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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Easy import template validation

Each import template must pass two sets of validation.

Type of validationStored inResults of failing validation
Client-side validationImport templateThe template highlights the invalid cell.
Image omitted: ImportTemplateClientValidation.png
Import template client validation
Server-side validationInstanceThe import pauses and displays an error message.
Image omitted: ImportTemplateServerValidation.png
Import template server validation

Parent Topic:Easy import

Template data validation

Some cells in the template contain calculations or validation rules. These rules are intended to help you enter data that is appropriate for the field (column).

If you want to paste data from another spreadsheet, use the Paste Special command to paste only values or match the existing formatting.

Image omitted: EasyImportPasteSpecial.png
\[Omitted image "PasteSpecialValuesOnly.png"\] Alt text:

Template type validations

Server-side validation verifies that the import template contains the necessary format.

Template typeValidation done
Insert template- Template contains a header row with valid field names. - Template contains one or more data rows. - Template does not contain a sys\_id column.
Update template- Template contains a header row with valid field names. - Template contains one or more data rows. - Template contains a sys\_id column to match a row to an existing record.

Data type validations

Both client-side and server-side validation verify that template cells contain data that matches the ServiceNow field type.

ServiceNow field typeValidation done
Choice listCell contains a value that matches a choice option from the choice list.
IntegerCell contains a number without any decimal points.
ReferenceCell contains a value that matches an existing related record. This validation applies only to fields in which the list of possible choices is relatively small and mostly static. It does not apply to fields such as ‘Assigned To’ in which the list of possible choices is dynamic and large. Validation takes place when the data is inserted into the database, but not in Excel.Note: When you enter reference field values in the Excel spreadsheet, enter the display value and not the sys_id of the referenced record. Enter this value the same as you would on a form. For example, for a reference to a user record, enter the username.
True \| FalseCell contains a true or false value.