---
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
---
# Lookup select box
# Lookup select box {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Brazil
Updated September 10, 2026
 2 minutes to read
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## Summary of Lookup select box
The lookup select box variable in ServiceNow creates a dynamic choice list populated by querying data from a database table or a predefined choice list.
It functions similarly to the lookup multiple choice variable, which presents options as radio buttons.
This variable enables catalog items to offer selections driven directly by existing data records or choice lists maintained elsewhere in the system.
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## Key Features
* **Data Sourcing:** Values can be sourced from either a table or a choice list, providing flexibility depending on whether the desired options exist as records or predefined choices.
* **Ordering:** By default, choices are ordered alphabetically by their label. The display order can be customized using the `refacorderby` variable attribute to sort by any table column.
* **Reference Qualifiers:** You can apply filters (reference qualifiers) to limit the data queried from large tables, improving performance and relevance. Example qualifier: `callerid=javascript:gs.getUserID()^active=true`.
* **Choice Dependency:** When sourcing from a choice list, you can set the variable to filter options based on the value of another question within the same catalog item, enabling dynamic, context-sensitive selections.
* **Channel Support:** Supported across Service Portal, mobile, and Virtual Agent channels for consistent user experience.
## Practical Considerations
* Loading choices from very large tables may cause performance issues; use reference qualifiers or consider the reference type variable if necessary.
* The system limits the number of choices to a maximum of 10,000 to maintain usability and performance.
## Configuration Highlights
* **Lookup from table:** Specify the table to query (e.g., Incident \[incident\]).
* **Lookup value field:** Typically the unique identifier such as Sys ID.
* **Lookup label field:** The user-friendly field to display, such as number, category, or priority.
* **Lookup source:** Choose between `Table` or `Choices` to define the data origin.
* **Choices depend on:** (Optional) Select another catalog question to filter choice options dynamically.
By leveraging the lookup select box variable, ServiceNow customers can build catalog items that present up-to-date, relevant, and filtered choice lists driven directly from existing data or choice configurations. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of user selections in service requests and workflows.
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.
You can also configure this variable, and the lookup multiple choice variable, to source its values from a choice list instead of a table. This is useful when the values you want to offer are already maintained as choices on a field on
another table, rather than as records in a table.
By default, choices are ordered by their label. You can control the order in which values appear by using the ref_ac_order_by variable attribute to sort by a specific column first.
For attributes supported by this variable, see [variable attributes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ZgEltaCGp47m_kPHe5yO2w "There are a few Service Catalog variables support specific attributes to define the behavior and restrictions for variables.").
To create the lookup select box, enter the following values when creating the variable:
* Lookup from table: `Incident [incident]`
* Lookup value field: `Sys ID`
* Lookup label field: `number, category, priority`
* Reference qual: `caller_id=javascript:gs.getUserID()^active=true`
{#lookup-select-box__ul_z51_2rw_dq}
## Use choice list values as the lookup source {#lookup-select-box__choice-list}
Instead of sourcing values from a table, you can configure the lookup select box or lookup multiple choice variable to source its values from a choice list. Complete the following fields to source values from a choice list:
* In the Lookup source field, select Choices. The default value is Table.
* Optionally, in the Choices depend on field, select another question on the same catalog item. The choice list then filters to the choices that are valid for the current value of that question.
Note:
* This option is available for the lookup select box and lookup multiple choice variable types. It is supported in the Service Portal, mobile, and Virtual Agent channels.
* Table with large data causes performance issues when loading the page. Use reference qualifiers to reduce data or use the reference type variable.
* You can't add more than 10,000 choices.
## Question \[item_option_new\] fields {#lookup-select-box__questions}
{#lookup-select-box__questions__entry__3}
| Field | Description | Type |
|-|-|-|
| Lookup source (lookup_source) | Determines where the variable's choice values come from. Set to Table to query a table, or Choices to source values from the sys_choice table. Only shown for the lookup select box and lookup multiple choice variable types. | Choice (default: Table) |
| Choices depend on (lookup_dependent_question) | Optional. References another question on the same catalog item. When set, the choice list filters to the choices that are valid for the current value of that question. Only shown when Lookup source is set to Choices. | Reference (to Question \[item_option_new\]) |
[Table 1. Question \[item_option_new\] fields]
**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.")
* [Container start, container split, and container end](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/nZRgEh16naqZgCVHPboj4w "The container start, container split, and container end variables define a layout for a container that can hold more variables.")
* [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.")
* [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.")