Data dictionary tables

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Data dictionary tables

    Data dictionary tables in ServiceNow provide detailed information about tables, columns, and field labels within your instance. These tables are essential for managing the structure and metadata of your database, enabling administrators to view, configure, and customize data storage and presentation.

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    Key Features

    • Tables ([sysdbobject]): This table holds records for every table in the database. Administrators can create custom tables, view and modify table details, manage columns, define auto-number formats, set table extensions, create modules, launch schema maps, and delete all records.
    • Dictionary Entries ([sysdictionary]): Known as the System Dictionary, it defines every table and field, including data types, character limits, default values, dependencies, and other field attributes. Administrators can access the system dictionary list or configure specific dictionary entries for individual fields or tables.
    • Field Labels ([sysdocumentation]): Also called the Language File, it contains labels and hints for each table and column, supporting localization and user-friendly field identification. Administrators can view and edit field labels through list views or directly from form field labels.

    Practical Use for ServiceNow Customers

    Understanding and utilizing these data dictionary tables empowers administrators to effectively manage the schema and metadata of their ServiceNow instance. This capability is crucial for custom development, data integrity, and user interface customization, ensuring that tables and fields behave as intended and display meaningful labels to users.

    By accessing these tables, customers can:

    • Customize and extend existing tables or create new tables tailored to business needs.
    • Modify field properties to enforce data validation and default behaviors.
    • Manage localization and clarity of field labels and hints to enhance user experience.
    • Visualize table relationships and dependencies through schema maps.

    Access details related to tables, columns, and field labels in your instance.

    Tables

    All of the information on an instance is stored in tables, which consist of a series of records. The record in turn holds a series of fields that hold the individual bits of data and can be viewed either as a list or a form.

    The Tables [sys_db_object] table contains a record for each table in the database.

    Access the Tables [sys_db_object] table by navigating to System Definition > Tables. From the Tables list, an administrator can create a custom table, or select an existing table to view table details. In the table form, an administrator can access table administration options.

    • View, add, or modify columns with a searchable and sortable embedded list, define the auto-number format, make the table extendable by other tables, and create modules for the table.
    • Launch a schema map for a table by clicking the Show Schema Map related link.
    • Open the dictionary entries for the table by right-clicking the form header and selecting Show Dictionary Record.
    • Navigate directly to the default list or form view for the table by clicking the Show List or Show Form related link.
    • Delete all records from a table by clicking the Delete All Records.
    The following image shows a list of the tables that extend the Application File table.
    Figure 1. Tables
    A list of tables that extend the Application File table.

    Dictionary Entries

    The Dictionary Entries [sys_dictionary] table, also called the System Dictionary, defines every table and field in the system. It contains information about data type, character limit, default value, dependency, and other attributes of a field.

    Access the system dictionary in one of these ways:
    • To see the system dictionary list view, navigate to System Definition > Dictionary.
    • To view particular dictionary definition, right-click the list header, form header, or field label, and select Configure Dictionary.
    The following image shows a filtered list of dictionary entries for the Incident table and the Task table, which it extends.
    Figure 2. Dictionary Inc Task
    A filtered list of dictionary entries for the Incident table and the Task table.

    Field Labels

    The Field Labels [sys_documentation] table, also called the Language File, contains information about the labels and hints for each table and column in the system.

    Access the language file in one of these ways:
    • To see the list view, navigate to System Definition > Language File.
    • To see the field label for a particular field, right-click the field label on the form.
    The following image shows the language file filtered to display only labels on the Incident table.
    Figure 3. Field Labels
    A list showing field labels on the Incident table.