---
sourceDocument: Yokohama Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/yokohama/application-development

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Building a data model

# Building a data model {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

After creating an application, start building the data model for the application. Learn about what a data model is and how we build the data model for the tutorial application.

Once you have created an application in App Engine Studio, you can start configuring each part of the application. In our tutorial, we start with the data model for the application.  
This is the third step in the app creation tutorial. In this step, you learn about data models and build the data model for the employee travel request application.

|-|-|-|
| Step 1 | ![Completed icon]() | [Planning your application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/~6GrLCQe9ujVIbKW50mUag "Plan out your application before building it to streamline the development process.") |
| Step 2 | ![Completed icon]() | [Create an app](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/a4SnS6~dn0m~AMpQTroCAQ "When you're ready to start building your application, begin creating your application in App Engine Studio.") |
| Step 3 | ![In progress icon]() | [Building a data model](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/odL0etnfHEKIIBMh4AlWlQ "After creating an application, start building the data model for the application. Learn about what a data model is and how we build the data model for the tutorial application.") |
| Step 4 | ![Not started icon]() | [Creating user experiences](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/CbVPCjnKv80BztAVoNirXA "Create the user experiences for your application. Learn about experiences in App Engine Studio and how we build the user experience for the employee travel request application.") |
| Step 5 | ![Not started icon]() | [Adding logic and automation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/JFB1ft6Ca6LbqLWBOUfMfQ "Add logic and automation to your application. Learn about logic and automation in App Engine Studio and how we automate the employee travel request application.") |
| Step 6 | ![Not started icon]() | [Test your application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/J5Syua_CqmZjbLNVD5aYrw "Verify that your application works as intended before publishing by testing the application experience and flow.") |
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{#app-tutorial-data-model__table_odl_xfd_fdc}

## Overview of data models {#app-tutorial-data-model__section_m35_vpv_2dc}

The data model for an application describes the data that the application reads and writes and how the data is stored. To build a data model, you can create tables to store the data for your application. Each table contains rows
that represent individual records and columns that define the type of information within each record. You can create as many tables as needed for your application and define relationships between the tables.

For more information about building data models in App Engine Studio, see [Create a data model for your application](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/sBUU39XKAFpc6eT3sEejzQ "Create a data model in App Engine Studio (AES) for your application by creating the tables that will house your application data. Create data tables that will be used in your application by creating the table from scratch, uploading a spreadsheet or PDF, or by using an existing table as a template. You can also create and schedule data imports by mapping a spreadsheet to an existing table in your application.").

## Tutorial data model {#app-tutorial-data-model__section_z2z_brv_2dc}

In our tutorial, the data model for our application stores information about employees' travel requests, such as where the employee is traveling to and how much the travel costs.  
We build the data model for the application in our tutorial in three phases:

|-|-|
| Phase 1 | [Create a data table](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/UhtE0kDU8b3~JnwUEq6WwQ "Create a table to store the data for your application.") |
| Phase 2 | [Configure a data table](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/iqnscVzjamqOF55dnnMQ3w "Configure a table to capture the necessary data for your application.") |
| Phase 3 | [Share data between tables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/rFCSj2mkOh7G1CXhVDfrTQ "Share data between tables to avoid data duplication.") |
[ ]

{#app-tutorial-data-model__table_nvj_prv_2dc}

## Next steps {#app-tutorial-data-model__section_g3r_2tv_2dc}

Start building the data model for your application. Proceed to the next step [Create a data table](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/UhtE0kDU8b3~JnwUEq6WwQ "Create a table to store the data for your application.").