Create A Page In ServiceNow: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating pages in ServiceNow is essential for tailoring the platform to meet your organization's specific needs. Whether you're building a custom dashboard, a self-service portal, or an application interface, understanding how to create and configure pages is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you can effectively design and deploy pages that enhance user experience and streamline workflows within ServiceNow.

Understanding ServiceNow Pages

Before diving into the creation process, it's important to understand what ServiceNow pages are and the role they play within the platform. Pages, often built using Service Portal or UI Pages, serve as the primary interface through which users interact with ServiceNow applications and data. They can be customized extensively to present information in a user-friendly manner, facilitate specific tasks, and provide access to various ServiceNow functionalities.

Types of Pages in ServiceNow

ServiceNow offers different types of pages, each with its own set of capabilities and use cases:

Service Portal Pages: These are modern, responsive pages designed for end-users. They are built using widgets and are ideal for creating self-service portals, knowledge bases, and customer service interfaces. Service Portal pages are highly customizable and can be tailored to match your organization's branding.
UI Pages: These are older, more traditional pages that are rendered using Jelly syntax. While they are less flexible than Service Portal pages, UI Pages are still used in many legacy applications and custom solutions. They are useful for creating complex forms and interfaces that require server-side scripting.
CMS Pages: Content Management System (CMS) pages allow you to manage and display content such as articles, news, and announcements. CMS pages are typically used for creating informational websites and knowledge portals within ServiceNow.

Key Components of a ServiceNow Page

Understanding the key components of a ServiceNow page is essential for effective design and customization:

Containers: Containers are used to structure the layout of a page. They define the overall organization of the content and provide a framework for arranging widgets and other elements.
Rows: Rows are used within containers to further divide the page into horizontal sections. They allow you to create a grid-like structure for aligning and organizing content.
Columns: Columns are used within rows to divide the page into vertical sections. They provide a way to arrange content side-by-side and create visually appealing layouts.
Widgets: Widgets are reusable components that provide specific functionalities or display data. They can include forms, lists, charts, and other interactive elements. Widgets are the building blocks of Service Portal pages and can be customized to meet your specific requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Page in ServiceNow

Now, let's walk through the process of creating a page in ServiceNow. We'll focus on creating a Service Portal page, as it's the most common and versatile type of page.

Step 1: Access the Service Portal Designer

Navigate to Service Portal: In the ServiceNow navigation menu, type "Service Portal" and click on Service Portal > Service Portal Configuration.
Open the Designer: In the Service Portal Configuration page, click on the Designer link. This will open the Service Portal Designer, which is the primary tool for creating and customizing pages.

Step 2: Create a New Page

Click the "New" Button: In the Service Portal Designer, click the New button in the upper right corner. This will open a dialog box where you can specify the details of your new page.
Enter Page Details:
- Title: Enter a descriptive title for your page. This title will be displayed in the browser tab and in the Service Portal navigation menu.
- ID: Enter a unique ID for your page. This ID will be used to identify the page in the system. It is a good practice to use a descriptive and consistent naming convention.
- Theme: Select a theme for your page. The theme determines the overall look and feel of the page, including the colors, fonts, and styles.
- Roles: Specify the roles that are allowed to access the page. This allows you to control who can view and interact with the page.
Click "Create": After entering the page details, click the Create button to create the new page. The page will be created with a basic layout, including a container, row, and column.

Step 3: Customize the Page Layout

Add Containers, Rows, and Columns: Use the drag-and-drop interface to add additional containers, rows, and columns to the page. You can arrange these elements to create the desired layout for your page.
Configure Container Properties: Click on a container to configure its properties. You can specify the container's width, background color, and other styling options.
Adjust Row and Column Sizes: Adjust the sizes of rows and columns to create the desired proportions for your page. You can use the drag handles to resize the rows and columns, or you can specify the sizes in the properties panel.

Step 4: Add Widgets to the Page

Open the Widget Library: In the Service Portal Designer, click the Add a widget icon (usually a plus sign) in the column where you want to add a widget. This will open the widget library, which contains a list of available widgets.
Select a Widget: Browse the widget library and select the widget you want to add to the page. You can use the search bar to find specific widgets.
Drag and Drop the Widget: Drag the widget from the widget library to the desired location on the page. The widget will be added to the page and will be displayed in the selected column.
Configure Widget Properties: Click on the widget to configure its properties. You can specify the widget's data source, display options, and other settings. The available properties will vary depending on the widget.

Step 5: Configure Page Options and Settings

Configuring the options and settings of your new ServiceNow page is important to fully optimize it. This involves setting the correct permissions and making sure all functionalities are working as expected.

