Use scripts to extend your instance beyond standard configurations. With scripts, you may automate processes, add functionality, integrate your instance with an outside application and more.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provide classes and methods that you can use in scripts to define functionality. ServiceNow provides APIs as JavaScript classes, web services, and other points of connection for integrations. Note that you cannot access commonly used JavaScript objects (such as DOM or Window). Jelly scripts are also used in some modules. Jelly is used to turn XML into HTML and may include both client-side and server-side scripts.

Scripts may be server-side (run on the server or database), client-side (run in the user's browser), or run on the MID server.

Note: When you are writing scripts, you cannot use reserved words.

Understand JavaScript before you begin customizing your instance, and with Jelly if you intend to deploy Jelly scripts.

Server-side scripts

Perform database operations. For example, use a server-side script to update a record. Create a script in a scoped application or in the global scope. Each execution context includes a set of available APIs.

Scoped environment

Use scoped APIs when scripting in a scoped application. Scoped Glide APIs do not include all the methods included in the global Glide APIs, and you cannot call a global Glide API in a scoped application.

Global environment
The global scope is a special application scope that identifies applications developed prior to application scoping, or applications intended to be accessible to all other global applications. Use global APIs when scripting in the global scope.

To learn more about server-side scripting, see Server-side scripting. To learn more about application scope, see Application scope.

Client-side scripts

Make changes to the appearance of forms, display different fields based on values that are entered, or change other custom display options.
  • onLoad client scripts run when the form or page is loaded
  • onChange client scripts run when something specific gets changed AND also when the form or page loads
  • onSubmit client scripts run when the form is submitted

Client Scripts can also be called by other scripts or modules, including UI policies. To learn more about client-side scripting, see Client-side scripting.