---
sourceDocument: Yokohama API Reference
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/api-reference

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama API Reference

ft:clusterId :

    - crapiref

bundleId :

    - crapiref

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Retrieve choice fields using direct web services

# Retrieve choice fields using direct web services {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

To retrieve or set choice fields, use the choice Value, not the
Label.

For example, if you want to retrieve a list of all closed incidents, use the numerical value
for Closed, which is 7 by default.

    <state>7</state>

To see a list of choice values:

1. Navigate to the form containing the choice field. For example, navigate to Incident \> Open and select an incident.
2. Right-click the choice value field and select Configure Dictionary. For example, configure the dictionary for the State field.
3. From the Choices related list, note the value for the label you want to query. For example, note that the Closed choice has a value of 7.
{#retrieving-choice-fields-direct-ws__ol_wpc_wgy_5w}
**Related concepts**   

* [Use forms to limit or extend the query response](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mEjcu3ttq8b8dEIHv_3GZg "On occasion, there is a need to limit the number of field values that a SOAP query returns.")
* [Return the display value for reference variables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Q4oorUfcspaG5qKp1QMNXg "When you query a record using a get or getRecords function, the instance returns all fields associated with that record. The fields are often reference fields that contain a sys_id for a record on another table.")
* [Clear values from a target instance](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/YXJ8Eg5KFoE~zjxWo1f3Fg "You can pass an empty value through a SOAP parameter to clear the respective value in the target instance.")
* [Retrieve journal entries using direct web services](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/t0wHqZm7rW9MoSCMkR44Ew "To get the contents of a journal field, make a second soap request against the sys_journal_field table to pull the appropriate journal records back for the record in question.")
* [Persist an HTTP session across all SOAP calls](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cWAq~1~hykVOFevCCSWSIw "In circumstances when a SOAP client makes many calls in a short amount of time, you may want to re-use a single HTTP session for all SOAP calls.")  
**Related reference**   

* [SOAP direct web service API functions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Q7YANGU~of75f3qHvFes6Q "The standard SOAP API is a set of small, globally defined functions that can be performed on a targeted resource.")