---
sourceDocument: Australia Mobile Configuration and Navigation
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/mobile
Release :
- australia
ft:locale :
- en-US
ft:publication_title :
- Australia Mobile Configuration and Navigation
ft:clusterId :
- mobile
bundleId :
- mobile
workflow :
- Development, Data and Analytics
---
# Configure input form screen actions
# Configure input form screen actions {#ariaid-title1}
* Release version: Australia
*
* Updated March 12, 2026
*
*  4 minutes to read
Learn how to configure actions that affect the whole input form screen. These actions can be accessed with an icon or within a more menu button, located in the top menu bar. For example, you can configure a writeback action
to save your work progress on the input form.
## Before you begin
Role required: admin
A loading mechanism is required to refresh the input form screen with updated data. The options available are autofill variables and data sources. For more information, see [Loading mechanisms for input form screens](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/CLuLn3FoPDfq7HDUqlN~Dg "The input form screen contains various UI elements, such as inputs, input actions, and descriptive elements. These elements can be populated either manually by the user or automatically using data sources and autofill variables.").
If your input form only includes input values for loading, and you don't need to load an input type of attachment, then the autofill variable option is sufficient. If your input form includes either attachments, comments, or
descriptive elements, the data source option must be used. The data source option also handles input values.
## About this task
Input form screen actions are accessed in the top menu as either an icon (![More menu icon.]()) or within the more menu button options ( ![More menu button.]()). The configuration of the writeback action in this task explains how to create a function that enables users to save the progress of data entered in an input form screen before users submit the final version. This feature enables multiple users to collaborate on a single input form screen. Once a user saves the data, it becomes visible to all other users working on the form when they refresh their input form. Writeback actions use the action item function. For more information, see [Configure an action item](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/yoKrBS4snk1zej1cWalP~A "For an action function to work, you must create an action item to associate with the action function. Action items define what the action function is and how it works.").
Note:
Input form screens contain a submit button. For this configuration you have the option to configure a save-as-you-work option, the data of which is available to other users after it is saved.
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__table_snh_xft_p2c__entry__2}
| Top navigation more menu (iOS) | Top menu icon for input form screen action |
|-|-|
| ![Top navigation more menu (iOS).]() | |
[ ]
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__table_snh_xft_p2c}
## Procedure
1. Navigate to AllSystem MobileMobile App Builder.
The Mobile App Builder opens in a new browser tab and displays the application scope selection screen.
2. Search for the application scope you're working in and then select the name of the application scope.
The Mobile App Builder categories home screen displays.
3. Select the Screens category and then either select an existing input form screen or New.
If you select New, select the Input form option in the Create a screen page, and then select Continue.
4. In the Input form screen page, select Screen in the Presentation style field.
5. Complete the Input form screen form as required.
For information about the various fields, see [Configure an input form screen](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/PVSI3Faa8_DKNk1SxKRsJQ "Configure an input parameter so that your users can see a list of records from their mobile app. To access a record from the list, a user just has to tap the record name.").
6. Select one of the following options:
* To add the input form screen action as a top menu icon, select New in the Top icon function instances area.
* To add the input form screen action as a function in the top menu more (![Top menu more button.]()) button, select New in the Top menu function instances area.
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__ul_bgg_zy1_p2c}
Note:
The subsequent instructions are the same for either top icon or top menu function instances.
7. In the Function instance form do the following:
1. Enter a Name for the function instance.
2. Enter a name in the Display label field.
3. Select an icon from the Icon field.
Note:
This field is required if you selected the Top icon function instances option.
4. Select New in the Function area, to display the function form.
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__ol_f5d_rhb_p2c}
8. Enter a Name for the function.
9. Select Action item in the Type field.
10. Select Record in the Context field.
11. Either Choose or create a New action item.
For more information, see [Configure an action item](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/yoKrBS4snk1zej1cWalP~A "For an action function to work, you must create an action item to associate with the action function. Action items define what the action function is and how it works.").
12. In the Data field, select the table relating to what the input form is representing.
13. In the Button attributes area, do the following:
1. Select New.
2. From the Name field, select retain_parent_parameter_screen. This attribute verifies the parent input form (the input form that you're working on) opens when the user taps the button, as opposed to launching a new input form.
3. Enter true in the Value field.
4. Select Save.
5. From the Name field, select refresh_parameter_screen_after_action. This attribute refreshes the input form with the latest data from the instance.
Note:
To display the data in the input form after the save action, you must configure one of the following loading mechanisms:
* Autofill variable: For more information, see [Configure input form screen inputs](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/apSm79jzLJCtKl4X~5n3qw "Configure the input fields that your users use to enter information. You can use screen inputs to determine the input type, question text, placeholder values, and other attributes.").
* Data source: For more information, see [Data sources](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/fNNHkiliy1Xa~VIW4ExdMg "A data source is a loading mechanism that maps UI elements to specific database fields using element identifiers. Use data sources to retrieve and display data onto input form screens.").
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__ul_xc2_njb_p2c}
6. Enter true in the Value field.
7. Select Save.
{#input-form-screen-actions-config__ol_lkv_w3b_p2c}
14. Select Save.
## What to do next
Use timestamps to track users changes in the input form. To monitor the changes made by different users on an input form screen, you must enable the track timestamps option and use a script. The
Track timestamps for input updates field is on the main input form screen record. For more information, see [Configure an input form screen](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/PVSI3Faa8_DKNk1SxKRsJQ "Configure an input parameter so that your users can see a list of records from their mobile app. To access a record from the list, a user just has to tap the record name."). It tracks the time the input's value changed. This information is accessible using the scripted writeback action. For a code example of this writeback action, see [Using timestamps to track user changes in an input form](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ef6Z_mBATsq7nvYAVQ3JMg "Use the following code to extract data to monitor the timestamp of changes made by different users on an input form screen.").
*[\>]: and then