Exploring actions

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
    • Summarize
    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 Exploring Actions

    Actions in ServiceNow automate repeatable tasks within a flow, executing a sequence of steps while passing data as inputs and outputs. These actions enhance the efficiency of flow authors by allowing the reuse of configurations across multiple flows, minimizing the need for extensive configuration each time an action is used.

    Show full answer Show less

    Key Features

    • Inputs: Data variables that define what information the action will use. For example, an action that creates an incident record will refer to the incident table. Each input must have a value defined by flow designers, with advanced options available to facilitate configuration.
    • Outputs: Data variables that represent the results of the action, accessible to other actions within the flow.
    • Steps: Individual reusable operations within an action. For instance, the "Create Record" step allows the specification of table and field values during record creation. Application developers can utilize ServiceNow's core steps or add application-specific steps via associated spokes.

    Key Outcomes

    Using Workflow Studio, users can:

    • Create application-specific actions with pre-set configurations for easy integration into flows.
    • Develop scripted actions that appear code-less, simplifying the flow design process.
    • Leverage existing automated steps to build new automated operations, enhancing efficiency.
    • Pass and use data between automated operations, streamlining workflows.

    Actions automate a repeatable task or operation within a flow. Flows run actions by passing them data as inputs. Actions run a sequence of steps to complete the task, and pass data to the flow as outputs.

    Actions overview

    Parts of an action including the calling source, inputs, action steps, outputs, and data returned to a flow.

    Automate a repeatable task within a flow as a sequence of related steps. Enable flow authors to add actions to multiple flows with minimal configuration.

    A reusable action includes these components.

    Inputs

    Inputs are data variables used in your action. For example, if an action step creates a record in the incident table, your input might be a reference to the incident table. Once added as an input, the table and its fields are available to steps and outputs in the flow.

    Each input you define for an action becomes a configuration option in the Workflow Studio interface. To use the action in a flow, flow designers must define a value for each mandatory input. The more inputs an action has, the more data flow designers must define and the more familiar they must be with the underlying data model to use the action effectively.

    Inputs provide advanced options based on their data type. All inputs have advanced options to add a hint or provide a default value. Use advanced options to guide flow designers through adding and configuring an action to a flow. For example, create a choice input to provide flow designers with a pre-defined list of configuration options to choose from. For more information about the configuration options available to particular data types, see field types.

    Outputs
    Outputs are data variables that represent the results of the action. These results are available to other actions in a flow.
    Steps

    A step is a single reusable operation within an action. For example, the Create Record step allows action designers to specify the table and field values to use during record creation. Step configuration requires subject matter expertise with application tables, fields, and business logic. Application developers or IT generalists add steps to actions from the Workflow Studio action design environment. Workflow Studio provides a set of ServiceNow core steps to automate ServiceNow AI Platform processes. You can add application-specific steps by activating the associated spoke.

    For detailed instructions for creating an action, see Create an action in Workflow Studio.

    Actions benefits

    Using Workflow Studio, you can:
    • Create application-specific actions with pre-set configuration details, enabling process analysts to easily add actions to a flow with little configuration.
    • Create scripted actions that appear code-less when added to a flow.
    • Build integrations using Integration Hub.
    Benefit Feature Users
    Build an automated operation from an existing library of automated steps. Action Application developer, integration owner, or process owner
    Run an automated operation on demand. Action Application developer, integration owner, or process owner
    Use data from other automated operations as inputs. Action Application developer, integration owner, or process owner
    Pass data to other automated operations as outputs. Action Application developer, integration owner, or process owner
    Stream data in a sequence of pages. Data Stream Action Integration owner