--- sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/application-development Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Build or modify applications ft:clusterId : - cadev bundleId : - cadev workflow : - Development, Data, and Analytics --- # Field configuration in Table Builder # Field configuration in Table Builder {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 6 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Field configuration in Table Builder Field configuration in Table Builder enables ServiceNow customers to define and customize the basic properties of fields within their tables using an intuitive form editor. This configuration impacts how fields behave and appear to form users, including field types, default values, dependencies, and display options. Show full answer Show less ## Field Details Customers can configure essential field properties such as: * **Label:** The display name for the field on forms. * **Active:** Controls whether the field is visible and usable by form users. * **Read only:** Defines if a field is editable or strictly read-only, with options for display behavior. * **Mandatory:** Requires users to enter data before saving the form. * **Label properties:** Includes tooltip text, plural forms, and URL links associated with the field label. ## Default Value Configuration Fields can have default values that pre-populate the form when creating new records, enhancing data consistency and user efficiency. Default values can be: * Static constants (strings or numbers). * Dynamic, based on other fields or scripted logic. ## Advanced Field Features * **Function Fields:** Allow calculated values based on expressions involving other fields and constants. * **Reference Fields:** Enable linking to records in other tables with qualifiers to restrict selectable records via simple, advanced, or dynamic conditional expressions. * **Dependent Fields:** Support conditional choice lists where the available options depend on another field's value. ## Choice List Configuration Choice fields provide predefined selectable options for users. Customers can: * Define and edit choice labels and values. * Set choices as active or inactive. * Use choices from another field to replicate options. * Control display styles such as dropdowns, dropdowns with a "--None--" option, or suggestion lists. * Filter visible choices, including inactive ones. ## Attributes and Formulas * **Attributes:** Dictionary attributes can be added or modified to alter field or table behavior as defined by dictionary records. * **Formulas:** Enable calculation of column values without scripting by using predefined or combined formula functions within an editor interface. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers Using Table Builder's field configuration capabilities allows customers to create tailored data entry experiences that enforce data integrity, streamline user input, and present relevant information efficiently. The flexible configuration options support complex business logic, dynamic filtering, and calculated fields directly within the table schema, reducing the need for custom scripting and simplifying maintenance. You can configure the basic field properties for any field within Table Builder. ## Field details {#field-parameters__section_t25_rdb_fsb} The Field details section lets you configure the basic field elements for the selected field in the form editor. To see field type descriptions and learn more about what field types you can use, see [Field types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=r_FieldTypes&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). To understand the basic field properties and learn more about adding and customizing a field in a table, see [Add and customize a field in a table](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_CreatingNewFields&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). The following table shows field descriptions for the Field details section.{#field-parameters__table_dwm_l2b_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Label | Name of the field that is displayed for form users. | | Active | Option that you can select to make a field active so that form users can view it. Deselecting Active inactivates a field. When Active is not selected, the field will not display in the form editor. To reactivate a field, hover to the left of the field column in the Data tab and select the Open side panel icon \[![Open side panel icon.]()\]. Select Active and save changes. | | (Deprecated). Read only | Option that you can select so that the field is not editable by the form users. | | Read only option | Read-only behavior is controlled by the new read_only_option choice field, which lets you choose between Display Read Only or Strict Read Only. | | Mandatory | Option that you can select so that the data that your users enter in the field is required before they can save their changes to the form. | | Configure Label details menu ( ![Configure label details.]()) | Properties for a field label: * Tooltip property that is displayed when a user points to the field. * Plural property that indicates if multiple instances of a field exist, your user should enter the plural form of the label (for example, the plural of cat is cats) * URL property that indicates if the field label links to some other location, your user should enter the URL here. {#field-parameters__ul_p1n_l2x_fsb} | [Table 1. Field details] {#field-parameters__table_dwm_l2b_fsb} ## Default value {#field-parameters__section_ll2_rdb_fsb} The default value automatically fills in the field on the empty form for a record. If the field is empty when the user submits the record, the default value fills it in. Specify default values as a constant or use a script to generate them. To learn how to define a default value for the fields, see [Specify a default field value](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_SpecifyingADefaultValue&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). The following table shows field descriptions for the Default value section.{#field-parameters__table_psk_42b_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Use dynamic default | Property that displays the Dynamic default value field where you can set the default value that is displayed for the field. | | Default value | String or number that represents the default value of the field. | | Dynamic default value | Keywords that can be entered in the search field. Your user can then select a field that contains the desired default value for the field. | [Table 2. Default value] {#field-parameters__table_psk_42b_fsb} ## Function definition {#field-parameters__section_znz_2w5_hsb} A function field generates a value that is based on the simple computations of other fields and constants. This section is displayed in the editor when you are creating a field and you select Function field in the Advanced properties section. For information on defining function fields, see [Function field](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=platform-support-functions&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). The following table shows field descriptions for the Function definition section.{#field-parameters__table_ihp_2w5_hsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Function Definition | Function expression that generates the desired value for the field. | [Table 3. Function definition] {#field-parameters__table_ihp_2w5_hsb} ## Reference {#field-parameters__section_j3q_rdb_fsb} A reference qualifier restricts the records that are available for reference fields. For information on defining reference fields, see [Reference field type](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ReferenceField&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). The following table shows field descriptions for the Reference section.