ServiceNow is a powerful platform that enables organizations to automate workflows and manage IT services efficiently. One of its key features is the use of update sets, which allow administrators to track and move customizations between instances. When working with UI Pages, a common question arises: Are UI Pages captured in update sets? Understanding how ServiceNow handles UI Pages in update sets is crucial for ensuring smooth migrations and avoiding issues when deploying changes across different environments.
Understanding Update Sets in ServiceNow
Update sets in ServiceNow are designed to capture changes made within an instance, allowing those changes to be transferred to another instance. They record modifications to tables, scripts, forms, and configurations, making it easier for developers and administrators to track updates and deploy them seamlessly. Update sets are essential for maintaining consistency across different environments, such as development, test, and production.
While update sets capture a wide range of configuration changes, they do have limitations. Some records and objects, such as data records and certain system properties, are not included by default. This raises concerns about whether UI Pages, which are used for creating custom user interfaces, are automatically captured in update sets.
UI Pages and Their Role in ServiceNow
UI Pages in ServiceNow are custom HTML, JavaScript, and Jelly-based interfaces that enhance the user experience. They allow developers to create dynamic content, custom dashboards, and interactive forms that go beyond the standard platform capabilities. UI Pages can be used to build widgets, pop-ups, and form extensions that improve the overall usability of ServiceNow applications.
Since UI Pages are a critical part of custom applications, ensuring they are included in update sets is important. Without proper migration of UI Pages, organizations risk losing key functionality when moving changes from one instance to another.
Are UI Pages Captured in Update Sets?
By default, UI Pages are not automatically captured in update sets. This means that when an administrator or developer creates or modifies a UI Page, those changes will not be included in the update set unless specific steps are taken. The reason for this exclusion is that UI Pages are stored as records in the sys_ui_page table, which is not part of the standard update set tracking.
To ensure that UI Pages are included in an update set, developers must manually add them. This can be done by navigating to the sys_update_xml table and selecting the UI Page record to be included. Another approach is to manually export the UI Page and import it into the target instance. These methods help preserve UI Page functionality across environments.
Best Practices for Managing UI Pages in Update Sets
To avoid issues when migrating UI Pages, administrators should follow best practices to ensure a smooth transition. One effective method is to always verify whether UI Pages have been included in the update set before moving changes to another instance. This can be done by reviewing the update set contents and manually adding any missing UI Pages.
Another best practice is to use application scopes to manage UI Pages within a specific application. By grouping related UI Pages within an application, it becomes easier to track and migrate them using scoped update sets. Additionally, documenting changes to UI Pages helps teams keep track of modifications and ensures that necessary updates are applied correctly.
Administrators can also leverage ServiceNow’s update set tools to create a controlled migration process. By systematically capturing UI Pages and related components, organizations can prevent errors and maintain consistency across environments.
UI Pages are not automatically captured in update sets in ServiceNow, but administrators can manually include them to ensure successful migration. Understanding how update sets work and following best practices for managing UI Pages can help organizations maintain consistency and avoid issues during deployments. By taking proactive steps, ServiceNow developers can ensure that custom user interfaces function correctly across different instances.