Use case: Generate a data binding and formula

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated August 11, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Use case: Generate a data binding and formula

    This feature enables developers to automate data binding configuration in UI Builder by generating formula syntax from natural language descriptions. This eliminates the need to memorize or manually write complex formula expressions, accelerating development and reducing errors.

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    Key Features

    • Natural language formula generation: Developers describe binding logic in plain English within the Formula Builder, and ServiceNow Otto translates it into valid formula syntax automatically.
    • Streamlined workflow: Developers can review, accept, edit, and apply generated formulas directly to component properties without writing any code.
    • Example use cases: Dynamic label text based on page layout (e.g., "Simplified View" vs "Standard View") and counting active intake requests using generated length functions.
    • Prerequisites: Requires installation of UI generation and the uibuilderadmin role to access these capabilities.

    Configuration steps

    • Open UI Builder and navigate to the target experience and page variant.
    • Select the component (e.g., label) and open the Data binding popover.
    • Use the "Get started" option to enter a natural language prompt describing the desired logic.
    • Generate the formula syntax via ServiceNow Otto, review, accept, and apply it to the component.
    • Preview and test the page to verify the dynamic bindings render correctly.

    Key outcomes

    Developers can configure dynamic UI behavior rapidly without needing to memorize or look up formula syntax, reducing development time and minimizing errors. This allows focus on user experience design rather than formula writing.

    Automate data binding configuration without memorizing formula syntax.

    Scenario

    A developer at a healthcare organization is creating a self-service patient intake portal using UI Builder. The portal features a form that shows dynamic labels based on whether the user is viewing a standard page or a simplified "bare" page layout. The developer needs to configure a label component that changes its text accordingly. Additionally, the developer wants to display the total number of active intake requests submitted that day.

    Problem

    The developer is not familiar with UI Builder’s formula syntax. Writing expressions like IF(@context.props.bare,"bare page","not bare page") or LEN([list]) requires memorizing the exact syntax, which slows down development and increases the risk of errors. Every time the developer encounters a new binding requirement, they have to look up documentation or ask a colleague.

    Solution

    With Data binding generation, the developer describes what they need in plain language directly in the Formula Builder. ServiceNow Otto converts the natural language input into the correct formula or data binding syntax automatically. The developer reviews the generated syntax, accepts it, and applies it to the component property in one streamlined flow — without writing a single line of formula code manually.

    Before you begin

    Make sure that you install UI generation and that you have the ui_builder_admin role. For more information, see Install UI generation and Grant UI Builder admin role.

    Configuration steps

    Perform the following steps to use Data binding generation:
    1. Navigate to All > Now Experience Framework > UI Builder.
    2. Navigate to the patient intake experience.
    3. Open the page variant in the Page Editor.
    4. Select the label component and open the Data binding popover.
    5. Select Get started.
    6. Enter the prompt: If the page is bare, show ‘Simplified View’; otherwise, show ‘Standard View’.
      Tip:
      Refer to the examples in the Data Binding popover to understand which types of natural language prompts are most effective. Prompts that clearly describe the condition and possible outcomes typically yield the most accurate results.
    7. Select the arrow to generate the binding.

      ServiceNow Otto generates: IF(@context.props.bare,"Simplified View","Standard View").

    8. Review the syntax, select Accept and Edit, then select Apply.
    9. Enter a prompt to request count label: Enter how many active intake requests are there today?

      ServiceNow Otto generates: LEN([@data.activeIntakeRequests]).

    10. Preview and test the page to confirm both bindings render correctly.

    Outcome

    The developer sets up a dynamic binding quickly, without referring to the documentation. This eliminates syntax errors, enabling the developer to focus on experience design rather than writing formulas.