--- 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 --- # Working with metadata app file categories in the ServiceNow Studio Navigator # Working with metadata app file categories in the ServiceNow Studio Navigator {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Yokohama * * Updated January 30, 2025 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Working with metadata app file categories in the ServiceNow Studio Navigator ServiceNow Studio allows you to efficiently work with various types of metadata supported by the ServiceNow AI Platform, including automations, integrations, user interface files, and more. The Navigator panel's File Categories section organizes all accessible metadata by taxonomy category, facilitating quick access and navigation within your ServiceNow Studio apps. Show full answer Show less ## Accessing and Navigating Metadata The File Categories section in the Navigator panel categorizes metadata into expandable groups and subcategories. For example, expanding the Automation category reveals sub-types like actions, flows, and playbooks. Selecting a sub-type displays all relevant metadata files you have access to, which can be opened directly within ServiceNow Studio, such as opening Flows in Workflow Studio. Each subcategory corresponds to a source table on the platform, and selecting "Open list" provides the full list of files of that type. This organization helps streamline locating and managing app files based on their metadata category. ## Metadata Tables and Structure Metadata files reside in specific tables within the ServiceNow AI Platform. The primary metadata table is **sysmetadata** , with extended tables for specialized metadata types, such as **syshubflow** for flows and sub-flows. Understanding these tables is useful for advanced management and customization of metadata files. ## Metadata Categories The metadata is grouped into several key categories, each containing relevant metadata types used across different app functionalities: * **Automation:** Includes schedules, flows, actions, playbooks. * **Data:** Client development, MID Server, server development. * **Integrations:** Inbound and outbound integrations. * **Mobile:** Mobile App Builder, Mobile Card Builder. * **UI:** User interface content. * **Other:** Natural Language Understanding (NLU), reporting, security, and properties. You can customize the view of these categories by grouping or ungrouping parent categories using the "More options" menu in the File Categories panel. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers Using the categorized metadata view in ServiceNow Studio Navigator helps customers quickly locate and manage app files by type, improving development efficiency and organization. It also provides clear visibility into the underlying data structure and relationships, aiding in better app customization and governance. This structured approach supports a streamlined development experience across various app components such as automations, integrations, UI elements, and mobile features. ServiceNow Studio enables you to work with all types of metadata that the ServiceNow AI Platform supports, from automations and integrations to user interface files. ## Accessing metadata for your ServiceNow Studio apps {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__section_kcq_x4d_mcc} The File Categories section of the Navigator panel enables you to quickly view all types of metadata that you have access to, arranged by taxonomy category. Expanding each metadata file category shows its subcategories. For example, expanding the Automation category provides access to view all of the sub-types of automation metadata, such as actions, flows, and playbooks. Note: To see a complete list of each category's file types and information about each file, see [ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ONBqQp2CDUG~rUtciXU~Kw "Learn more about each metadata file type and its corresponding primary table in the File categories tab of the ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel."). Figure 1. Metadata sections in the File Categories section of the Navigator When you select a sub-type of an expanded file category, ServiceNow Studio displays all of the metadata of that type, which you can select to view. For example, selecting Flow under the Automation file category displays a list of all flows that you have access to. Select one to open it in Workflow Studio within a tab in ServiceNow Studio. Note: The source table for each sub-category of metadata file type appears when you select the category. Select Open list to see a complete list of all the files of that type. Figure 2. Table for app files For more information on using the Navigator panel to find app files by their metadata category, see [Find an app or app file using the Navigator panel](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/MHXMIfvwW9PsclWSBChnQQ "Use the Navigator panel in ServiceNow Studio to find and open an app or app file."). ## Metadata table and its extended tables {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__section_snd_fwm_ncc} Metadata lives as application files in their corresponding tables on the ServiceNow AI Platform. The main metadata table is sys_metadata, but specific types of metadata extend the sys_metadata table. For example, flows and sub-flows use the extended sys_hub_flow table. See [ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ONBqQp2CDUG~rUtciXU~Kw "Learn more about each metadata file type and its corresponding primary table in the File categories tab of the ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel.") for a list of available metadata and corresponding tables that extend sys_metadata. ## Metadata by category {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__section_dcw_3zv_zcc} Each file category has different types of metadata available for automations, data, integration, mobile app builder, UI, and other categories. For a list of each type of file, its primary table, primary builder experience, and more, see [ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ONBqQp2CDUG~rUtciXU~Kw "Learn more about each metadata file type and its corresponding primary table in the File categories tab of the ServiceNow Studio Navigator panel."). Note: You can group or ungroup the metadata categories in the File Categories menu by selecting the More options icon (![more options icon]()) and selecting or deselecting Show parent categories. {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__table_j5p_nzv_zcc__entry__2} | Category | Metadata sections | |-|-| | Automation | * Automation * Schedules {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_h4g_b1w_zcc} | | Data | * Client development * Data * MID Server * Server development {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_g45_21w_zcc} | | Integrations | * Inbound integration * Outbound integration * Properties {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_pzy_21w_zcc} | | Mobile | * Mobile App Builder * Mobile Card Builder {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_a2c_f1w_zcc} | | UI | * Content * User interface {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_lzk_f1w_zcc} | | Other | * Natural Language Understanding (NLU) * Reporting * Security {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__ul_rg4_f1w_zcc} | [Table 1. Categories of metadata] {#sn-studio-working-with-metadata__table_j5p_nzv_zcc}