Exploring the _search Feature - ben-vargas/servicenow-wiki GitHub Wiki

Overview:
ServiceNow provides various methods for searching and filtering records. While most users are familiar with the condition builder in lists or the global search bar, there’s a lesser-known feature known as the _search interface. By appending _search to the table’s URL, you can access a specialized "search screen" that transforms a standard form into an advanced search form.

What Is the _search Feature?

If you take any table name in ServiceNow and add _search to it (for example, sys_user_search.do for the User table), you’ll open a form that looks like a normal record form—but operates as an advanced search interface. This _search URL parameter modifies the form behavior so that it acts as a dynamic filter builder.

For Example:

  • Normal form: https://instance.service-now.com/sys_user.do?sys_id=...
  • Search form: https://instance.service-now.com/sys_user_search.do

Key Differences from a Normal Form

When you access a table with _search, the displayed form differs significantly from the standard form used for creating or viewing records:

  1. No Form UI Actions:
    Except for the Search button, no standard form UI actions (Save, Update, Delete) are present.

  2. No Mandatory Fields:
    Every field is optional, giving you flexibility to specify only the fields you want to filter by.

  3. No Read-Only Fields:
    All fields are editable to allow for easy specification of search criteria.

  4. No Default Values & No Hidden Fields:
    You start with a clean slate. Fields that may have hidden conditions or defaults on a normal form are all visible and empty, making every possible field searchable.

  5. Dropdowns for Boolean Fields:
    Instead of checkboxes, boolean fields appear as dropdowns to differentiate between "false" and "not selected," ensuring clarity in your search conditions.

Result: You’re effectively turning the form layout into an advanced search panel where each field represents a potential filter.

How It Works

  1. Fill in Fields as Criteria:
    In the _search form, enter values into the fields you want to filter by. For example, type a user’s name in the Name field or select a department from a reference field.

  2. Click the "Search" Button:
    Clicking Search triggers a query using the fields you set. ServiceNow then returns a list of records that match the criteria.

Limitations & Trade-Offs

While _search is convenient, it’s not a complete replacement for the condition builder. Keep the following limitations in mind:

  1. Operator Restrictions:
    The _search interface defaults to "starts with" for text fields. Operators like "contains" or "equals" are not available here.

  2. No Empty Value Search:
    You cannot directly search for empty values or --None--.

  3. Reference Qualifiers Apply:
    If a reference field normally restricts which records can be selected (via a reference qualifier), the same restriction applies when using _search. You can’t search for values that aren’t selectable in the reference field’s defined qualifier.

Potential Use Cases

Despite its limitations, _search can be a time-saver in several scenarios:

  1. Multi-Language Environments:
    In instances running multiple languages, remembering localized field labels can be challenging. With _search, you can rely on the form layout rather than trying to recall field labels for your list filters.

  2. Unusual Field Labels or Dynamic Changes:
    Some client scripts dynamically alter field labels on forms, making it hard to locate fields using list filters. _search presents the fields as they are defined in the form layout, sidestepping label confusion.

  3. Exploring Form Layouts Quickly:
    _search reveals all fields—no hidden elements. This makes _search a quick way to review the entire form configuration without switching between form sections or layouts.

Getting Started

  • Try _search on a Familiar Table:
    For instance, go to https://yourinstance.service-now.com/sys_user_search.do to test the feature on the User table.

  • Experiment with Different Fields:
    Set a few fields and click Search. Compare results with your normal list filters to understand _search’s strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusion

The _search feature is an underutilized tool in ServiceNow that can simplify certain filtering tasks. By turning a form into a dynamic search panel, it can save time and effort—especially in multi-language instances or when dealing with changing field labels. While it doesn’t offer the full range of operators or the ability to search for empty values, it still serves as a handy shortcut for advanced searching needs. Give it a try and see if it fits your workflow.