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Transform Maps

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • What a transform map does
  • How to map staging columns to target fields
  • The key options on a transform map

1 From staging to the real table

Your new hires are sitting in the staging table. Now they need to move into the User table. A transform map is the set of directions: “this column goes into that field”. 🗺️

Key term: Transform map

Rules that copy data from a source table (the staging table) to a target table, using field maps. Find them in System Import Sets > Administration > Transform Maps.

A transform map from the staging table SNWR New Hires to the User table. Field maps: u_first_name to First name, u_last_name to Last name, u_email to Email, marked as coalesce, and u_department to Department, a reference field matched by the department's name. Options shown: Run business rules checked, Enforce mandatory fields set to No.
Figure 1. Each field map sends one staging column to one target field.

2 Building a transform map

  1. Create a new transform map. Source table: your staging table. Target table: User. Save.
  2. Click Auto Map Matching Fields to map columns with the same names.
  3. Use Mapping Assist to drag the rest together, like u_email → Email.
  4. Open your staging import set and click Transform (or use Run Transform).

3 Key options

Option What it does
Run business rules Runs the target table’s business rules on each record. Usually leave it on
Enforce mandatory fields Rejects rows that leave mandatory target fields empty
Copy empty fields Copies blank values over existing values. Off by default, so blanks don’t wipe data
Order Which map runs first, if one source has several maps

4 Reference and choice fields

  • Reference fields (like Department): the file has a name, like “Sales”. The field map’s Referenced value field name tells ServiceNow which field to match on, like name.
  • Choice fields: the Choice action decides what happens to values not in the list: create a new choice, ignore the field, or reject the row.

⚠️ Heads up: Without a coalesce field, every transform inserts new records. Load the same file twice, and you get duplicate users! You’ll fix that in Lesson 43.4.

⭐ Remember: Transform map = source (staging) + target + field maps. Try Auto Map, then Mapping Assist.

5 Let’s try it: create the users

  1. Create a transform map from SNWR New Hires to User.
  2. Map First name, Last name, and Email. Map Department with Referenced value field name name.
  3. Run the transform. Check the Transform History. How many were inserted?
  4. Open User Administration > Users and find your new people.

6 Quick recap

  • A transform map copies staging rows into a target table
  • Field maps connect columns to fields
  • Auto Map and Mapping Assist make mapping quick
  • Reference fields match on a field, like name
  • No coalesce = always insert

7 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 In a transform map, what is the source table? Show answer

The import set (staging) table.

2 Your file has department names, but Department is a reference field. What do you set? Show answer

Referenced value field name, like name.

3 Which option stops blank values from wiping existing data? Show answer

Leave Copy empty fields unchecked (the default).

Nice work! You finished this lesson. 🎉

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