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Retrieve, Preview & Commit

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • Two ways to get an update set into another instance
  • Why you preview before you commit
  • How to fix preview problems

1 Three steps on the target

Your update set is Complete in snwrdev. Now you work on the target instance, snwrtest. There are three steps: retrieve, preview, commit. 🚚

Three steps on the target instance, snwrtest. Step 1 Retrieve: pull the completed update set from snwrdev through an Update Source, or import it from an XML file. Step 2 Preview: ServiceNow compares it with the target and lists any problems, like a newer local version or a missing field. Step 3 Commit: apply the changes to snwrtest, after every problem is fixed or skipped.
Figure 1. Retrieve, preview, then commit. Never skip preview.

2 Step 1: Retrieve

Way How
Update Source On the target, go to System Update Sets > Update Sources. Add the source instance’s URL and a user. Click Retrieve Completed Update Sets
XML file On the source, open the update set and click Export to XML. On the target, open Retrieved Update Sets and click Import Update Set from XML

3 Step 2: Preview

Open the retrieved update set and click Preview Update Set. ServiceNow checks for problems, like:

  • The target has a newer version of the same item.
  • The update needs something that isn’t there, like a field or table from another update set.
  • A record was deleted on the target.

For each problem, pick Accept remote update (use the incoming version) or Skip remote update (keep the target’s version).

💡 Good to know: “Missing field” errors often mean an earlier update set wasn’t moved yet. Commit that one first, then preview again.

4 Step 3: Commit

Once every problem is resolved, click Commit Update Set. The changes are applied to the target. Then test them!

⚠️ Heads up: Move update sets in the same order they were made, and through the same path every time: dev → test → prod. Skipping test is how bugs reach production.

⭐ Remember: On the target: Retrieve → Preview (fix problems) → Commit.

5 Let’s try it: the XML way

  1. Open your completed SNWR Room Booking tweaks update set. Click Export to XML and save the file.
  2. If you have a second PDI, open System Update Sets > Retrieved Update Sets there and click Import Update Set from XML.
  3. Open it and click Preview Update Set. Any problems? (The Room Booking table must exist there first!)
  4. Fix or skip problems, then click Commit Update Set.

6 Quick recap

  • Retrieve with an Update Source or an XML file
  • Preview finds problems before anything changes
  • Fix each problem: Accept or Skip the remote update
  • Commit applies the changes. Then test

7 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 Put these in order: commit, retrieve, preview. Show answer

Retrieve, preview, commit.

2 Preview says a field is missing. What’s the likely cause? Show answer

An earlier update set that created the field hasn’t been moved yet.

3 The target has a newer version of a script, and you want to keep it. Which option? Show answer

Skip remote update.

Nice work! You finished this lesson. 🎉

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