Data binding generation

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Data binding generation

    ServiceNow Otto simplifies creating data bindings for component properties in UI Builder by allowing you to use natural language instructions instead of manually navigating data trees or writing formulas. When configuring a component property, you can generate data bindings by describing the desired binding in plain language. Otto interprets your input, generates the corresponding formula or data reference, and lets you review it before applying.

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    How data binding generation works

    Otto maps your natural language instructions to available data sources for the component. These data sources include:

    • Page properties: Properties defined at the experience or page level.
    • Data resources: Data resources on the page, like lists of records from tables.
    • Client states: Client-side state parameters for the experience.
    • Event payload: Data carried by component events during event handler configuration.

    The interface provides Pill view and JSON tabs to inspect data structures, and a Formulas tab showing functions like CONCAT and WHEREGT that Otto can use to generate bindings.

    Types of generated bindings

    • Concatenation formula: Combines static text with data pills (e.g., joining a string with a user’s full name).
    • Filter formula: Applies conditions to data resources (e.g., filtering records where a field exceeds a value).
    • Direct data pill reference: References a single data field without transformation (e.g., using a value from event payload).

    Suggested prompts and reviewing bindings

    The Generate data binding panel offers suggested prompts based on the component context and available data sources to help you quickly create instructions. You can select or modify these prompts before generating bindings.

    After generation, a preview of the binding’s formula or data reference appears in the component’s property panel. This preview enables you to verify the result before applying it, or cancel if it doesn’t meet your needs. You can also stop the generation process anytime.

    ServiceNow Otto generates data bindings for component properties using natural language instructions, reducing the need to manually navigate data trees or construct formulas.

    When you configure a component property in UI Builder, the Bind data dialog includes a Generate data binding with ServiceNow Otto option. You describe the binding you want in plain language, and ServiceNow Otto produces the corresponding formula or data reference, which you can review before applying it.

    How data binding generation works

    When you submit a natural language instruction, ServiceNow Otto interprets your intent and maps it to the available data sources for the component. The generator has access to the following data source categories shown in the Data types panel:

    Page properties
    The properties defined at the experience or page level.
    Data resource
    The data resources added to the page, such as a list of records returned from a table.
    Client states
    The client-side state parameters defined for the experience.
    Event payload
    The data carried by a component event, available when configuring an event handler.

    The Pill view and JSON tabs let you inspect the data structure of each source before or after generating a binding. The Formulas tab shows available formula functions, such as CONCAT and WHERE_GT, that ServiceNow Otto may use to satisfy your instruction.

    Types of generated bindings

    Depending on the component property and your instruction, ServiceNow Otto generates one of the following binding types:

    Concatenation formula
    Combines static text with a data pill. For example, the instruction Show "Choose your ride" and the user's full name produces a CONCAT formula that joins a string literal with the session user name pill.
    Filter formula
    Applies a condition to a data resource. For example, the instruction Return from fleet whose year of manufacture is greater than 2020 produces a WHERE_GT formula on the fleet data resource, filtering the result set to records whose year field exceeds 2020.
    Direct data pill reference
    References a single field from a data source without transformation. For example, the instruction Use the pillId from event payload resolves to the pillId pill from the event payload data source.

    Suggested prompts

    The Generate data binding panel displays suggested prompts based on the component's context and the data sources available on the page. You can select a suggestion to populate the instruction field, then submit it as-is or modify it before generating. The panel also includes a Show more option to display additional suggestions.

    Reviewing generated bindings

    After ServiceNow Otto generates a binding, a preview appears in the component's property panel before the binding is applied. You can inspect the formula or data pill reference and close the dialog without applying it if the result doesn't match your intent. You can also stop an in-progress generation by selecting Stop generating.