Where Are Images and Icons Stored in ServiceNow?

ServiceNow developers and administrators frequently use custom icons and images to enhance the usability and visual appeal of their platform applications. Whether you're personalizing a Service Portal, building a custom form, or simply adding visual indicators for critical fields, understanding where ServiceNow stores these visual assets is essential. This article explains where images and icons reside within the ServiceNow platform, making it easier for you to manage, customize, and use them effectively.

Locating Images and Icons in ServiceNow

Understanding the db_image Table

ServiceNow centrally stores images and icons in a dedicated table called db_image. This table acts as a repository, housing image attachments that developers and system administrators upload or reference within applications.

To easily access these images and icons:

1. Navigate to the application navigator.

2. Search for "Images."

3. Click on the "Images" module under the System UI menu.

This action will present you with a list of all the images stored in your instance. Each image is stored as an attachment within a record in the db_image table.

How to Add New Images

If you wish to add custom images or icons, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Open the application navigator.

2. Type and select "Images" under System UI.

3. Click "New" to upload a new image file.

4. Provide a meaningful name for the image.

5. Attach your desired image file.

6. Submit the form.

Your image is now ready for use across your ServiceNow applications, including Service Portal widgets, UI Pages, or forms.

Using the Image Picker

ServiceNow also includes a built-in tool known as the "Image Picker," which allows quick access and selection of icons and images:

• Navigate to your instance URL and append /image_picker.do. This page provides a graphical interface displaying available images and icons for easy selection.

Special Icons and the ServiceNow Icon Library

Certain standard icons—such as those used to indicate VIP users or status indicators—are managed internally by ServiceNow. These particular icons may not be directly editable or accessible, as they are part of ServiceNow's core UI libraries and frameworks.

However, you can still incorporate your own custom icons by uploading them via the db_image table and then referencing them within scripts, stylesheets, or Service Portal widgets.

Practical Use Cases

Understanding the storage of images in ServiceNow helps in multiple practical scenarios:

• Customizing the Service Portal: Enhance your user experience by adding brand-specific images or intuitive icons to widgets.

• Form Enhancements: Provide clear visual indicators for form statuses, priorities, or custom labels to improve form clarity and user interaction.

• Branding Applications: Create a consistent look-and-feel across your instance by using approved, branded imagery.

Alternative Methods to Manage Images

While the default method (using db_image) is straightforward, you might also consider:

• Attachments Table: Storing images as attachments linked to records, especially if they’re closely related to specific data entities.

• Third-party Storage: Integrating external image hosting solutions, though this requires careful consideration regarding security and compliance.

Each method has its pros and cons depending on your requirements related to performance, security, and ease of management.

Conclusion

Knowing exactly where images and icons reside within ServiceNow simplifies content management, improves branding consistency, and streamlines form enhancements. The db_image table acts as a centralized repository, ensuring quick and straightforward access to visual assets.

Next Steps for ServiceNow Users:

• Regularly review your db_image table to maintain image relevancy and remove outdated or unused items.

• Incorporate standard naming conventions for easy retrieval and management of images.

• Leverage ServiceNow’s built-in image picker tool to quickly select and manage available visual assets for your custom applications and Service Portals.

By effectively managing images and icons, you'll create a more engaging, visually consistent, and user-friendly ServiceNow environment.