Syntax editor JavaScript support

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Syntax editor JavaScript support

    The ServiceNow syntax editor enhances JavaScript script editing by providing essential editing functions and keyboard shortcuts tailored for efficient coding. It supports automatic syntax checking, code formatting, commenting, searching, replacing, and full-screen editing to streamline script development within the platform.

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    Key Features

    • Toggle Syntax Editor: Enable or disable the syntax editor as needed for script fields.
    • Format Code: Automatically applies proper indentation to improve code readability.
    • Comment/Uncomment Selected Code: Easily add or remove comments on selected script sections.
    • Check Syntax: Automatic and manual syntax error detection with visual indicators beside problematic lines.
    • Search and Replace Functions: Includes search, find next/previous, replace, and replace all features with support for regular expressions to efficiently navigate and modify code.
    • Save Without Exiting: Save script changes while remaining in the current editing view, especially useful in full screen mode.
    • Toggle Full Screen Mode: Expand the script editor to occupy the full form view for easier editing (not supported in Internet Explorer).
    • Help Screen: Displays available keyboard shortcuts for faster workflow.

    Editing Tips

    • Fold and unfold code blocks using the minus and plus signs to manage script visibility.
    • Use the Tab key to insert fixed spaces or indent lines; Shift + Tab decreases indentation.
    • Select multiple lines to indent or outdent code blocks efficiently.

    Additional Resources

    Scripts adhere to the ECMA 262 standard JavaScript. ServiceNow customers can reference authoritative JavaScript documentation and resources such as Mozilla’s JavaScript reference, the ECMA standard PDF, and JavaScript number references for deeper understanding and script optimization.

    The syntax editor provides editing functions to support editing JavaScript scripts.

    JavaScript editing functions

    Icon Keyboard Shortcut Name Description
    N/A Toggle Syntax Editor Disables the syntax editor. Click the button again to enable the syntax editor.
    Access Key + R Format Code Applies the proper indentation to the script.
    Access Key + C Comment Selected Code Comments out the selected code.
    Access Key + U Uncomment Selected Code Removes comment codes from the selected code.
    N/A Check Syntax Checks the code for syntax errors. By default, the system automatically checks for syntax errors as you type in a script field. If an error or warning is found, the syntax editor displays a bullet beside the script line containing the error or warning. This check occurs on all script fields.
    Access Key + \ Start Searching Highlights all occurrences of a search term in the script field and locates the first occurrence. Click the icon, then enter the search term and press Enter. You can use regular expressions enclosed in slashes to define the search term. For example, the term /a{3}/ locates aaa.
    Access Key + [ Find Next Locates the next occurrence of the current search term in the script field. Use Start Searching to change the current search term.
    Access Key + ] Find Previous Locates the previous occurrence of the current search term in the script field. Use Start Searching to change the current search term.
    Access Key + W Replace Replaces the next occurrence of a text string in the script field.
    1. Click the icon, then enter the string to replace and press Enter. You can use regular expressions enclosed in slashes to define the string to replace. For example, the term /a{3}/ locates aaa.
    2. Enter the replacement string and press Enter.
    Access Key + ; Replace All Replaces all occurrences of a text string in the script field.
    1. Click the icon, then enter the string to replace and press Enter. You can use regular expressions enclosed in slashes to define the string to replace. For example, the term /a{3}/ locates aaa.
    2. Enter the replacement string and press Enter.
    N/A Save Saves changes without leaving the current view. Use this button in full screen mode to save without returning to standard form view.
    Access Key + L Toggle Full Screen Mode Expands the script field to use the full form view for easier editing. Click the button again to return to standard form view. This feature is not available for Internet Explorer.
    Access Key + P Help Displays the keyboard shortcuts help screen.

    JavaScript editing tips

    • To fold a code block, click the minus sign beside the first line of the block. The minus sign only appears beside blocks that can be folded. To unfold the code block, click the plus sign.
    • To insert a fixed space anywhere in your code, press Tab.
    • To indent a single line of code, click in the leading white space of the line and then press Tab.
    • To indent one or more lines of code, select the code and then press Tab. To decrease the indentation, press Shift + Tab.
    • To remove one tab from the start of a line of code, click in the line and press Shift + Tab.

    JavaScript resources

    Scripts use ECMA 262 standard JavaScript. Helpful resources include: