--- sourceDocument: Brazil ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform Release : - brazil ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Brazil ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities ft:clusterId : - platcap bundleId : - platcap workflow : - Platform --- # Container start, container split, and container end # Container start, container split, and container end {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Brazil Updated September 10, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read The container start, container split, and container end variables define a layout for a container that can hold more variables. Use the container start and container end variables to define the start and end points of a container layout. The container end must be used along with the container start to close a container. A container layout can be split into two or three columns using the container split variable. By default, the split is calculated at the 50% mark. A container is similar to a [variable set](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9FIcDmqCSSp4q2Xf4meqeA "Administrators and catalog administrators often define multiple catalog items that use the same group of service catalog variables. Catalog managers and catalog editors can attach a variable set for items to which they are assigned. However, catalog managers and catalog editors cannot create a variable set."). Unlike a variable set, containers can be used anywhere, including inside a variable set. Containers can also be nested inside each other. For more help with selecting the appropriate container type, see the [Determining if you are using the correct container variable \[KB0539982\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0539982) article in the HI Knowledge Base. Note: * The container variables are not yet supported on mobile devices. * Container start, container split, and container end variables are supported in Service Portal. However, if the settings are done on the top-level container, a maximum of two-column layouts can be achieved. * Variable sets are also considered as containers. So, a container start variable with a two-column layout under a variable set is not supported in Service Portal. {#contain-start-split-end__ul_tlh_rsy_dz} To reproduce the container shown in the following figure, enter the following settings when creating a container start variable: * Select a Layout with 2 Columns Wide, alternating sides. * Select the Display title check box to use a collapsible title bar. {#contain-start-split-end__ul_tzg_xjw_dq} Figure 1. Example: container variable **Related concepts** * [Attachment](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/JGwdvrvferNTLu~3JF77~A "When submitting a catalog item request, this variable lets you upload an attachment for a question of the item.") * [Break](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/lJmcNMWnQgrZPpm7g8dL1A "The break variable displays a horizontal line across the form.") * [Check box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/hbVAqwKDPgvQ7nx1PzK2Pg "The check box variable lets you enable and disable options by selecting and clearing it.") * [Date, Date and time, and Duration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oGTDaIDcOIbtJ2vhuXnm7w "The date variable creates a widget with a field and calendar to select a date.") * [Email](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/5RG7CkzE3wpkzobgWgKIKg "The email variable creates a widget to enter and select an email address.") * [HTML](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/_7_4PVWz1hEn1ZyhwizfUw "The HTML variable lets you provide content with advanced formatting, including images, for a catalog item.") * [IP Address](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ASDUwj90AWSrt5m_9Oecwg "Use the IP address variable to specify the IPv4 and IPv6 data for a catalog item.") * [Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oo2azfmNSYR~GmBCF8h0fw "The label variable displays a label across the form. Labels are formatting elements. No data is collected.") * [List collector](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dA~5R3PldOOud6BP5V63Kw "The list collector variable creates an interface that lets you select and add multiple records from a table.") * [Lookup multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/X3wim5c3p4BgXSEiyxBL0Q "The lookup multiple choice variable creates radio buttons using data from a table. Its functionality is similar to the lookup select box variable, which creates a choice list from queried data.") * [Lookup select box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xxiYjINiR6UhUnJDwa66jQ "The lookup select box variable creates a choice list using data queried from a table or from a choice list. Its functionality is similar to the lookup multiple choice variable, which creates radio buttons from the same sources.") * [Custom and Custom with label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/gauASiD55OfmRRhpyNxYVA "The custom variable inserts a UI macro into the catalog item. Custom with label variable inserts a UI macro with a label.") * [Masked](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ChxuIq3NR85jTYkQYJMjoQ "The masked variable inserts a field that masks the text entered.") * [Multi-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cRu5NbeSoB0TFGYqBDr8NA "The multi-line text variable creates a field that lets you enter multiple lines of text.") * [Multiple choice](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QjIPYX0U_vDSsuhCKDp_MQ "The multiple choice variable creates radio buttons for question choices.") * [Numeric scale](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rT~u9lAZIn0sE1Ns~h6wnA "The numeric scale variable creates a set of radio buttons for a range of options, like a Likert scale.") * [Reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mDOZCqSxZ3nWDY7~dDHimw "A reference variable references a record in another table. For example, a variable named point_of_contact references the User [sys_user] table.") * [Requested for](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Ck6RVxW~js9Z8D4I3ITvGw "Before submitting a catalog item request, this variable helps you specify who this request can be submitted for.") * [Rich Text Label](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/A06XJz1gz5BXeggNzv0MbQ "This variable displays a formatted label on a catalog item form.") * [Select box](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~73NXG_jE87bgzn1hvdjWQ "The select box variable creates a list from predefined question choices.") * [Single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WwBE84R0u6OnRuhDPJD3pg "The single-line text variable creates a field to enter a single line of text.") * [UI page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/h~~3B24quPkYR9b2pOw1_A "The UI page variable inserts a UI page into the catalog item.") * [URL](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/i_GOnjgb8mQw5aKD7i5Z8Q "The URL variable creates a widget for users to enter URLs.") * [Wide single-line text](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/AwsKrg7IeXeNMp9zy4xqzg "The wide single-line text variable creates a field that spans the form, letting users enter longer lines of text.") * [Yes/No](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mVtw1uwmVeC6_lbuxeejcw "The Yes or No variable creates a choice list with Yes and No as options.") **Related reference** * [Variable support in various channels](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/vqdq~tCjn1r5g9EsY_pl4w "Service Catalog variables are supported in various channels.")