Data dictionary tables
Summarize
Summary of Data dictionary tables
Data dictionary tables in ServiceNow provide essential access to metadata about tables, columns, and field labels within your instance. These tables enable administrators to manage the structure and definitions of data stored in the system, facilitating customization and governance of the database.
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Key Features
- Tables [sysdbobject]: This table lists all tables in the database. Administrators can create custom tables, view and modify table details, manage columns via an embedded list, define auto-number formats, and set table extendability. Additional functionalities include launching schema maps, accessing dictionary entries, navigating to list or form views, and deleting all records in a table.
- Dictionary Entries [sysdictionary]: Known as the System Dictionary, this table defines every table and field in the system. It holds detailed metadata such as data types, character limits, default values, dependencies, and other field attributes. Access is available through list views or by configuring dictionary settings from form or list headers.
- Field Labels [sysdocumentation]: Also called the Language File, it stores labels and hints for all tables and columns. This facilitates localization and user-friendly interface texts. Administrators can view and manage these labels via the Language File list or directly from form field labels.
Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers
- Gain comprehensive control over your instance's data structure and metadata.
- Customize tables and fields efficiently, ensuring they meet your organizational needs.
- Manage user-facing labels and hints to improve clarity and usability of forms and lists.
- Utilize schema maps and dictionary configurations to understand dependencies and relationships between tables and fields.
- Streamline administration tasks such as bulk deletion of records or extending table functionalities.
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 . 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.
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.
- To see the system dictionary list view, navigate to .
- To view particular dictionary definition, right-click the list header, form header, or field label, and select Configure Dictionary.
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.
- To see the list view, navigate to .
- To see the field label for a particular field, right-click the field label on the form.