CSM Configurable Workspace form templates

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 7 minutes to read
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    Summary of CSM Configurable Workspace Form Templates

    CSM Configurable Workspace form templates allow users to create and edit templates that automatically populate fields on case and interaction records, streamlining record creation and submission. Available in the Templates tab of the contextual side panel, these templates enhance efficiency by simplifying data entry and can be customized based on specific conditions.

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    Key Features

    • Template Versions: Two versions are available: basic (for Core UI) and advanced (default for case and interaction records).
    • Templates Tab: Users can view, sort, and manage templates in three lists: Favorites, My Templates, and All.
    • Advanced Capabilities: These include template-level and field-level conditions, placeholder variables, and email templates to enhance flexibility and personalization.
    • Template Form: A dedicated form for creating and editing templates, featuring collapsible sections for details and field configurations.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing form templates, ServiceNow customers can expect:

    • Streamlined record creation with pre-populated fields based on user-defined conditions.
    • Increased efficiency by reducing the need for multiple similar templates.
    • Personalized communication through the use of placeholder variables and pre-written email drafts.
    • Enhanced control over when templates are applied, ensuring relevance to specific cases.

    With these tools, you can effectively manage case and interaction records, improve response times, and enhance customer engagement.

    Create and edit form templates for use in CSM Configurable Workspace and then use the templates to automatically populate fields on case and interaction records.

    Form templates simplify the process of creating and submitting new records by populating fields with selected values. In CSM Configurable Workspace, form templates are available in the Templates tab in the contextual side panel.

    Form templates include advanced capabilities that let you control when and how they work. You can set conditions to show templates only for specific cases, choose which fields to populate based on the situation, insert variables that automatically fill in with customer information, and add pre-written emails. These capabilities help you create one flexible template instead of maintaining multiple similar templates.
    Note:
    Form templates are available in two versions: basic and advanced. The advanced version is enabled by default for case and interaction records in CSM Configurable Workspace. The basic version is used in the Core UI and for records other than cases and interactions.
    From the Templates tab, you can do the following:
    • View template cards that display information including the template name, description, and when the template was last used.
    • View different lists of templates, including Favorites, My Templates, and All.
    • Mark templates as Favorites by selecting the star icon on the template card.
    • Sort the available templates alphabetically or by last used.
    • Create a new template by selecting the Create icon (+) at the top of the Templates tab.
    • Edit an existing template by selecting the More actions icon on the template card and then selecting Edit.

    Templates tab

    The Templates tab in the contextual side panel includes form templates that are available to the current user. This tab includes three lists of templates:
    • Favorites: Templates that the user has marked as a favorite by selecting the star icon on the template card. The templates that are added to this list are accessible across different records.
    • My Templates: Templates created by the user.
    • All: All templates available to the user.
    Within each list of templates, users can do the following:
    • Search for templates by entering a keyword in the search box.
    • Sort the available templates, either last used or alphabetically, by making a selection from the drop-down menu.
    Figure 1. Templates tab with template cards
    CSM Configurable Workspace templates tab in the contextual side panel displays available templates to the user

    Template cards

    The Templates tab displays a card for each template in a list. These cards provide information about the templates, including:
    • A multi-line description of the template.
    • A timestamp that shows when the template was last used.
    • A star icon that you can use to mark a template as a favorite.
    • A preview icon to review template before applying.
    • An Apply button to apply the template to the current record.

    Template form

    The template form is used to create and edit templates. This form includes two collapsible form sections:
    • Details: Includes information about the template, such as the template name and the table that the template applies to.
    • Template: Includes the selected fields and the configured values for those fields which are applied to a record.
    Figure 2. Template form
    Create New Template form with the Details section collapsed. The Templates section includes a numbered row for each field and value added to the template.
    The Template section includes a row for each field that has been added to the template. These rows are numbered for readability and easy reference. The fields and configured values in each row are also labeled for readability.
    • Field: The field to update on the record.
    • Update to: The value to use for that field.
    The template form is available when creating a new template from a case or interaction or editing an existing template. The template form tab header displays a description of the current action:
    • Create new template: The system displays this tab header when you create a template.
    • Edit template: The system displays this tab header when you save the changes to a new template or when you edit a template.

    Advanced form template capabilities

    Form templates in CSM Configurable Workspace support advanced capabilities that give users more control over when and how templates work. Use these capabilities to create flexible templates that adapt to different situations.