{#field-parameters__table_frs_n2b_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Reference | Data table that the selected field references. | | Use reference qualifier | Qualifier options: * Simple option that enables your users to build a simple conditional expression. Your user can select the Edit Conditions button below the Reference qualifier field. * Advanced option that enables your user to build an advanced conditional expression by using the Reference qualifier field. The advanced reference qualifiers enable your user to define an inline encrypted query string or JavaScript (actual code or the name of an existing script include or business rule) filter in the Reference qualifier field. * Dynamic option that enables your users to build a conditional expression for the selected reference field by using the Reference qualifier field. Dynamic reference qualifiers enable your users to use a dynamic filter to run a query against a reference field to filter the returned data set. {#field-parameters__ul_k14_wvn_hsb} | | Reference qualifier | Referenced qualifier that is based on your user's selection for the Use reference qualifier field. | | Edit conditions | Hyperlink to launch a pop-up window where your user can enter a simple conditional expression for the Reference qualifier field. | [Table 4. Reference fields] {#field-parameters__table_frs_n2b_fsb} ## Dependent field {#field-parameters__section_msz_qdb_fsb} A choice or reference field can be declared dependent on another field on the same table. Dependent fields limit their available values based on the value in the dependent field. Using dependent fields turns on choices. The available choices for your field rely on the value that a user chooses for the dependent field. For information on defining field dependencies, see [Make a field dependent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_MakingAFieldDependent&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). The following table shows field descriptions for the Dependent fields section.{#field-parameters__table_xz2_p2b_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Use dependent field | Field dependency that you can activate for the selected field. | | Select dependent field | List where you select a different field on the form that can then be used to control which choices that are displayed to users in the form field you are configuring. | [Table 5. Dependent fields] {#field-parameters__table_xz2_p2b_fsb} ## Choices {#field-parameters__section_x5z_5db_fsb} A choice list is a type of field that lets the user select from a pre-defined set of choices. You can define the available choices and customize the behavior and appearance of your choice lists. For information about the choice list configuration, see [Choice list field type](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ChoiceLists&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). In the Choices section of the Config panel, select Use choices, and then select Edit or the +Add icon to customize the available choices for the selected field. The following table shows field descriptions in the Choices section.{#field-parameters__table_l3b_jdx_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Label | Text that is displayed to your users for the choice in the list. | | Value | Value for the choice field. | | Dependent value | Value that you map in the selected Dependent field to the entered choice. | | Domain | Domain that the choice resides in. | | Active | Option to display the choice as a selection. Inactive choices do not display for users. | | Options | Option that enables you to select Use the choices from another field to duplicate the displayed choices for this field from the choices in another selected field. | | Show choices as | Options that control how a list of choices displays for users of your form. * Dropdown option. You must set a default value for the field. Note: If no default is set, then None automatically becomes the default value and is shown in the choice list to users. * Dropdown with --None-- choice option. None becomes the default value. * Suggestions (Core UI only) option. Choices are displayed as suggestions. {#field-parameters__ul_f2k_xq4_hsb} | | Filter | Option to filter the choice list. Select Show inactive choices to view all choices (including inactive ones). | [Table 6. Choice properties] {#field-parameters__table_l3b_jdx_fsb} ## Attributes {#field-parameters__section_szh_wdb_fsb} A dictionary attribute alters the behavior of the table or element that the dictionary record describes. You can add or modify the dictionary attributes. For information about dictionary attributes, see [Dictionary attributes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_DictionaryAttributes&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). In the Attributes section of the Config panel, select Edit or +Add to customize the available attributes for the selected field. The following table shows field descriptions for the Attributes section.{#field-parameters__table_bf2_q2b_fsb__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Attribute | Option list of available attributes. Select an option from the list of available attributes. To review the list of available attributes, see [Dictionary attributes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_DictionaryAttributes&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). | | Value | Attribute value that you can set to alter the field behavior that is described by the dictionary record. | [Table 7. Attribute properties] {#field-parameters__table_bf2_q2b_fsb} ## Formula {#field-parameters__section_plh_cmr_25b} A formula allows you to calculate the value of a column without writing a script. You can use one of the predefined formulas or combine two are more formulas to calculate the column value. For information on the predefined formulas and examples, see [Formulas](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/7yqmwrvrDuLe9TX8B_ySsA#formulas-columns-table-builder "You can use a predefined function and create a formula to calculate the value of a column without writing a script. Use a predefined function or create a nested formula by using the existing predefined functions to calculate the column value type."). In the Formula section, select Edit or + Add to edit or add a formula. {#field-parameters__table_vkg_dnr_25b__entry__2} | Field | Description | |-|-| | Formula editor | A text-editor like interface that allows you to enter and edit formulas. | [Table 8. Formula properties] {#field-parameters__table_vkg_dnr_25b} * **[Formulas for column values in Table Builder](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/7yqmwrvrDuLe9TX8B_ySsA#formulas-columns-table-builder)** You can use a predefined function and create a formula to calculate the value of a column without writing a script. Use a predefined function or create a nested formula by using the existing predefined functions to calculate the column value type. * **[Add a formula to a column in Table Builder](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/_1EIId~n7v3X_0G4y2MUVw)** Use a predefined function or create a formula to calculate a value for a column without writing a script in Table Builder. You can use two or more functions to create a formula according to your requirements.