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Glide List Fields

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • What a Glide List field is
  • How it stores many sys_ids in one field
  • How to use the locked and unlocked views

1 One field, many records

A reference field points to one record. But sometimes you need many. For example, an incident’s Watch list can hold several people who want email updates. 👀

Key term: Glide List

A field type (shown as List in the dictionary) that holds many values in one field. It usually references a table, like User.

2 How it’s stored

A Glide List stores a comma-separated list of sys_ids. On the form, you see the display values instead, like names.

The Watch list field on an incident, in two views. Locked view shows the names Riya Sharma, Sam Lee, and Abel Tuter as read-only text with a lock icon. Unlocked view shows a box to add or remove users, with a lookup icon and an add-me icon. The stored value is three sys_ids separated by commas.
Figure 1. Click the lock to switch between viewing and editing the list.
Field type Holds Stores Example
Reference One record One sys_id Caller
Glide List Many records Many sys_ids, separated by commas Watch list

3 Locked and unlocked views

  • Locked 🔒: shows the list as read-only text. This is how it looks when the form opens.
  • Unlocked 🔓: click the lock icon to add or remove entries. Use the lookup to search, or the add me icon to add yourself.
  • Some Glide Lists also let you type an email address, like the Watch list, so people without a user record can be added.

⚠️ Heads up: Glide Lists are handy, but harder to report on and filter than normal references. If you need to track details about each link, like a role or a date, use a related table instead.

⭐ Remember: Reference = one sys_id. Glide List = many sys_ids, separated by commas.

4 Let’s try it: add watchers

  1. Open an incident. Find the Watch list field.
  2. Click the lock icon to unlock it. Add Sam Lee with the lookup, then click the add me icon.
  3. Click the lock again, then Save. Who is on the list now?
  4. Right-click the Watch list label and choose Configure Dictionary. What’s the Type? Which table does it reference?

5 Quick recap

  • A Glide List holds many records in one field
  • It stores sys_ids separated by commas
  • Click the lock to switch between locked and unlocked views
  • Watch list and Work notes list are common examples

6 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 What’s stored in a Glide List field? Show answer

A comma-separated list of sys_ids.

2 How do you add people to a locked Watch list? Show answer

Click the lock icon to unlock it, then add them.

3 Caller holds one person. Watch list holds many. Which field type is each? Show answer

Caller is a Reference. Watch list is a Glide List.

Nice work! You finished this lesson. 🎉

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