Add forms to UI Builder pages

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Add forms to UI Builder pages

    The Form component in UI Builder enables you to add one or more customizable forms to your pages, allowing data collection through defined fields with configurable properties like required input. This feature supports enhancing page functionality by embedding forms inline, within modals, or alongside other components, facilitating richer user interactions.

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    Key Features

    • Multiple Forms per Page: You can add several forms to a single UI Builder page, including on pages that already contain nested forms within other components.
    • Form Controller Presets: For pages with forms created before the Xanadu release, applying a preset to the original form controller is required to enable multiple forms to function correctly. This preset must be applied to all form controllers on the page.
    • Primary Form Controller Configuration: Exactly one form controller on the page must have the Is mapped to app Shell property set to true. This primary form controller manages global events, ensuring proper event handling and avoiding conflicts.
    • Advanced Event Handling: When a form controller is mapped to the app shell, it automatically handles key events such as screen status changes (e.g., dirty form indication), configuration menu updates, phone requests (with CTI plugin), and loading state changes.

    Practical Guidance for ServiceNow Customers

    • When extending record pages, use inline tabs or modals to add forms with dedicated form controller instances, improving modularity and user experience.
    • Before adding multiple forms to legacy pages, ensure you apply the form controller preset to all involved forms to avoid operational issues.
    • Verify that exactly one form controller per page has the Is mapped to app Shell property enabled to maintain proper event processing across forms.
    • Leverage the automatic event handling capabilities of the primary form controller to streamline user interactions and maintain consistent UI behavior.

    For comprehensive details on the Form component and configuration options, consult the Form Overview documentation on the ServiceNow Developer Site.

    Use the Form component to add one or more forms to UI Builder pages.

    Add functionality to your UI Builder pages by including forms. You define the fields on the form and their properties, such as making them required. Then, collect data as the form is completed and submitted.
    Figure 1. Form component example
    Sample form component named transfer order line task on a page.
    You can add more than one form to a single page. You can also add a form to a page that already contains a component with a nested form. Sample use cases include:
    • Extend record pages by adding an inline tab with a form using its own form controller instance.
    • Add modals with a form on a record page.
    For existing pages with forms created in a pre-Xanadu ServiceNow release, you must apply a preset to the original form before adding another form to the page. Applying the preset is a prerequisite to adding multiple forms to a page and enables multiple forms to work as expected on a page. The form controller preset should be applied onto all form controllers.
    1. Open the page containing an existing form.
    2. In the data drawer, expand the Data resources list and select the original form controller.

      Data drawer with Data resources list expanded and black arrow pointing to form controller.

    3. Select the Preset field.
    4. Select Form controller preset.

      Edit form controller pop-up with black arrow pointing to preset field and second black arrow pointing to form controller preset option.

    5. Select Apply.
    6. Select the X to close the Edit Form Controller pop-up.

      Exactly one of your form controllers should have the Is mapped to app Shell property set to true. This property is used to specify the primary form on the page. The primary form is responsible for handling global events. You shouldn't set the property to true for more than one form controller or have zero form controllers with the property set to true.

    7. Open the page containing one or more forms.
    8. In the content tree, select a form.

      Content tree with black arrow pointing to a form component.

    9. In the configuration panel, on the Configure tab, select Form Controller.

      Form configuration panel with configure tab displayed and black arrow pointing to form controller link.

    10. On the Edit Form Controller pop-up, scroll down in the Form Controller list to find the Is mapped to App Shell option.

      Edit form controller pop-up window with black arrow pointing to is mapped to app shell option.

    11. Select or clear the option for each form component on the page to confirm that exactly one form controller is mapped to the app shell.

    Advanced form event handling

    Experienced developers with knowledge of conflict event handling may find the following details useful.

    If isMapped to app shell is set to true, the form handles these events automatically:
    Screen Status Changed
    • Description: Action to indicate that a form is dirty.
    • Output: CTRL_RECORD#SCREEN_STATUS_CHANGED
    Update Configuration Menu Requested
    • Description: Action to set record configuration menu items on the avatar menu.
    • Output: CTRL_RECORD#UPDATE_CONFIGURATION_MENU_REQUEST
    Phone Requested
    • Description: Action to make a call when the CTI plugin is enabled.
    • Output: CTRL_RECORD#PHONE_REQUESTED
    Form Loading State Changed
    • Description: Action to show a loading spinning when that form is loading data.
    • Output: CTRL_RECORD#FORM_LOADING_STATE_CHANGED

    For detailed information about the Form component and its properties, see Form Overview on the ServiceNow Developer Site.