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Page Route: The page route determines the URL that users will use to access the page. You can specify a custom route for your page to make it easier to remember and share.
Meta Tags: Meta tags provide information about the page to search engines and other web crawlers. You can add meta tags to improve the page's search engine optimization (SEO).
Client Scripts: Client scripts are JavaScript scripts that run in the user's browser. You can use client scripts to add dynamic behavior to the page, such as form validation and interactive elements.
Server Scripts: Server scripts are JavaScript scripts that run on the ServiceNow server. You can use server scripts to access ServiceNow data and perform complex logic.

Step 6: Test and Publish the Page

Preview the Page: Before publishing the page, it's important to test it to ensure that it looks and functions as expected. Click the Preview button in the Service Portal Designer to preview the page in a new browser tab.
Test the Page: Test all of the widgets and functionalities on the page to ensure that they are working correctly. Check the layout and styling to ensure that the page looks good on different devices and screen sizes.
Publish the Page: Once you are satisfied with the page, click the Publish button in the Service Portal Designer to publish the page. This will make the page available to users who have the appropriate roles.

Advanced Customization Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics of creating pages in ServiceNow, you can explore advanced customization techniques to create more sophisticated and tailored experiences.

Creating Custom Widgets

Widgets are the building blocks of Service Portal pages, and creating custom widgets allows you to extend the functionality of the platform and create unique user experiences. To create a custom widget:

Navigate to Widget Editor: In the ServiceNow navigation menu, type "Widget Editor" and click on Service Portal > Widget Editor.
Create a New Widget: In the Widget Editor, click the New button to create a new widget.
Define Widget Properties: Specify the widget's name, ID, and other properties.
Write Client Script: Write the client-side JavaScript code that will handle the widget's behavior in the user's browser.
Write Server Script: Write the server-side JavaScript code that will access ServiceNow data and perform complex logic.
Design the HTML Template: Design the HTML template that will define the widget's layout and appearance.
Add CSS Styles: Add CSS styles to customize the widget's appearance.

Using Angular Providers and Directives

Service Portal widgets are built using AngularJS, a powerful JavaScript framework. You can use Angular providers and directives to extend the functionality of your widgets and create more complex and interactive experiences.

Providers: Providers are used to inject dependencies into your widgets. They can include ServiceNow APIs, custom services, and other resources.
Directives: Directives are used to add custom behavior to HTML elements. They can be used to create reusable components, validate forms, and perform other tasks.

Integrating with ServiceNow APIs

ServiceNow provides a rich set of APIs that allow you to access and manipulate data within the platform. You can use these APIs to integrate your pages with other ServiceNow applications and custom solutions.

GlideRecord API: The GlideRecord API is used to query and manipulate data in ServiceNow tables. It allows you to retrieve, create, update, and delete records.
REST API: The REST API allows you to access ServiceNow data and functionality from external applications. It provides a standardized way to interact with the platform using HTTP requests.

Best Practices for Creating ServiceNow Pages

To ensure that your ServiceNow pages are effective and user-friendly, follow these best practices:

Plan Your Design: Before you start creating a page, take the time to plan your design. Consider the purpose of the page, the target audience, and the key functionalities that you want to include. Create a wireframe or mockup to visualize the layout and structure of the page.
Use a Consistent Design: Use a consistent design across all of your ServiceNow pages. This will help to create a cohesive and professional user experience. Use the same colors, fonts, and styles throughout the platform.
Optimize for Performance: Optimize your pages for performance to ensure that they load quickly and run smoothly. Minimize the use of large images and complex scripts. Use caching to improve the loading time of frequently accessed data.
Test Thoroughly: Test your pages thoroughly before publishing them to ensure that they are working correctly. Test all of the widgets and functionalities, and check the layout and styling on different devices and screen sizes.
Gather User Feedback: Gather feedback from users on your ServiceNow pages. This will help you to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the pages are meeting the needs of your users.

Conclusion

Creating pages in ServiceNow is a fundamental skill for customizing and extending the platform. By understanding the different types of pages, key components, and customization techniques, you can effectively design and deploy pages that enhance user experience and streamline workflows. Whether you're building a self-service portal, a custom dashboard, or an application interface, following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide will help you create effective and user-friendly ServiceNow pages. Remember to plan your design, use a consistent style, optimize for performance, and gather user feedback to continuously improve your pages and meet the evolving needs of your organization. By mastering the art of page creation in ServiceNow, you'll empower your users and unlock the full potential of the platform. Remember guys, keep practicing and experimenting with different layouts and widgets to become proficient in creating stunning and functional ServiceNow pages!