Request Ad Hoc Approval activity

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Enable agents and fulfillers to specify which user(s) should complete approval request(s) during a playbook run.

    Roles and availability

    These activities are available as an application in the ServiceNow Store. Users with the playbook.admin or pd_author role can add these activities to a playbook.

    Inputs

    Open the activity properties panel and configure your activity to add values for the following inputs. If the input value varies, use the pill-picker to show where to get the value. To learn more about the pill-picker, see Dot-walking examples.

    Input Type Description
    Label String Title to display as activity and playbook card.
    Description String Information to display about activity usage or outcome.
    Run condition Condition Builder Conditions that must be met to run an activity or stage. You can use data from prior activities to build conditions.
    Note:
    Select Show additional options to see this field.
    Start Rule Choice Under Schedule > Start Rule, select a start rule for when your stage should start running:
    • When process starts: Your stage starts running as soon as the playbook starts.
    • After specific stages: Your stage starts running after specified stage(s) have finished running.
    Under Schedule > Start Rule, select a start rule for when your activity should start running:
    • When stage starts: Your activity starts running as soon as its stage starts running. Your stage starts running when your playbook is triggered.
    • After specific activities: Your activity starts running after specified activities have finished running.
    Start with delay True/False Option to wait for a duration of time before running an activity or stage. When enabled, this input displays the Start with delay input properties.
    Note:
    Select Show additional options to see this field.
    Approver Choice Individual users that will receive approval requests.
    Approver group Choice User Group that will receive approval requests.
    Table Choice Table that you want to choose the associated record from.
    Record Choice Associated record for the approval requests.

    Outputs

    • Records of your approval requests.
    • The states of your approval requests.