Journal fields

ServiceNow journal fields can be used to enter new data and to show a history of the entered data. These fields are generally used for comments, work notes, etc.

To use a journal field in a Mobile Reach App:

  1. In your ServiceNow database, configure journal fields or determine the names of existing journal fields. Journal fields should reference the sys_journal_field table. In this example, a ServiceNow journal field called ‘work_notes’ is used.
  2. In AppStudio, add a recordset that references the sys_journal_field table to the App. In this example, a recordset called WorkNotes is created.

    journal_recordset

  3. Add a textbox, referencing the journal field, to the App. This textbox will be used to enter new data.

    journal_textbox

  4. Add a related list that will display journal entries as a history.

    journal_rllist

Online mode

If desired, you can use the journal field in online mode, so that records from the sys_journal_field table are not downloaded, and the related list search is performed in realtime.

Configuring online mode is similar to configuring offline mode, as described above, with the following changes:

  1. The secondary recordset is not necessary.
  2. When creating the related list, do not enter a value in the Offline recordset Component Detail.
  3. Change the function on the OnActivate component to UpdateRelatedList instead of SearchRelatedList. If you are using the Related List Component Details to search/update the related list, select Auto Update instead of Auto Search.

To test the journal functionality on your device, access a task that has work notes and ensure the appropriate notes are displayed in the history area for that task. Create new work notes and after uploading/downloading to/from ServiceNow, ensure the new work notes are included in the history area for that task.