Open apps and app files across scopes in ServiceNow Studio

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Open and edit apps and app files in any scope — global or custom — in ServiceNow Studio. The current scope displays at the bottom of the screen and updates automatically when you switch to an app in a different scope.

    Tabs in ServiceNow Studio

    Each app or file you open in ServiceNow Studio opens in its own tab, showing the file name, file type, and scope.

    Each file opens in its own tab within ServiceNow Studio, showing the file type and application the file is in.

    If your browser window is narrow, open tabs may overflow. Select the more actions icon and choose Show Opened Editors to see a list of all open files. Select any file to open it in the canvas.

    View a list of all opened files from the more actions menu.

    Update sets

    The scope and update set associated with the current file appear at the bottom of the screen. Switch update sets or create one to package your changes.

    See the scope and update set associated with an open file at the bottom of the screen.

    Some builders override automatic scope switching. For example, when you use Table Builder to edit a form or table file, a message indicates that the scope is controlled by the builder.

    Some builders control the scope for apps open in ServiceNow Studio.