Field normalization and transformation

Release version: Australia

Updated March 12, 2026

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Summary of Field Normalization and Transformation

Field normalization and transformation are functionalities within ServiceNow that enhance data integrity and minimize duplication by altering field values. Normalization consolidates variations of the same field value into a single preferred value, while transformation standardizes raw input values into more meaningful organizational formats.

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Key Features

Normalization: Detects variations and replaces them with a recognized standard, improving search results and eliminating duplicates. It is particularly effective for descriptive values like names and units of measurement.
Transformation: Converts raw input into standardized values based on rules set by administrators, facilitating clearer data representation (e.g., rounding RAM sizes or removing suffixes from names).
Field Type Management: Specific field types are designated for normalization and transformation, with support for various data types, including strings, URLs, and numerics. Administrators can create additional records as needed.
Normalization Icon: Fields associated with normalization or transformation records display an icon, which can be accessed by users with the normalizer role to view the related records.

Key Outcomes

By implementing field normalization and transformation, ServiceNow customers can expect improved data accuracy, reduced redundancy in records, and enhanced clarity in data presentation. This ultimately leads to better decision-making and operational efficiency within the organization.

Field Normalization includes normalization and transformation, which are two different ways to alter field values for increased data integrity and reduced duplication.

Normalization

Normalization searches for variations of the same field value and converts them into a single preferred value. By consolidating multiple variations of the same value into a single simple recognizable value, the system eliminates duplicate records and provides better search results. When a process or a user enters a value in a normalized field, the system determines whether to replace it with a normal value. Normalization also automatically adjusts queries to return normalized results and normalizes values in scripts.

While normalization is available for every field in the platform, it works best for descriptive values such as names or standard units of measurement. For example, you might create normalization rules to:

Set the CPU type of a computer CI to a standard model name such as Xeon.
Set the suffix used for the names of corporations to a standard format such as ServiceNow, Inc..

Transformation

Transformation converts raw field input values into standardized values that are more meaningful to an organization. Administrators control when transformation happens by defining rules and conditions for specific fields. For example, you might create transformation rules to:

Remove suffixes from user names such as Jr. and II.
Round computer CI RAM sizes to the nearest whole number such as rounding 4112 MB to 4000 MB.

Transform records make up the rules that define how a field transformation is executed. Order values determine the order in which each rule is evaluated. A check box on each transform enables an administrator to determine where processing stops when a rule evaluates to true.

Enabling normalization and transformation by field type

Field type records specify which data types are available for normalization and transformation. By default, the system supports normalization and transformation for these field types.


Field type	Use to normalize	Use to transform
Decimal	false	true
Float	false	true
Integer	false	true
Numeric	false	true
String	true	true
URL	true	true

A field type entry applies to all fields whose dictionary entry data type matches the field type entry. Administrators can create additional field type records for other data types as needed.

Warning:

Avoid creating field type records for fields that store a Sys ID value such as a reference field, field name field, or a table name field. Directly altering a Sys ID value is more likely to produce data corruption and broken references than to produce meaningful standard values. Instead, normalize or transform the display value associated with the Sys ID. For example, normalize the user name instead of the Sys ID of a specific user.

Identifying normalized fields

The system displays the normalization icon on fields with an associated normalization or transformation record. Users with the normalizer role can click the icon to access the associated normalization or transformation record. Users without the normalizer role instead see a help page. Administrators can configure who sees the normalization icon with a preference called Restrict to roles.