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

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Configure state field choice values

# Configure state field choice values {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read

State fields are a subset of choice list fields. Keep the following information in mind
when you configure choice values for the state field.  
* Use a negative value to add a new active state field.
* Search for and study the business rules that use a state number filter on the Script and Conditions fields. You can use the Debug tool to trace the order of the business rule execution.
* New values representing inactive states should have a value above 8.
{#c_BPForStateFieldChoiceValues__ul_xg2_xg4_c5}

You can define any of the following attributes for a state field by configuring the dictionary.
If the attributes are not defined, the system uses the default values. The TaskStateUtil API uses
the following attributes. For more information on the TaskStateUtil API, see [TaskStateUtil](https://developer.servicenow.com/app.do#!/api_doc?v=paris&id=c_TaskStateUtil).  
{#c_BPForStateFieldChoiceValues__table_hv2_51h_1s__entry__2}

| Attribute | Definition |
|-|-|
| close_states | Semicolon delimited list of state values that are inactive, used to identify whether the task should be set to active or inactive. This is a required attribute to use the TaskStateUtil functionality. |
| default_close_state | Optional attribute to define the state value of the default close state if you want to define business rules that automatically close a task. Defaults to 3, typically Closed Complete if attribute is not defined. |
| default_work_state | Optional attribute to define the state value of the default working state if you want to define business rules that automatically set a task for working. Defaults to 2, typically Work in Progress if the attribute is not defined. |
[Table 1. Related Attributes]

{#c_BPForStateFieldChoiceValues__table_hv2_51h_1s}

## State modification examples {#ariaid-title2}

Follow these examples for modifying the states of incidents and change
requests.

### Before you begin

Role required: admin

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem DefinitionChoice Lists.
2. At the top of the list, construct a list filter like the following:  
   * Table: incident
   * Element: incident_state
   {#t_StateModificationExamples__ul_cr2_lh4_c5}
3. Run the filter.  
   Notice that the Closed state has a value of
   7 and the Resolved state
   has a value of 6. Any state greater than or equal to
   7 is assumed to be inactive. Therefore, you
   should use a positive integer greater than 7 if you
   want to add a new inactive-type of state. Use a negative value like
   -1 or -2 if you wish to
   add a new active-type of state field, such as Awaiting Vendor.
4. Navigate again to System DefinitionChoice Lists.
5. At the top of the list, construct a list filter like the following:  
   * Table: change_request
   * Element: phase_state
   {#t_StateModificationExamples__ul_stk_1j4_c5}
6. Run the filter.  
   Notice that the Complete state has a value of
   8. Any state greater than or equal to
   8 is assumed to be inactive. Therefore, you
   should use a positive integer greater than 8 if you
   want to add a new inactive-type of state, such as
   Cancelled. Use a negative value like
   -1 or -2 if you wish to
   add a new active-type of state field, such as
   Pending.

## Troubleshoot change states and business rules {#ariaid-title3}

Business rules in the system make assumptions about state values. You can
troubleshoot business rules to see the order in which they run and see how it affects
changes you make to State field values.

### Before you begin

Role required: admin

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem DefinitionBusiness Rules.
2. Construct a filter like this one to view the scripts and conditions that pertain to the Resolved incident_state of 6 or the Closed incident_state value of 7:  
   The Script field contains 7 OR the
   Condition field contains 7 OR the
   Script field contains 6 OR the
   Condition field contains 6 AND the
   Table field is incident AND the
   Active field is true.

### What to do next

See Debug Business Rule for information on how to trace the order of business rule
execution. You can click Debug All, resolve an incident, and
then check the trace at the bottom of form to watch the business rules execute.
These two line examples show that the mark_closed business rule code is entered
`==>` and then exited `<==`.  


    ==> 'mark_closed' on incident
    <== 'mark_closed' on incident

*[\>]: and then