Create Catalog Task action
Summarize
Summary of Create Catalog Task action
The Create Catalog Task action enables you to create a record in the Catalog Task [sctask] table that is linked to a requested item from the Requested Items [screqitem] table. This action is designed for use within ServiceNow flows, allowing you to add catalog task records as data within your workflow processes.
Show less
Key Features
- Availability: Available as a Workflow Studio core action. Users with the
flowdesigneroradminroles can add and configure this action in flows. - Inputs:
- Table: Specify the task table extension (e.g., Catalog Task [sctask] or Incident Task [incidenttask]) where the record will be created.
- Requested Item: Provide the requested item record that the catalog task fulfills.
- Short Description: Enter a brief description for the catalog task.
- Fields: Set additional field values on the catalog task record dynamically, including in subflows.
- Wait: Boolean flag to pause the flow until the catalog task is completed. This enables flow control based on task status.
- Template Catalog Item: Select a Catalog Item record to populate catalog variables for the task. Note: This input does not accept dynamic values.
- Catalog Variables: Define which catalog variables to display on the catalog task to provide additional context for task fulfillers.
- Outputs: The action outputs a reference to the created Catalog Task record that can be used as input for subsequent flow steps.
Practical Use Case
Within a Service Catalog Item request flow, you can incorporate this action to create catalog tasks after approvals are received. For example, once manager and department head approvals are granted, the flow uses the requested item as input and sets task details such as short description, assignment group, and description through the Fields input. By enabling the Wait option, the flow pauses until the catalog task is fulfilled, ensuring proper sequencing.
This approach allows you to automate task creation and monitoring within catalog item request workflows, improving process efficiency and visibility. Flow execution details show linkage between the requested item and catalog task records, and the flow state reflects waiting status when applicable.
Creates a record in the Catalog Task [sc_task] table associated to a requested item in the Requested Items [sc_req_item] table. Adds the catalog task record as data to be used in the flow.
Roles and availability
Available as a Workflow Studio ServiceNow core action. Users with the flow_designer or admin role can add an action to a flow and define configuration details.
Inputs
Provide a value for each input that your flow needs. To add dynamic values, you can also drag and drop pills from the Data panel or select them from the pill picker.
- Table
- Data type: Table Name
Extension of the Task table in which to create a record. For example, Catalog Task [sc_task] or Incident Task [incident_task].
- Requested Item [Requested Item]
- Data type: Record
The requested item record from the Requested Item [sc_req_item] table that this catalog task fulfills.
- Short Description
- Data type: String
The short description for the catalog task.
- Fields
- Data type: Template Value
The field values that you want to set in the catalog task. If adding the action to a subflow, you can allow flow designers to dynamically set field values. See Create a template value input.
- Wait
- Data type: True/False
Flag indicating whether to pause the flow until the Task record is no longer active. You can add a wait condition by dragging-and-dropping a True/False data pill into this input. The flow only waits for the Task record to complete when the condition field is true.
- Template Catalog Item [Catalog Item]
- Data type: Record
The Catalog Item [sc_cat_item] record you want to use to populate the catalog variables slush bucket. This input does not support any data pill values.
- Catalog Variables
- Data type: Slush Bucket
The list of catalog variables that you want to show on the catalog task. These variables provide more information to the catalog task fulfiller.
Outputs
These outputs appear in the Data panel. You can use them as inputs elsewhere in your flow.
- Catalog Task
- Data type: Record
Reference to Catalog Task record created.
Use a flow to process a catalog item request
In this example, the Service Catalog Item request flow first requests manager and department head approval. Only approved requests ever run the Create Catalog Task action. The Requested Item input uses the requested item that triggered the flow to run. The Fields input sets the value of the task short description, assign group, and description. Since the wait input is selected, the flow will pause while the catalog task is being fulfilled. Also since there is no template catalog item selected, there are no catalog variables available to this task.
In this example, the flow execution details show the requested item record number and the catalog task record number. The action state is listed as waiting since the Wait input was selected. The flow waits until the catalog task is closed before continuing.