    Advanced capabilities include:
    • Template-level conditions
    • Field-level conditions
    • Placeholder variables
    • Email templates
    Note:
    When you add any advanced capability (template-level conditions, field-level conditions, placeholder variables, or email templates) to a template, that template will not work in Core UI. Advanced capabilities are only available in CSM Configurable Workspace.

    Template-level conditions

    Template-level conditions control which cases show your template in the Templates list.

    How to use: Select Set conditions under Template Condition. In the Set conditions dialog, select a field, choose an operator, and enter a value. Add multiple conditions using AND or OR buttons. For example: [Account is XYZ] [AND] [State is Open]. Select Set to save.

    Templates that do not meet the conditions do not appear in Templates list. The template only appears for records matching these conditions. Start with template-level conditions before adding field-level conditions, and document complex conditions in the template description.

    Figure 3. Set conditions dialog box
    set conditions dialog

    Field-level conditions

    Field-level conditions control which fields populate when a template is applied, creating one flexible template instead of multiple similar ones.

    How to use: When adding fields to a template, click the filter icon next to a field. In the Set Conditions dialog, select a field, operator, and value. Use AND or OR for multiple conditions. Select Set to save. Fields without conditions populate every time. Fields with conditions populate only when the condition is met. The conditions appear as pills in the Details section with an Edit conditions link.

    Example: A template has 10 fields. The Assigned Team is set to populate only when Category = Technical. For billing cases, 9 fields populate (Assigned Team doesn't). For technical cases, all 10 fields populate.

    Placeholder variables

    Placeholder variables are special codes that the system automatically replaces with real information when you apply a template.

    How to use: When creating a template, click in a text field and select the variable picker icon. Browse available variables (all start with $ like $customer.name, $case.number, $case.short_description). Select a variable to insert it. When you apply the template, the system replaces variables with actual data from the case or interaction. Use variables for repetitive personalization, but avoid overuse that makes content feel generic. Test variable output to verify correct display.

    Example: Template text "Hi $customer.name, thank you for contacting us about case $case.number regarding $case.short_description" becomes "Hi Sarah Johnson, thank you for contacting us about case CS0012345 regarding login problems."

    Email templates

    Email templates let users add pre-written email content to a template. When the template is applied to a case or interaction, a formatted email draft appears in the Email tab.

    How to use: In the Email (optional) section, type your message in the Rich Text Editor (use toolbar for formatting). Select the variable picker to insert variables. Use Content Placement to choose how content is inserted:
    • None
    • Replace existing text
    • Insert before existing text
    • Insert after existing text
    • Insert at cursor

    Save the template. When you apply the template, the email draft appears with variables resolved. The system creates the email as a draft only and does not automatically send. If you reapply the template, the system replaces the existing email draft. When previewing a template, you can view both dynamic placeholders ($variable) and their resolved values. Review the email, make any necessary edits, and select Send.

    Figure 4. Email variable picker
    email variable picker

    Example: A "Password Reset" template with email content displays as "Dear Sarah Johnson, we received your password reset request for case CS0012345.

    Applying templates

    Templates appear in the Templates list when you open a case or interaction that matches the template conditions. For example, a template with conditions "Account is XYZ AND State is Open" only appears when a record has those values.

    To apply a template:
    1. Select a template: Choose a template from the Templates list.
    2. Preview (optional): Select the preview icon on the template card to review template details.
    3. Apply: Select Apply. Fields populate with template values. If you attempt to reapply a template to the same record, the system displays an alert warning that existing values may be overwritten.
    4. Verify: Updated fields show a black dot (●) next to their labels. The form displays "Unsaved" at the top.
    5. Save: Review the changes and select Save to save the record.

    To undo: Select Undo in the Templates panel before saving.

    Example: A case has Account = XYZ and State = Open. The template "State is Open and Account is XYZ - More info Needed" appears in the Templates list. After applying Channel, Priority, and Assignment group fields show dots (●) indicating updates. The changes are reviewed and saved.

    Adding comments, work notes, and email with templates

    You can create and use form templates that add content to the Additional comments and Work notes fields on a case or interaction and then post that content to the activity stream. Selecting a template displays a modeless dialog with the template content. For more information, see Modeless dialogs.

    Using template email content: When a template is applied that includes email content, an email draft appears in the Email tab. Select the Email tab to view the draft. The To, Cc, and Subject fields are populated based on case information. Review the email, make any edits if needed, and select Send.