Configure a card descriptive element for input form screens

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
  • Add a card descriptive element before an input field, within an input form screen. This additional on-screen information provides a context to your users, enabling them to better understand what is required as they enter data into an input form.

    Before you begin

    Note:
    Card descriptive elements are configured in the ServiceNow AI Platform, whereas image, text and rich text descriptive elements are configured in the Mobile App Builder. For the configuration of image, text, or rich text descriptive elements see, Configure descriptive elements for input form screens.

    Role required: admin

    To use a mobile card within a descriptive element, a mobile card must be configured. For more information, see Mobile Card Builder.

    When using a preconfigured mobile card, consider the following:
    • If the card you select for the descriptive element contains a button, the button text is visible, but the button isn't enabled.
    • If the card you select for the descriptive element contains an image, the image doesn't display.
    • The card you use from the Card [sys_sg_view_config] table must be set to Active, so that the text elements defined in the text slots display.

    About this task

    You can add card descriptive elements to input fields, sections that contain input fields, or input form sections without any inputs. Descriptive elements can be a selection of simple text, rich text, an image or a mobile card that precedes an input. This topic deals with the configuration of descriptive element of type card. For the configuration of image, text, or rich text descriptive elements see, Configure descriptive elements for input form screens. Input form screen with a card descriptive element at the top.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to All > sys_sg_descriptive_element.list.
    2. Select New in the Descriptive element list.
    3. In the Name field, enter a unique name for your descriptive element.
    4. Optional: In the Label field, enter a name that displays above your descriptive element.
    5. In the Type field, select Card.
    6. In the Parent table field, either select:
      • Input for the card to precede the input.
      • Input form section for the card to exist within the specific section.
    7. In the Parent field, select an input or input section that is on your input form screen by selecting the lookup (Reference lookup icon.) icon.
    8. Select the relevant input and then select OK.
    9. In the Attributes area of the Descriptive element list, enter the name ViewId in the Name column.
    10. Enter the ViewId of the card in the Value column.
      Note:
      The ViewId is the sys_id of your view config record.
      To obtain the ViewId of your card, do the following.
      1. Navigate to All > sys_sg_view_config.list.
      2. Select the card that you want to display as a descriptive element.
      3. Select and hold (or right-click) the menu icon (Context menu icon.) and then select Copy sys_id.
      4. Paste the sys_id into the Value column.
    11. Select Update.