---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/platform-administration

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Database field type

# Database field type {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Several field types are available in the system.
This table shows field types and corresponding MySQL database types. Typically, it isn't necessary to perform any actions at the database level. To learn about changing a field type, see [System dictionary](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/g6cnU9mhKG2G~eHH_JGYoA "View a list of all tables in columns in your instance from the system dictionary.").{#r_DatabaseFieldTypes__table_oj2_x1p_y4__entry__4}

| Field types | Options | Dictionary XML type | MySQL DB type |
|-|-|-|-|
| String | small | string | VARCHAR(40) |
| String | medium | string | VARCHAR(100) |
| String | large | string | MEDIUMTEXT |
| String | extralarge | string | MEDIUMTEXT |
| Decimal |   | decimal | Decimal (15,2) older instances may have (12,2) |
| Integer |   | integer | Integer |
| True-False |   | boolean | TINYINT(1) |
| Date |   | glide_date | DATE |
| Date-Time |   | glide_date_time | DATETIME |
| Time |   | glide_time | DATETIME |
| Duration |   | glide_duration | DATETIME |
| Choice |   | string | VARCHAR(40) |
| Suggestion |   | string | VARCHAR(40) |
| Journal |   | journal | MEDIUMTEXT |
| Reference | \<reference table\> | reference | VARCHAR(32) |
| List |   | glide_list | MEDIUMTEXT |
| Url |   | url | MEDIUMTEXT |
| Image |   | user_image | VARCHAR(40) |
| Due-Date |   | due_date | DATETIME |
[Table 1. Database field types]

{#r_DatabaseFieldTypes__table_oj2_x1p_y4}  
Note:  
An example of option types is as follows:

* A string field defined in the platform with a max length of 40 characters → VARCHAR(40).
* A string field defined in the platform with a max length of x, where x = 41-255 characters, inclusive → VARCHAR(x) \[examples: String 42 is VARCHAR(42) and String 211 is VARCHAR(211)\].
* A string field defined in the platform with a max length of 256 and upwards → MEDIUMTEXT.
{#r_DatabaseFieldTypes__ul_hqb_34r_5qb}