---
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


---

# Reference field type

# Reference field type {#ariaid-title1}

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

A reference field stores a reference to a field on another table. For example, the
Caller field on the Incident table is a reference to the User \[sys_user\]
table.

When you define a reference field, the system creates a relationship between the two tables.
Adding a reference field to a form makes the other fields in the referenced table available to
the form.  
Note:  
A reference field can refer only to records from one other table. To add a field that can refer to records on any table, use the Document ID element type.

Administrators can create new reference fields and configure several options for reference
fields.
{#c_ReferenceField__table_ev4_pjm_2r__entry__2}

| Option | Description |
|-|-|
| Display values | Each reference field stores a sys_id for each referenced record in the database, but the sys_id is not shown. The reference field shows the specified display value. |
| Decorations | A reference decoration is an icon that appears next to a reference field. |
| Reference styles | Reference styles are specialized field styles that control the appearance of reference fields. |
| Reference qualifiers | Reference qualifiers restrict the records that are available for reference fields. |
| Cascade delete rules | Cascade delete rules specify what should happen to records that reference a record that is deleted. |
| Auto-complete | By default, a reference field auto-completes as the user types in the field. Administrators can configure auto-complete settings. |
| Reference key | A reference key saves a field other than sys_id as the unique identifier for a reference field. |
| Enable dynamic creation | When dynamic creation is enabled, entering a nonexistent value in a reference field creates a new record on the referenced table instead of returning an error. |
[Table 1. Reference field options]

{#c_ReferenceField__table_ev4_pjm_2r}  
Tip:  
For troubleshooting information, see the [Reference field is not showing the expected display value when selected or it appears blank \[KB0693859\]](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0693859) article in the Now Support Knowledge Base.
* **[Add a reference field](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/vCaEum0mdqdmZ1pdVg70PQ)**   
  Add reference fields to a table using the same method as for any other field.
* **[Display values](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/RPFd29E0gJ~5OjgjipC~uQ)**   
  Reference fields store a sys_id for each referenced record in the database, but the sys_id is not shown.
* **[Decorations](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/bVD86q5o9uazL~auUM36Fg)**   
  Reference decorations are icons which appear next to the reference field.
* **[Reference qualifiers](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/bqLOuoM~MQL1k0~1zoybiQ)**   
  Use reference qualifiers to filter the data that is returned for a reference field.
* **[Auto-complete for reference fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/gpfxsNyiqgguxeEs2lCCqQ#c_AutoCompleteForReferenceFields)**   
  By default, a reference field auto-completes as the user types in the field.
* **[Recent selections](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/PsOCgZL2oapS38G_yOHmJA)**   
  Reference fields store a list of each user's recent selections to enable you to quickly select past values when filling in a reference field.