Useful attachment scripts

Release version: Zurich

Updated July 31, 2025

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Summary of Useful Attachment Scripts

This guide provides practical scripts for managing attachments within ServiceNow instances. These scripts enable customers to automate common attachment-related tasks such as copying attachments between records, deleting duplicates, displaying attachment indicators in task lists, embedding attachment links in email notifications, and logging attachment downloads. Note that these scripts are customizations developed for specific scenarios and are not officially supported by Now Support. Thorough testing in your environment is recommended before implementation.

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Attachment Management Scripts

Copy Attachments: Use GlideSysAttachment.copy to copy all attachments from one record to another. This copies every attachment without filtering for specific files.
Delete Duplicate Attachments: A script can identify and delete duplicate attachments based on table and file name by querying the sysattachment table, useful for cleanup in scheduled jobs or business rules.
Display Attachment Presence in List View: Implement a business rule that updates a custom field uhasattachments on task records to indicate whether attachments exist. This requires running the rule after attachment insertions or deletions and prevents triggering unnecessary updates or notifications.

Email and Logging Enhancements

Include Attachment Links in Email Notifications: Use a script in email templates to dynamically generate clickable links to attachments associated with a record by querying the sysattachment table. Remember to replace the instance name placeholder with your actual instance URL.
Attachment Download Logging: Attachment downloads trigger attachment.read events that can be captured via Script Actions or Email Notifications. This feature allows tracking who accessed attachments and when, aiding in auditing and security monitoring.

Practical Considerations

These scripts empower ServiceNow customers to enhance attachment handling and visibility with automation and customization tailored to their workflows. Customers should ensure they have the necessary custom fields (e.g., uhasattachments) and schedule business rules appropriately. Since these scripts are provided "as-is," thorough testing and validation in non-production environments are critical to avoid unintended impacts.

This is a searchable version of the Useful Attachment Scripts.

Warning:

The customization described here was developed for use in specific instances, and is not supported by Now Support. This method is provided as-is and should be tested thoroughly before implementation. Post all questions and comments regarding this customization to our community forum.

Copy attachments from record to record

Use the following script to copy an attachment from one record to another record:

GlideSysAttachment.copy('sourcetable','sys_id','destinationtable','sys_id');

Note:

GlideSysAttachment.copy copies all attachments; it cannot select specific attachments.

Delete duplicate attachments

Use the following script in a business rule, scheduled job, or background script to delete duplicate attachments located in the Attachments [sys_attachment] table:

function fixDuplicateImages(){
  var now_GR = new GlideRecord('sys_attachment');
  now_GR.addQuery('table_name','LIKE','ZZ_YY%');
  now_GR.orderBy('table_sys_id');
  now_GR.orderByDesc('sys_created_on');
  now_GR.query();
  var lastID ='not_a_match';
  var lastFile ='not_a_match';
  while(now_GR.next()){
    var isDuplicate = (lastID == now_GR.table_sys_id)&&(lastFile == now_GR.file_name);
    lastID = now_GR.table_sys_id;
    lastFile = now_GR.file_name;
    gs.print(now_GR.table_sys_id + ' ' + now_GR.table_name + ' ' + now_GR.file_name + ' ' + now_GR.sys_created_on + ' ' + isDuplicate);
    if(isDuplicate)
      now_GR.deleteRecord();
  }
}

Display whether tasks have attachments in list view

Use the following script in a business rule to display whether tasks have attachments when viewed in the record list view. Note that the script needs a custom field on the Has Attachments [u_has_attachments] table.

checkAttachment();
 
function checkAttachment(){
  // if inserting then the task has an attachment
  if(current.operation()=='insert') {
    hasAttachment('true'); // if deleting attachment check for other attachments
    if(current.operation()=='delete') {
      var timeNow3 =new GlideDateTime();
      gs.log('has_attachment br: gliderecord query start date time is: '+ timeNow3.getNumericValue(),'jwtest');
      var attachCount = new GlideAggregate('sys_attachment');
      attachCount.addQuery('table_sys_id',current.sys_id);
      attachCount.addAggregate('COUNT');
      attachCount.query();
      var numAttachments ='0'; 

      // if no other attachments task does not have attachment
      if(attachCount.next()){
        numAttachments = attachCount.getAggregate("COUNT");
        if(numAttachments >0){
          hasAttachment ='true';
        } else {
          hasAttachment('false');
        }
        var timeNow4=new GlideDateTime();
        gs.log('has_attachment br: gliderecord query start date time is: '+ timeNow4.getNumericValue(),'jwtest');
      }
 
function hasAttachment(answer){
  var task = new GlideRecord('task');
  task.addQuery('sys_id',current.table_sys_id);
  task.query();
 
  if(task.next()){
    task.u_has_attachment= answer;
    task.autoSysFields(false);  //Don't set the lastUpdatedTime or the Simultaneous Update Alert will likely get triggered
    task.setWorkflow(false);  //Don't allow other business rules to run, otherwise multiple notifications will likely be sent
    task.update();
  }
}

Note:

Schedule the business rule to run after insert/delete.

Link to attachments in an email notification

Use the following script in an email notification or template to include links to attachments:


printattachments(); 
 
function printattachments(){
  var now_GR =new GlideRecord('sys_attachment');
  now_GR.addQuery('table_sys_id',current.sys_id);
  now_GR.query();
  while(now_GR.next()){
    template.print('Attachment: <a href="http://'+gs.getProperty("instance_name")+'.service-now.com/sys_attachment.do?sys_id='+ now_GR.sys_id+'">'+ now_GR.file_name+'</a>');
  }
}

Note:

Replace "instance_name" with your instance name.

Attachment Logging

Whenever a user downloads an attachment, the action writes an attachment.read event record to the event log. If desired, you can process these events with a Script Action or an Email Notification. This can be useful if you want to do something when an attachment is read. For example, you can record when and by whom certain attachments are downloaded. For this functionality, the current variable must point to a sys_attachment record, and the event record must use the following parameters:

parm1: File name
parm2: Table name