Field Watcher in ServiceNow

Introduction

• Topic: Field Watcher in Next Experience UI
• Channel: ServiceNow Hacks (YouTube)
• Purpose: Explain enabling Field Watcher and its benefits

Benefits of Field Watcher

• Troubleshooting: Helps understand what is running on a specific field, including ACLs, UI policies.
• Context: Example with the Incident table and short description field.
• Comparison: More specific than the general debug method.

Demo: Field Watcher on Incident Table

• Client Script: Created on the incident table to make short description non-mandatory.
• Issue Addressed: Description becomes mandatory on reload despite the client script.
• Steps:
  1. Right-click on the short description field.
  2. Enable Field Watcher.
  3. Reload the form.
  4. Observe running scripts and policies.

Observations

• Ordered Execution: Field Watcher shows the order in which scripts and policies run.
• Details Uncovered: ACL read-only, client script, UI policy.
• Benefit: Quickly identify and troubleshoot issues affecting fields.

Issues in Next Experience UI

• San Diego Version: Post-San Diego version does not show Field Watcher correctly in Next Experience UI.
• Troubleshooting Issue: Field Watcher is blocked by default.

Solution for Next Experience UI

• System Properties: Enable specific property to toggle Next Experience UI.
• Steps to Enable:
  1. Admin navigates to system properties.
  2. Search for Next Experience property.
  3. Set to off to switch to UI 16.
  4. Use Field Watcher in UI 16 for troubleshooting.
  5. Switch back to Next Experience after troubleshooting.
• Admin-only Access: Restrict property modifications to admin if necessary.

Conclusion

• Utility: Field Watcher is a valuable tool for admins to troubleshoot field issues without enabling full debug mode.
• Time-saving: Efficient and specific approach.
• Engagement: Viewers encouraged to comment and subscribe for more videos.