System Localization properties
Summarize
Summary of System Localization properties
System Localization properties in ServiceNow enable configuration of translation, currency, and locale settings to support users from multiple countries. These settings help tailor the user experience based on language and regional preferences. Some properties require activation of the I18N: Internationalization plugin and are accessible via the System Localization page or the System Properties [sysproperties] table.
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Key Features
- Language-based Sorting: Configure list sorting to follow the user's session language rules instead of the English alphabet, enhancing usability for non-English users.
- Login Language Selection: Enable a language select box on the login page, allowing users to choose their preferred language at login (requires the Internationalization plugin).
- Text Search Stemming: Define the language for text search stemming to improve search accuracy by matching derived word forms (English, German, French supported).
- Translation Debugging: Display translation prefixes on translatable strings to aid in identifying and managing translatable fields.
- Currency Model Configuration: Choose between single currency mode—displaying all currencies in one code regardless of user locale—or multi-currency mode. Set default currency codes using ISO 4217 standards.
- System Default Language and Locale: Set the system’s default language (e.g., en, fr, es) and locale (language and country code) that affect currency conversions and localization behavior. Important to avoid changing locale after production to prevent conversion errors.
- Spell Checker Dictionary: Specify the spell checker dictionary for English users from various language options to improve text input accuracy.
- Advanced Sorting and Language Fallback: Additional system properties enable default column sorting according to session language and support fallback language hierarchies for untranslated UI text, enhancing the multilingual user experience.
Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers
By configuring these localization properties, customers can provide a more personalized and regionally appropriate experience for their global users. This includes correct language display, intuitive sorting, currency consistency, and improved search functionality. Proper setup ensures accurate translations and currency handling, which is critical in multi-national deployments. Customers should activate the Internationalization plugin to unlock all localization features and carefully plan locale settings before production to avoid data inconsistencies.
System Localization properties configure translation, currency, and locale settings on the instance for users from multiple countries.
Some localization properties only appear after the I18N: Internationalization plugin is activated. Some properties are available on the System Localization properties page, but some lesser-used properties are available only from the System Properties [sys_properties] table.
| Property | Description |
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Enable sorting (for lists) in the user's session language when the language is other than English com.glide.db.session_language_collation_feature |
Enable sorting string values in a column according to the rules of the user's session language. If this option isn’t selected, field values are sorted according to the English alphabet.
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Show the language select box on the login page to allow the user to specify the language they would like to be logged in with. glide.ui.login.language.select |
Enables language selection upon login.
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Text Search stemming language. glide.ts.stemming_language |
Selects the language to match derived words in text search.
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Displays translation prefix on translatable strings. glide.ui.i18n_test |
Adds a translation prefix on translatable fields to indicate where to find the string for translation.
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Use a single currency model. Display all currencies in the same currency code, regardless of a user's locale, country, or language code. glide.i18n.single_currency |
Enable single currency mode.
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Default language for the system (two character values) glide.sys.language |
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If using the single currency model, display all currencies using this currency code. Currency codes use the ISO 4217 three letter format. glide.i18n.single_currency.code |
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Locale code to use for localization. glide.system.locale |
Determines the system's default currency into which all prices are automatically converted before other sums or conversions are performed. Changing this property after any price or currency fields have been
given a value may result in improper conversion or prices that sum incorrectly.
Note:
You have already set a value on this system property, do not change this value once a system has gone into production. If a user's locale must be changed, update the "Country code" field on the user
record. |
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Spell checker dictionary to use for English users. glide.spell.dictionary.en |
Sets the spell checker dictionary used in the system for English users.
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| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| com.glide.db.i18n_session_language_sortable_default |
Option to set the default behavior of column sorting. If true, the default behavior of columns is to sort according to the user's session language. If false, the default behavior of columns is to sort according to the English alphabet.
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glide_i18n.language_fallback_enabled |
Option to allow setting fallback languages for the instance. Setting fallback languages creates a three-level hierarchy in which an intermediate language is used before defaulting to English when user interface text is not translated in the user's preferred language.
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