SNOW-CSA Self-Service and Automation Practice Question
A catalog item uses a variable substitution in the short description like: 'Request for ${variable_name}'. The variable is a reference field to the 'Configuration Item' table. When a user submits the request, the short description displays 'Request for sys_id' instead of the display value. What could be the cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the display field setting with reference qualifiers or variable types, thinking that restricting allowed values or changing the variable type would affect the output, when in fact the display field property is the direct cause of the sys_id being shown.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The display field of the Configuration Item table is not set correctly
The variable substitution in the short description uses the display value of the reference field. If the display field of the Configuration Item table is not set correctly (e.g., it is set to 'sys_id' instead of a meaningful field like 'name'), the substitution will output the sys_id instead of the intended display value. This is a common configuration issue in ServiceNow where the display field determines which column value is shown in reference fields and variable substitutions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The reference qualifier on the variable is restricting allowed values
Why it's wrong here
Reference qualifier does not impact the display value in substitution.
- ✓
The display field of the Configuration Item table is not set correctly
Why this is correct
If the display field is not the intended field (e.g., name), it may show the sys_id.
- ✗
The variable type is not a reference field
Why it's wrong here
It is a reference field as stated in the problem.
- ✗
The variable substitution uses the field name instead of the variable name
Why it's wrong here
The substitution uses the variable name, which is correct in the description.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SNOW-CSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SNOW-CSA exam.