Record screen

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 4 minutes to read
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    Summary of Record screen

    Record screens in ServiceNow display the content of a single record and can be configured to allow users to view, edit, and take actions. These screens support top menu functions, footer functions, and smart buttons, enhancing user interaction. A details screen is created by default when a record screen is set up, and additional screen segments can be added as needed to tailor the user experience.

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    Record Screen Configuration

    Using Mobile App Builder, ServiceNow customers can configure the content and appearance of record screens. Key configurable fields include:

    • Name: The visible screen name shown to end users.
    • Description: An internal description not visible to users.
    • Settings: Options like fetch type to control data loading performance, dynamic pre-fetch count, and visibility of the screen name.
    • View Using: Choose between legacy or current card layouts for the header section, customizable via Mobile Card Builder.
    • Icon: Defines the icon shown in the launcher screen header.
    • Alert: Configure mobile alert overlays to notify users and redirect them to specific screens.
    • Data Item: Specifies the data source table and any conditions for displaying data. This is optional when embedding record screens.

    Record Screen Segments

    Within a record screen, customers can embed various segment types to enrich the displayed information and functionality. There are five main embedded segment types:

    • Activity Stream Segment: Displays work notes, comments, and attachments, with configurable visibility options.
    • Details Screen Segment: Shows specific fields from the record, mirroring configured item views for detailed insights.
    • Embedded Browser Segment: Embeds external content from URLs, such as related knowledge articles, directly within the screen.
    • Embedded List Segment: Provides immediate access to a related list as an embedded tab, improving navigation efficiency.
    • Related List Segment: Displays related lists with tappable names allowing users to view associated records.

    Additionally, a sections screen segment can be added to present UI sections in a card format, enabling users to trigger actions without navigating away.

    Advanced Features

    • Dynamic Record Screen Segments: Show subsets of relevant records linked to elements near the top of the screen, offering contextual data views.
    • Top Menu Functions: Associate application functions to specific locations for streamlined user access.
    • UI Parameters: Use variables or placeholders to dynamically query database or user input within data or action items.
    • Dynamic Screen Name: Inherit screen names dynamically from fields in previous records for contextual labeling.
    • Role Access: Restrict user access to record screens based on roles to maintain security and relevance.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging record screens and their configurable segments, ServiceNow customers can:

    • Deliver tailored, single-record views optimized for mobile and desktop experiences.
    • Improve user efficiency by embedding related data and actions directly within record contexts.
    • Enhance performance and usability through fetch type settings and dynamic content loading.
    • Control access and presentation to meet organizational security and branding requirements.

    Record screens display content for a specific single record.

    Use record screens to display the content of a single record. You can configure functions on record screens to allow users to make edits and take actions. Record screens support top menu functions, footer functions, and smart buttons.

    When a record screen is created, a details screen is configured by default. Add any of the five additional screen segment types listed below as needed.

    Within a record screen, you can control the embedded screen segments. There are five types of embedded screen segments available for use when configuring a record screen through Mobile App Builder.

    Record screen configuration

    Use the record configuration screen in Mobile App Builder to control the content and appearance of your record screen.

    Figure 1. The configuration screen for record screens in Mobile App Builder
    Mobile App Builder Record Screen.

    Record screen fields

    The record screen configuration form in Mobile App Builder contains the following fields.

    Name
    The screen name for the record header. This name is visible to the end users.
    Description
    Description of the record screen. This name is not visible to end users.
    Settings
    • Fetch Type: Controls when the data is loaded onto the screen. Change your fetch type to optimize load time performance.
    • Dynamic Pre-Fetch Count: Defines when you select a fetch type of Dynamic.
    • Hide Screen Name: Hides or shows the screen name in the Record screen.
    View Using (Legacy Card / Card)
    A card used for the header section of the record screen. Use Mobile Card Builder to change the appearance of your mobile card or the fields displayed on the card. For more information about using Mobile Card Builder, see Customize a screen using Mobile Card Builder.
    Icon
    Icon that appears in the header of the launcher screen.
    Alert
    You can configure a mobile alert overlay for a record screen to inform users of an important message and to redirect them to a specific screen. For more information about configuring an alert, see Configure a mobile alert for a record screen.
    Data item

    The data item defines what table you want data from and what conditions must be met for the data to be displayed. You can select an existing data item or create a new one.

    Data items are not required when a record screen is used as an embedded screen on a list item config.

    Record screen segments
    • Record screen segment: Within a record screen, you can control the embedded screen segments. There are five types of embedded record screen segments you can use when configuring a record screen. These record screen segments are listed in the following section.
    • Dynamic record screen segment: Dynamic segments in a record screen enable users to see a subset of relevant records rather than a whole list of records. Use dynamic segments to create a link between selected elements near the top of the screen and the content displayed below.
    Top menu function
    For each function you create for an application, you must associate it with a specific location. For more information, see Associate a function with a location in the app.
    UI parameters
    Parameters are a way of creating a variable or a placeholder for input from an end user or from the database. The variable then queries the database or the user for more information. You can add parameters to a data item or an action item.
    Dynamic screen name
    Dynamically inherit a name from a field in a previous record.
    Role access
    Limit user access to the record screen.

    Record screen segments

    Activity stream screen segment

    Use an activity stream screen to display work notes, comments, and/or attachments for the record. Your users can configure whether all three of these are visible, or only a select few are visible.

    To configure an activity stream screen segment, see Configure an activity stream screen for a record screen.
    Activity stream segment on a form screen.

    Details screen segment

    Use a details screen to display specific screen fields from the record. On a record screen, you can see the same item view/pattern that was configured for the list item. Embed a details screen in your record screen when you want to display more info about the record.

    For more information on detail screens, see Configure a details screen for a record screen.
    Details segment on a form screen.

    Embedded browser screen segment

    Use an embedded browser screen to display content from a URL within a browser section. An embedded browser can display information such as related knowledge articles within your forms.

    For more information on embedded browser screens see Configure an embedded browser screen for a record screen.
    Embedded browser segment on a form screen.

    Embedded list screen segment

    Use an embedded list screen to display a related list as an embedded tab within a record screen. An embedded list can provide a user immediate access to a single related list without the extra tap when using the related list screen.

    To configure an embedded list screen segment, see Embedded lists for a record screen.
    Embedded list segment on a form screen.

    Related list screen segment

    Use a related list screen to display related lists for the record. Each related list you configure appears in this related list screen. Your users can see the name of the list and tap to see the records within that list.

    To configure a related list screen segment, see Configure a related list screen for a record screen.
    Related list segment on a form screen.

    Sections screen segment

    Enrich your record screen with the addition of item UI sections displayed in a card format. This capability presents content and users can trigger actions without the need to navigate to an additional list screen.

    To configure a sections screen segment, see Configure a record UI section for a record screen.