exploring-tables

name	exploring-tables
description	Exploring any ServiceNow table — schema, field types, sample records, relationships, and data patterns. Use when the user mentions tables, schemas, fields, data dictionary, sys_dictionary, sys_db_object, table structure, "what fields does X have," or wants to understand a ServiceNow table they haven't worked with before.
allowed-tools	mcp__servicenow__get_table_schema, mcp__servicenow__list_records, mcp__servicenow__get_record, mcp__servicenow__list_ci
metadata	{"author":"jschuller","version":"1.0.0","mcp-server":"mcp-server-servicenow"}

Exploring ServiceNow Tables

General-purpose table exploration — schema discovery, data profiling, and table comparison.

Workflows

1. Explore a Table

Get the full picture of any ServiceNow table.

Progress checklist (copy into your response):

- [ ] Get table schema
- [ ] Pull sample records
- [ ] Summarize field types, mandatory fields, reference fields

1. Get the table schema (field definitions, types, mandatory flags):

   get_table_schema(table_name="<table_name>")
   

2. Pull sample records to see real data:

   list_records(table_name="<table_name>", limit=5)
   

3. Summarize:
   • Total field count and types (string, integer, reference, boolean, etc.)
   • Mandatory fields (the ones users must populate)
   • Reference fields (links to other tables — these define relationships)
   • Choice fields (fields with dropdown values)

2. Compare Tables

Side-by-side schema comparison between two related tables.

Progress checklist:

- [ ] Get schema for table A
- [ ] Get schema for table B
- [ ] Compare field overlap and differences

1. Get schemas for both tables:

   get_table_schema(table_name="<table_a>")
   get_table_schema(table_name="<table_b>")
   

2. Compare:
   • Fields present in both (shared/inherited from a common parent)
   • Fields unique to each table
   • Differences in field types or mandatory flags
   • Reference field targets

3. Find Tables

Discover tables matching a keyword by querying sys_db_object.

Progress checklist:

- [ ] Query sys_db_object for matching tables
- [ ] Get record counts for top matches
- [ ] Summarize results

1. Search for tables by name or label:

   list_records(table_name="sys_db_object", query="nameLIKE<keyword>", fields="name,label,super_class,sys_id", limit=20)
   

2. For top matches, get a sample record to confirm the table has data:

   list_records(table_name="<matched_table>", limit=1)
   

3. Summarize: table name, label, parent class, whether it has data.

4. Data Profiling

Sample records and assess data quality for a table.

Progress checklist:

- [ ] Get table schema
- [ ] Pull sample records
- [ ] Check null rates on key fields
- [ ] Identify unused or sparse columns

1. Get the schema to know what fields exist:

   get_table_schema(table_name="<table_name>")
   

2. Pull a larger sample:

   list_records(table_name="<table_name>", limit=20)
   

3. For key fields, check how many have empty values:

   list_records(table_name="<table_name>", query="<field_name>ISEMPTY", limit=1, fields="sys_id")
   

4. Report:
   • Fields with high null rates (potential data quality issues)
   • Fields that appear unused (always empty or default)
   • Reference fields that point to empty/missing records
   • Recommendations for data cleanup

Tips

• Use fields parameter to limit returned data: fields="sys_id,name,state".
• The sys_db_object table contains all table definitions. Use it to discover tables by keyword.
• The sys_dictionary table contains field-level metadata. Query it for advanced schema details: list_records(table_name="sys_dictionary", query="name=<table_name>").
• Encoded query cheat sheet: = (equals), LIKE (contains), ISEMPTY (null), ^ (AND), ^OR (OR).