---
sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/build-workflows

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Utilities

# Utilities transform functions {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 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 Utilities Transform Functions

Utilities transform functions enable you to manipulate data by returning complex objects from arrays or retrieving values associated with specific keys.
These functions require inputs such as Arrays, Name-Value Pairs, Strings, Integers, or Choices, and using the correct input type is essential for the functions to work correctly.
If an improper data type is used, the input will be returned without transformation.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Get First Item from Array:** Retrieves the first complex object from an input array.
* **Get Item from Array:** Returns a complex object from a specified index (Nth item) in the array.
* **Get Item from Name/Values:** Fetches a value associated with a specified key from Name-Value Pairs, with an option for a default value.
* **Get Last Item from Array:** Returns the last complex object from the input array.
* **Is Blank:** Checks if the input is blank; returns true for empty strings, zero integers, and false Booleans.
* **Is False:** Evaluates if the input is false, considering empty strings, zero integers, and false Booleans.
* **Is Not Blank:** Determines if the input is not blank.
* **Is Null:** Validates if the input value is null.
* **Is True:** Confirms if the input is true.
* **Key Value Map:** Retrieves a value based on a matching key, with a default option if no match is found.
* **Sort:** Sorts an array in ascending or descending order, case-sensitive for strings.
* **Unique:** Removes duplicate elements from an array.
* **Join:** Concatenates array elements into a single string using a specified delimiter.

## Key Outcomes

By utilizing these utilities transform functions, ServiceNow customers can efficiently manage and manipulate data within their workflows. This allows for improved data handling, enhanced decision-making processes, and streamlined automation of tasks, ultimately leading to greater efficiency in operations.  
Use utilities transform functions to return a Complex Object from an Array, or a value
associated with a specific key.
Utilities transform functions require an Array, Name-Value Pair, String, Integer, or Choice
input data pill. Make sure to use the correct input [data pill type](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Ct3dsJ0IiWIcbamXVRVy2g "Actions and subflows use variables to store input and output data. The variable data type determines what kind of data it stores and its advanced configuration options.") when applying utilities transform functions. If a utility
transform function is applied to an improper data type, the data is not transformed at
runtime and the input value is returned instead. For more information on confirming your
flow runtime values, see [Test a flow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/16GAKmUMqo2akmwgAuG1TA "Before activating a flow so other users can access it, test to make certain it works the way you expect.").

## Get First Item from Array {#utilities-transform-functions__section_o45_hr4_mpb}

Returns the first item from the input array as a complex object.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_ldp_nr4_mpb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Array | Complex Object - First item found in the input array |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_ldp_nr4_mpb}

## Get Item from Array {#utilities-transform-functions__section_gzk_jvz_jjb}

Returns a Complex Object from the input Array. Enter a value for the Nth Item in the input Array that you want to return. The Nth Item represents the Array index, starting at 0.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_psj_ddn_mkb__entry__3}

| Input data pill | Parameters | Output data pill |
|-|-|-|
| Array | Nth Item - Enter the index of the target object in the input Array. The Array index starts at 0. | Complex Object |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_psj_ddn_mkb}

## Get Item from Name/Values {#utilities-transform-functions__section_ljc_xdn_mkb}

Returns a value that is associated with a matching key from a map of Name-Value Pairs.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_mjc_xdn_mkb__entry__3}

| Input data pill | Parameters | Output data pill |
|-|-|-|
| Name-Value Pairs | * Key - Name of the key that is used to look up its corresponding value * Default - The value returned when there is no matching key {#utilities-transform-functions__ul_njc_xdn_mkb} | String associated with the matching key |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_mjc_xdn_mkb}  
Note:  
When applying the Get Item from Name/Values transform function, consider that the runtime value might be the system value, not the display value. For example, if mapping the Priority field in the Incident table to a similar field in a remote table, the returned runtime value might be 2, not 2 - High.  
Example usage:

* Input: `"username":"abel.tuter"`
* Key: `username`
* Default: `example.username`
* Output: `abel.tuter`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_ojc_xdn_mkb}

In this example, an action makes a REST call to a third-party system and GETs ticket data as a map of Name-Value Pairs. A Ticket ID is provided as an output for this action. The Get Item from Name/Values transform function
returns either the value that is associated with the `ticket_id` key or `Ticket ID not found`.

