Filters, Searches & Condition Builder
In this chapter, we will highlight key features, including searches, the condition builder, filters, and wildcards in ServiceNow.
This chapter will be your guide to learning how the condition builder creates complex queries, uses Wildcard entries for searching, and saves high-priority searches to your favourites.
Filters and Search Conditions in Lists
ServiceNow list filters are tools that include a set of conditions. These conditions are used to display specific records that meet its criterias. These created filters can be saved and used later.
Search Conditions are the rules in ServiceNow that are applied to filter records in a list or query. These conditions allow ServiceNow to identify which records to return based on field values. These conditions depend on the data type of the field of the record on which you apply them.
Types of Record Searches
To filter records in ServiceNow, you can use two types of record searches. These include:
1. Global Search: You can find this option in the top-right corner of your ServiceNow interface. It allows quick, platform-wide searches for multiple tables. It helps you find anything in the system when you are unsure of its location.
2. List Search: This is performed within any table list view. You can either add filters to create conditions or use the search field to search for keywords. The keyword search is limited to the currently listed fields.
Condition Builder
Condition builder is a ServiceNow tool used to create search or filter conditions in list views. The process is done without writing any code. Admins must select a field, an operator, and a value to create conditions.
The two conditions used in ServiceNow are:
- AND → It works the same as the AND Gate. It will match all the conditions connected with the AND Gate and show the result.
- OR → It works on either/or condition. It will display the results of the records if any of the given conditions are met.
Filters Add to Favorite
As we already know, filters in servicenow can be saved to be used later. Users can also add a filter to favourites. It helps you access the filters faster without having to remake them.
It saves the current filter and list layout, which you can access from the favourites menu in the left navigation. To add filters to favourites:
- Apply your filter.
- Look at the top-left of the list.
- Click the favourite star icon.
- Name the filter you favourited.
Wildcard Entries
Wildcards are the characters that you can use in filters, searches and conditions to match patterns in texts. There are multiple Wildcards in ServiceNow that have different purposes and meanings.
Purpose of Wildcard Entries
| Wildcard / Operator | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| * | Matches any characters (contains, starts, ends) | *serv* → contains “serv” |
| % | Matches any characters (used in LIKE queries) | short_descriptionLIKE%error% |
| = | Starts with | =Inc → begins with “Inc” |
| BETWEEN | Range for dates/numbers | opened_atBETWEEN2024-01-01@2024-01-31 |
What’s Next?
In the last section, you will learn how to update multiple records and calculate lists in ServiceNow. It also covers the inline editing feature in ServiceNow.
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