, Record Details, Footer Form, Attachments, and Features.
    • Questionnaire: Similar to Create Record, with sections for Associated Record, Record Details, Footer Form, Attachments, and Features.
    • Instructional: Focuses on Associated Record, Record Details, Footer, and Features.
    • Knowledge: Includes Associated Record, Knowledge, Record Details, and Features.
    • List: Offers sections for Associated Record, Record Details, List Details, and Features.
    • Record: Contains sections for Associated Record, Record Details, Footer Form, Attachments, and Features.
    • Record Generator: Creates a record during runtime and redirects users to the new record.
    • Guided Decision: Requires a subscription to App Engine or Customer Service Management, featuring Decision Tree and Related tasks.

    Key Outcomes

    By using the appropriate UI Layout, ServiceNow customers can effectively configure how activities are presented within Playbooks, tailoring the user experience according to the specific needs of their workflows. This customization allows for enhanced user engagement and streamlined processes during runtime. Each layout provides specific fields and sections that dictate the information displayed, enabling users to gather or present data efficiently depending on the activity type chosen.

    A UI Layout describes what properties and components to use when an activity renders as a card in a Playbook Experience.

    When creating an activity definition, you must select an UI Layout to associate your activity definition with. Playbooks come with the following UI Layouts that are available in your instance by default:
    • Create Record
    • Questionnaire
    • Instructional
    • Knowledge
    • List
    • Record
    • Record generator
    Depending on the UI Layout associated with the activity, different sections and fields appear under the activity definition's Activity Experience. These sections and fields let you set up the activity data that renders during the runtime Playbook Experience.
    Note:
    All UI Layouts, except for Record generator, display an Associated Record section. For information on how to set up or edit the Associated Record section in an activity definition, see Create an activity definition.

    Create Record

    If you choose the Create Record UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Tagline
    • Icon
    • Title
    • Description
    • Pending State Title
    • Pending State Description
    • Record fields
    • Footer
    Form
    Displays the following fields:
    • Form View
    • Form fields
    • Template Fields
    Attachments
    Displays the following fields:
    • Attachment source
    • Attachments read only
    Features
    Displays the following fields:
    • Show SLA
    • Show Checklist
    • Is Automated
    The Create Record activity that comes with the application uses this UI Layout.
    Figure 1. In an activity definition
    In Workflow Studio, the fields are configured on the UI Layouts tab of the side panel:
    Figure 2. In Workflow Studio
    In a running playbook, your configurations are reflected:
    Figure 3. In a running playbook

    Questionnaire

    If you choose the Questionnaire UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Tagline
    • Icon
    • Title
    • Description
    • Pending State Title
    • Pending State Description
    • Record fields
    • Footer
    Form
    Displays the following fields:
    • Form View
    • Form fields
    Attachments
    Displays the following fields:
    • Attachment source
    • Attachments read only
    Features
    Displays the following fields:
    • Show SLA
    • Show Checklist
    • Is Automated

    Instructional

    If you choose the Instructional UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Tagline
    • Icon
    • Title
    • Description
    • Footer
    Features
    Displays the following field: Is Automated

    Knowledge

    If you choose the Knowledge UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Knowledge
    Displays the following fields:
    • Knowledge Table
    • Knowledge Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Title
    • Footer
    Features
    Displays the following field: Is Automated

    List

    If you choose the List UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Tagline
    • Icon
    • Title
    • Description
    • Record fields
    List Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • List Title
    • Table
    • List Query
    • UI View
    • Columns
    • Max Columns
    • Row Count
    Features
    Displays the following field: Is Automated

    Record

    If you choose the Record UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:

    Associated Record
    Displays the following fields:
    • Associated table
    • Associated record
    • Experience Status Table
    • Experience Status Record
    Details
    Displays the following fields:
    • Tagline
    • Icon
    • Title
    • Description
    • Pending State Title
    • Pending State Description
    • Record fields
    • Footer
    Form
    Displays the following fields:
    • Form View
    • Form fields
    Attachments
    Displays the following fields:
    • Attachment source
    • Attachments read only
    Features
    Displays the following fields:
    • Show SLA
    • Show Checklist
    • Is Automated

    Record generator

    Activities with a Record generator UI Layout create a record during runtime, and redirect users to the record. For example, in this activity, after an agent selects the Continue button, a record is created and they are taken to that new record.
    Record generator activity during runtime
    If you choose the Record generator UI Layout, the following sections appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:
    • Template Fields
    • Process Definition Scoped Name
    • Associated Table
    • Form View

    Guided Decision

    Note:
    The Guided Decision UI Layout is available with a subscription to App Engine or Customer Service Management (CSM). For more information on how to enable this activity for use in Playbooks, see Activate Playbooks for Customer Service Management (CSM).
    If you choose the Guided Decision UI Layout, the following fields appear in the Activity Experience section for your activity definition:
    • Decision Tree Execution
    • Decision Tree