## Get Last Item from Array {#utilities-transform-functions__section_gjx_3r4_mpb}

Returns the last item from the input array as a complex object.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_ln2_xr4_mpb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Array | Complex Object - Last item found in the input array |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_ln2_xr4_mpb}

## Is Blank {#utilities-transform-functions__section_ttk_fqd_qnb}

Returns true when the input is blank. A string input is blank when it is an empty string. An integer input is blank when it is zero. A Boolean input is blank when it is false.  
Note:  
This transform function doesn't support reference inputs.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_zg3_lqd_qnb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output |
|-|-|
| Any | Returns true or false |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_zg3_lqd_qnb}  
Example usage:

* Input: an integer data pill with `0`
* Output: `true`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_rp1_4qd_qnb}

## Is False {#utilities-transform-functions__section_gx5_jr4_mpb}

Returns true when the input is false. A string is false when it is an empty string. An integer is false when it is zero. A Boolean input is false when it is false.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_qjg_c54_mpb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Any | Returns true or false |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_qjg_c54_mpb}  
Example usage:

* Input: an integer data pill with `13`
* Output: `false`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_sjg_c54_mpb}

## Is Not Blank {#utilities-transform-functions__section_kxk_kr4_mpb}

Returns true when the input is not blank. A string is not blank when it is not an empty string. An integer is not blank when it is anything but zero. A Boolean input is not blank when it is true.  
Note:  
This transform function doesn't support reference inputs.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_n4k_js4_mpb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Any | Returns true or false |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_n4k_js4_mpb}  
Example usage:

* Input: an integer data pill with `13`
* Output: `true`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_u35_ms4_mpb}

## Is Null {#utilities-transform-functions__section_k3b_gqd_qnb}

Returns true when the input value is null. An input is null if it is
not initialized, or if it is a null object or reference.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_wrn_rqd_qnb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output |
|-|-|
| Any | Returns true or false |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_wrn_rqd_qnb}  
Example usage:

* Input: an integer data pill with `725`
* Output: `false`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_t1k_tqd_qnb}

## Is True {#utilities-transform-functions__section_krb_lr4_mpb}

Returns true when the input is true. A string is true when it is not
an empty string. An integer is true when it is anything but zero. A Boolean input is true
when it is true.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_amb_wt4_mpb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Any | Returns true or false |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_amb_wt4_mpb}  
Example usage:

* Input: an integer data pill with `13`
* Output: `true`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_m55_yt4_mpb}

## Key Value Map {#utilities-transform-functions__section_irr_r4g_ykb}

Returns a value associated with a matching key, or a default value if there is not a
match.  
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_qqy_yqg_ykb__entry__3}

| Input data pill | Parameters | Output data pill |
|-|-|-|
| String or Integer | * Name - The key that is used to find the corresponding value * Value - The value matched to a specific key * Default - The value returned when there is no matching name {#utilities-transform-functions__ul_pw3_psg_ykb} | String associated with the matching key |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_qqy_yqg_ykb}

Example usage:

In this example, a log action stores a record's priority as a message. In the Name-Values section, each priority is mapped to a corresponding string value. When the flow runs, the record's priority number is transformed to a
string, and the string is logged to a message.

## Sort {#utilities-transform-functions__section_sgj_wvj_hrb}

Sorts the specified array in ascending or descending order.
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_y4r_fwj_hrb__entry__3}

| Input data pill | Parameters | Output data pill |
|-|-|-|
| Array.String, Array.Integer, Array.Boolean, or Array.Datetime. - Unsorted array | Sort Order - Ascending or descending | Array - Sorted array |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_y4r_fwj_hrb}  
Note:  
Sort function is case-sensitive for array.strings.
Example usage:

* Input: `[7, 2, 3, 1, 7, 9]`
* Parameter: Ascending
* Output: `[1, 2, 3, 7, 7, 9]`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_rx1_xwj_hrb}

## Unique {#utilities-transform-functions__section_wkn_f1k_hrb}

Removes the duplicate elements from the specified array.{#utilities-transform-functions__table_lww_m1k_hrb__entry__2}

| Input data pill | Output data pill |
|-|-|
| Array.String, Array.Integer, Array.Boolean, or Array.Datetime. | Array - After duplicated elements are removed |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_lww_m1k_hrb}
Example usage:

* Input: `[7, 2, 3, 2, 7, 9]`
* Output: `[7, 2, 3, 9]`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_uhx_w1k_hrb}

## Join {#utilities-transform-functions__section_ns2_4bk_hrb}

Concatenates the individual elements of the specified array with the specified delimiter and returns the concatenated string.
{#utilities-transform-functions__table_zyq_rbk_hrb__entry__3}

| Input data pill | Parameters | Output data pill |
|-|-|-|
| Array.String, Array.Integer, Array.Boolean, or Array.Datetime. | Delimiter - Character that separates the individual elements after concatenation. | String - String after a delimiter is added. |
[ ]

{#utilities-transform-functions__table_zyq_rbk_hrb}Example usage:

* Input: `[1, 2, 3]`
* Parameters: `<`
* Output: `1<2<3`
{#utilities-transform-functions__ul_hqh_3ck_hrb}