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Data Sources

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • The big picture of importing data
  • What a data source is
  • The main data source types

1 Getting data in

SNWR just hired 40 people. HR sends a spreadsheet. Typing 40 users by hand? No thanks! 😅 ServiceNow can import the file for you, in three stages.

The three stages of importing data. 1 Data source: where the data comes from, like an Excel file new_hires.xlsx. 2 Import set: the data is loaded as-is into a staging table, u_snwr_new_hires. 3 Transform map: each staging row is copied into the target table, User, with columns mapped to fields. Lessons 43.1 to 43.4 cover each stage.
Figure 1. Data source → import set (staging) → transform map → target table.

2 Data sources

Key term: Data source

A record that says where the data comes from and how to read it. Find them in System Import Sets > Administration > Data Sources.

Type Reads from Example
File An attached or remote file: CSV, Excel, XML, JSON new_hires.xlsx from HR
JDBC A database, usually through a MID Server The payroll database
LDAP A directory, like Active Directory Company user accounts
REST (IntegrationHub) A web API A cloud HR system
Custom (Load by Script) Anything a script can read A special format

3 The quick way: Load Data

For a one-time file, use System Import Sets > Load Data. It creates the data source and staging table for you.

  1. Choose Create table and give the import set table a name, like SNWR New Hires.
  2. Choose File and pick your Excel or CSV file.
  3. Set the Header row (usually 1) and Sheet number for Excel.
  4. Click Submit. The rows load into the staging table.

💡 Good to know: On a saved data source, Test Load 20 Records tries just 20 rows. Great for checking the columns before you load thousands.

⚠️ Heads up: Clean your file first: one header row, no merged cells, no blank columns, and the same format in every row. Messy files make messy data.

⭐ Remember: Import = data source → import set (staging) → transform map → target table.

4 Let’s try it: load a small file

  1. Make a CSV with columns: First name, Last name, Email, Department. Add 3 made-up SNWR people.
  2. Go to System Import Sets > Load Data. Create a table named SNWR New Hires. Upload your file.
  3. Submit. Then click Loaded data to see the rows in the staging table.
  4. Check Administration > Data Sources. Is there a new data source?

5 Quick recap

  • Importing has three stages: data source, import set, transform map
  • A data source says where the data is and how to read it
  • Types: File, JDBC, LDAP, REST, Custom
  • Load Data is the quick way for one file
  • Clean your file before you load it

6 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 Put these in order: transform map, data source, import set. Show answer

Data source, import set, transform map.

2 Which data source type reads user accounts from Active Directory? Show answer

LDAP.

3 How can you try a data source on just a few rows? Show answer

Use Test Load 20 Records.

Nice work! You finished this lesson. 🎉

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