Boost Your Productivity with ServiceNow Syntax Editor Macros

Introduction

If you’re a developer working in ServiceNow, you’ve likely spent hours writing or reusing the same blocks of code. ServiceNow’s Syntax Editor Macros are a powerful tool designed to eliminate this repetitive work. By defining custom text shortcuts, you can instantly insert reusable code snippets into the Script Editor, boosting your speed and consistency.

What Are Syntax Editor Macros?

Syntax Editor Macros are predefined shortcuts that auto-expand into code inside ServiceNow’s Script Editor. They are triggered by typing a keyword prefixed with a colon (:), such as :log, which can expand into a gs.info() log line. or after writing syntax macro name you can just press tab button.

They’re particularly useful for:

Logging templates
GlideRecord queries
Reusable function templates
Security best practices

How to Create a Syntax Editor Macro

Creating a new macro is simple and requires no scripting knowledge:

Navigate to:
System Definition > Syntax Editor Macros
Click New
Fill out the following fields:
- Name: The shortcut you will type (e.g., :log)
- Description: Explain what the macro does
- Script: The full code to insert when triggered
- Active: Ensure this is checked
- Applies to: Choose the types of scripts where it will be available (e.g., Client Scripts, Business Rules)
Click Submit

Now, any time you type your macro name (like :log) in the Script Editor, it will auto-expand to your defined code.

Example: GlideRecord Macro

Macro Name: :gr
Script:

javascriptCopyEditvar gr = new GlideRecord('table_name');
gr.addQuery('field', 'value');
gr.query();
while (gr.next()) {
   // your code here
}

Using :gr in the editor now inserts the above snippet automatically.

Where Can You Use Syntax Editor Macros?

Syntax Editor Macros are available in most script-editing fields across ServiceNow, including:

Business Rules
Client Scripts
Script Includes
UI Actions
Workflow Scripts
And more

Tips for Managing Macros

✅ Use short, memorable names (e.g., :u, :gr)
✅ Document each macro with clear descriptions
✅ Organize macros by type (client/server)
✅ Test in development before enabling in production
❌ Avoid overly complex macros that hide critical logic

Benefits of Syntax Editor Macros

Feature	Benefit
Time-saving	Write code faster with shortcuts
Consistency	Reduce copy-paste errors
Reusability	Standardize best practices
Accessibility	Available in all script editors

Conclusion

Syntax Editor Macros are one of the simplest yet most effective tools available to ServiceNow developers. Whether you’re logging messages, querying records, or setting up loops, macros can save you time and improve consistency across your codebase. Start building your own set today and make your script editor work smarter, not harder.

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