Data dictionary tables

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Data Dictionary Tables

    The Data Dictionary Tables provide essential access to information regarding tables, columns, and field labels within your ServiceNow instance. This feature allows administrators to manage and configure database elements effectively.

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    Key Features

    • Tables [sysdbobject]: This table contains records for each table in your database. Administrators can create custom tables, modify existing ones, and access various administration options such as adding or editing columns, defining auto-number formats, and managing table extendability.
    • Dictionary Entries [sysdictionary]: Known as the System Dictionary, this table defines every table and field in the system, including attributes like data type and default values. Administrators can access it via System Definition > Dictionary, or configure specific dictionary definitions directly from the interface.
    • Field Labels [sysdocumentation]: This table, also referred to as the Language File, contains labels and hints for each table and column. Access it through System Definition > Language File to view or configure specific field labels.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing these Data Dictionary Tables, ServiceNow customers can maintain a well-organized database structure, ensure data integrity, and enhance user experience through clear field labels and documentation. This capability promotes efficient data management and customization within the platform.

    Access details related to tables, columns, and field labels in your instance.

    Tables

    All of the information on an instance is stored in tables, which consist of a series of records. The record in turn holds a series of fields that hold the individual bits of data and can be viewed either as a list or a form.

    The Tables [sys_db_object] table contains a record for each table in the database.

    Access the Tables [sys_db_object] table by navigating to System Definition > Tables. From the Tables list, an administrator can create a custom table, or select an existing table to view table details. In the table form, an administrator can access table administration options.

    • View, add, or modify columns with a searchable and sortable embedded list, define the auto-number format, make the table extendable by other tables, and create modules for the table.
    • Launch a schema map for a table by clicking the Show Schema Map related link.
    • Open the dictionary entries for the table by right-clicking the form header and selecting Show Dictionary Record.
    • Navigate directly to the default list or form view for the table by clicking the Show List or Show Form related link.
    • Delete all records from a table by clicking the Delete All Records.
    The following image shows a list of the tables that extend the Application File table.
    Figure 1. Tables
    A list of tables that extend the Application File table.

    Dictionary Entries

    The Dictionary Entries [sys_dictionary] table, also called the System Dictionary, defines every table and field in the system. It contains information about data type, character limit, default value, dependency, and other attributes of a field.

    Access the system dictionary in one of these ways:
    • To see the system dictionary list view, navigate to System Definition > Dictionary.
    • To view particular dictionary definition, right-click the list header, form header, or field label, and select Configure Dictionary.
    The following image shows a filtered list of dictionary entries for the Incident table and the Task table, which it extends.
    Figure 2. Dictionary Inc Task
    A filtered list of dictionary entries for the Incident table and the Task table.

    Field Labels

    The Field Labels [sys_documentation] table, also called the Language File, contains information about the labels and hints for each table and column in the system.

    Access the language file in one of these ways:
    • To see the list view, navigate to System Definition > Language File.
    • To see the field label for a particular field, right-click the field label on the form.
    The following image shows the language file filtered to display only labels on the Incident table.
    Figure 3. Field Labels
    A list showing field labels on the Incident table.