---
sourceDocument: Australia API Reference
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/api-reference

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia API Reference

ft:clusterId :

    - crapiref

bundleId :

    - crapiref

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Action parameters

# Action parameters {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
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## Summary of Action Parameters

Action parameters are distinct from data parameters, serving to define the actions taken during HTTP GET or POST requests.
These parameters can be included in the JSON object, triggering specific actions or filtering results based on the type of request.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

The primary action parameters include:

* **sysparmaction:** Defines the action to be performed. Valid actions include:
  * **getKeys:** Returns a list of sysid values from a targeted table.
  * **getRecords:** Retrieves all matching records and their fields from a targeted table.
  * **get:** Fetches a single record by sysid.
  * **insert:** Creates new records in the targeted table.
  * **insertMultiple:** Inserts multiple new records.
  * **update:** Modifies existing records based on an encoded query.
  * **deleteRecord:** Deletes a specified record by sysid.
  * **deleteMultiple:** Removes multiple records based on a query.
* **sysparmquery:** Supplies an encoded query string for various actions.
* **sysparmview:** Customizes return values by specifying a form view.
* **sysparmsysid:** Targets a specific sysid for get or delete actions.
* **sysparmrecordcount:** Limits the number of records returned, capped by the system property.
* **displayvalue:** Controls the display of reference field values, with options for showing sysids or display values.
* **displayvariables:** Retrieves all variables attached to a record when set to true.

## Key Outcomes

By utilizing action parameters effectively, ServiceNow customers can perform precise data retrieval and modification actions, enhancing the efficiency of their API interactions. Understanding these parameters allows for streamlined operations and improved data management within ServiceNow applications.  
Action parameters are separate and different from data parameters because they specify
the action to take when the JSON object parameter is part of an HTTP GET or POST
request.

The parameters can also be specified as a field in the supplied JSON object. They have the
effect of triggering an action in the case of `sysparm_action`, or filtering the
results of an update or query in the case of `sysparm_query`.

## sysparm_action

The following are the valid values for `sysparm_action` and the corresponding action triggered by the API.{#c_ActionParameters__table_ess_ybj_bp__entry__2}

| Method Summary | Description |
|-|-|
| getKeys | Query the targeted table using an encoded query string and return a comma delimited list of `sys_id` values. |
| getRecords | Query the targeted table using an encoded query string and return all matching records and their fields. |
| get | Query a single record from the targeted table by specifying the `sys_id` in the `sysparm_sys_id` URL parameter, and return the record and its fields. |
[Table 1. Data Retrieval]

{#c_ActionParameters__table_ess_ybj_bp} {#c_ActionParameters__table_jtf_3cj_bp__entry__2}

| Method Summary | Description |
|-|-|
| insert | Create one or more new records for the table targeted in the URL. |
| insertMultiple | Create multiple new records for the table targeted in the URL. |
| update | Update existing records in the targeted table in the URL, filtered by an encoded query string. |
| deleteRecord | Delete a record from the table targeted in the URL by specifying its `sys_id` in the `sysparm_sys_id` URL parameter. |
| deleteMultiple | Delete multiple records from the table targeted in the URL, filtered by an encoded query string. |
[Table 2. Data Modification]

{#c_ActionParameters__table_jtf_3cj_bp}

## sysparm_query

Specify an encoded query string to be used in get, getRecords, update or
deleteMultiplesysparm_action value.

## sysparm_view

Specify a form view to customize the return values for get and getRecords function calls. When
using a view, the query returns only the fields defined in the view, including referenced
values. If there is no view name, or if the view name is not valid, then the query returns
all field names that are marked active in the dictionary.

## sysparm_sys_id

Specify a target sys_id during a get or delete function call (`sysparm_action`
value).

## sysparm_record_count

Specify an integer value to limit the number of records retrieved for this request. Note that
this value is capped by the glide.processor.json.row_limit system
property.

## displayvalue

Get the display value of a reference field, if any are in the record. For example, the
Incident record can have an `assigned_to` field that is a reference to a user
record. Instead of sending the sys_id of the user record, the user name is sent.  
The displayvalue parameter can have three values: true, false, or all.

* true: All the references fields show the display value instead of `sys_id`.
* false (default): All reference fields show `sys_ids`.
* all: The display value and the `sys_id` are shown. For example, the assignedto field in the Incident record is sent back as assigned_to:1234556, dv_assigned_to:Fred Luddy.
{#c_ActionParameters__ul_unp_vdj_bp}

## displayvariables

Set this boolean value to true during a get or getRecords function call
to retrieve all variables attached to this record.