Catalog item render types

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

    • A render type determines how a catalog item's form can be rendered to requesters. For example, in Virtual Agent a catalog item can be rendered as a conversation, window, or pop-up.

    Catalog item request using Conversational-agentic render type

    The Conversational-agentic render type uses agentic AI to let users submit catalog item requests using a guided and natural language chat that means through conversations. Rather than showing all fields at once, a Now Assist collects user information step by step.

    Catalog item request using Web render type

    TheWeb render type is the default and most widely used rendering mode for catalog items. When a catalog item is set to this render type, its request form is rendered as a standard web page inside a portal or the Now Platform UI.

    Catalog item request using a conversation render type

    A user can submit a request in the conversation mode (by answering the questions in line) in Virtual Agent.
    Virtual Agent rendered as a conversation

    Catalog item request using a pop-up render type

    A user can submit a catalog item request as a pop-up for items, which are not conversational. In a pop-up, Virtual Agent provides a link for the user to submit the request in a pop-up without navigating to a new tab. A non-conversational catalog item can be rendered as a pop-up only if it does not have any Custom, Custom with label, or UI Page variables.
    Note:
    If you do not want to render your Virtual Agent conversation as a pop-up, set the glide.sc.va.render_type.legacy property to true, which renders all non-conversational catalog items in the configured portal in a new tab.
    Virtual Agent rendered as a pop-up

    Catalog item request using a window render type

    A user can submit a catalog item request in a window. In a window, Virtual Agent provides a link for the user to submit the request in the Service Portal defined in the sn_itsm_va.com.snc.itsm.virtualagent.portal_url property. A non-conversational item is rendered as a window if it has a Custom, Custom with label, or UI Page variable.

    A catalog item is rendered as a window if it is of the following types:
    • Content Item
    • Order Guide
    • Wizard Launcher
    • Standard Change Template
    Virtual Agent rendered as a window