How to set variables read only in variables editors of task extended tables

On the Now platform, we have the option of adding variable editors in tables extended from task. For more information on how to set one, please see the documentation: Configure the default variable editor for a task-extended table

Here, we learn how to set the variables read-only that get displayed in the variable editor in the form view of these tables.

Let's consider "Change Request" as one of the task-extended tables.

1. Open any active change request record and under the header "Additional Options" (or right-click), go to Configure > Form Layout.
2. Look for an out-of-the-box setup "Change Variable Editor" (as shown in the below screenshot):
   
   
   
   
   • This is actually a UI Formatter. add this editor to your form in the desired section.
3. Back in the form, this variable editor will display variables of the record producer (from where this change request was created in the first place).
4. Navigate to Service Catalog > Record Producers. Look for the respective record producer and open it.
5. In the Variables related list, you will see the list of variables defined (and of course, these hold the values in the existing change request).
6. Open the variable that you prefer to keep read-only for certain users (can be all the variables, as per business requirement).
7. Check whether you have the Write roles field available. If not, then add this field from the form layout configuration (Configure > Form Layout).
8. This field gives you the option of which set of roles you want the users to only have "write" access on this variable.
   
   

Example:

1. There is a business requirement that requires all non-admin users to have read-only access to the variable in the variable editor.
2. For that, you would select "admin" as the right role for "Write roles".
3. Once added (in the Selected section), click Done to save the variable form.
4. Try impersonating (or logging in as) a non-admin user and opening the same change request (make sure the user has access to the table and their fields).
   • You will notice that the variable is in "read-only" mode in the variable editor.
   • Sample screenshot:
     

Please refer to our product documentation: Apply permissions to a service catalog variable