Chapter 5 of 6 · ServiceNow CAD

Working with External Data

Importing CSV and Excel files with import sets, and integrating with outside systems over REST.

  • 2topics
  • 10 minfast track
  • 1diagrams and exhibits
  • 10%of the exam
Start with Importing CSV and Excel Data

Topics in this chapter

Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.

  1. 1Importing CSV and Excel DataImport CSV and Excel data into a ServiceNow app for the CAD exam: data sources, Load Data, import set tables, transform maps…5 min
  2. 2Integrating with RESTREST integration for the ServiceNow CAD exam: REST Messages, RESTMessageV2, the REST API Explorer, Scripted REST APIs, status…Diagram5 min

About this chapter

What this chapter covers

Working with External Data is 10% of the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer exam. It covers the two ways an application gets data from outside the instance: loading a file, such as a CSV or Excel spreadsheet, and exchanging data with another system over REST.

Questions are short scenarios, recall questions or code-reading questions: a requirement is described and you pick the import setting, transform option, REST record, script method or status code that fits. Some are single-answer and some are multiple-select questions that state the count, such as "(Choose two.)". There are no exhibits.

How the topics fit together

SpreadsheetCSV or ExcelImport set tablestaging rowsTransform mapcoalesceApplication tableExternal systemoutbound RESTREST MessageHTTP methodsResponsestatus code, bodyExternal systeminbound RESTTable API or Scripted REST APIApplication table

A file import is a one-way load. The data is staged, checked and transformed into your application's tables. REST is a conversation: your application calls another system, or another system calls your application.

  • Import questions follow the order: data source, import set table, transform map, target table.
  • Coalesce questions ask whether a row updates an existing record or inserts a new one.
  • Outbound REST questions ask about REST Message records, HTTP methods and the RESTMessageV2 API.
  • Inbound REST questions ask about the Table API, Scripted REST APIs, ACLs and status codes.
Exam tip

First decide the direction. If the instance reads a file or calls out, think import set or REST Message. If an outside system calls in, think Table API or Scripted REST API.

How to use these pages

Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.

  • What it is: the idea in plain words.
  • How it works: the mechanism, with tables and examples.
  • What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorize and how questions are phrased.
  • Common mistakes: the classic traps.
  • Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.

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