Skip to page contentSkip to chat
ServiceNow support
    • Community
      Ask questions, give advice, and connect with fellow ServiceNow professionals.
      Developer
      Build, test, and deploy applications
      Documentation
      Find detailed information about ServiceNow products, apps, features, and releases.
      Impact
      Accelerate ROI and amplify your expertise.
      Learning
      Build skills with instructor-led and online training.
      Partner
      Grow your business with promotions, news, and marketing tools
      ServiceNow
      Learn about ServiceNow products & solutions.
      Store
      Download certified apps and integrations that complement ServiceNow.
      Support
      Manage your instances, access self-help, and get technical support.
The specified directory service attribute or value does not exist error on Create Ad Object orchestration activity - Support and Troubleshooting
  • >
  • Knowledge Base
  • >
  • Support and Troubleshooting (Knowledge Base)
  • >
  • The specified directory service attribute or value does not exist error on Create Ad Object orchestration activity
KB0713097

The specified directory service attribute or value does not exist error on Create Ad Object orchestration activity


9246 Views Last updated : Jul 24, 2025 public Copy Permalink English (Original)
  • English (Original)
  • Japanese
KB Summary by Now Assist

Issue

When you use Create AD Object activity and pass certain values on the ObjectData field such as SN (for surname) you get the following error on the ECC message:

<error>The specified directory service attribute or value does not exist.Stack Trace:    at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.CommitChanges()at CommitChanges(Object , Object[] )at System.Management.Automation.DotNetAdapter.AuxiliaryMethodInvoke(Object target, Object[] arguments, MethodInformation methodInformation, Object[] originalArguments)</error>

Release

Microsoft Active Directory

Cause

Create AD Object only supports an Object with generic properties, Surname isn't one.

Resolution

You must remove the unsupported object from the ObjectData field.

A list of supported properties can be listed using the command:  Get-ADObject -Properties * -Filter "samaccountname -like 'zervicenow'"

Example:
PS C:\Users\Administrator.SUPPORTLABAUTO> Get-ADObject -Properties * -Filter "samaccountname -like 'zervicenow'"
accountExpires                  : 9223372036854775807
CanonicalName                   : supportlabauto.service-now.com/Users/zervicenow
CN                              : zervicenow
codePage                        : 0
countryCode                     : 0
Created                         : 9/19/2018 7:29:37 AM
createTimeStamp                 : 9/19/2018 7:29:37 AM
Deleted                         :
Description                     :
DisplayName                     :
DistinguishedName               : CN=zervicenow,CN=Users,DC=supportlabauto,DC=service-now,DC=com
dSCorePropagationData           : {12/31/1600 4:00:00 PM}
givenName                       : MOZART
instanceType                    : 4
isDeleted                       :
LastKnownParent                 :
Modified                        : 9/19/2018 7:29:52 AM
modifyTimeStamp                 : 9/19/2018 7:29:52 AM
Name                            : zervicenow
nTSecurityDescriptor            : System.DirectoryServices.ActiveDirectorySecurity
ObjectCategory                  : CN=Person,CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=supportlabauto,DC=service-now,DC=com
ObjectClass                     : user
ObjectGUID                      : 6e8346ee-9ab5-45d1-a428-a1e7b0743900
objectSid                       : S-1-5-21-4064951249-3552310721-759615066-1400
primaryGroupID                  : 513
ProtectedFromAccidentalDeletion : False
pwdLastSet                      : 0
sAMAccountName                  : zervicenow
sAMAccountType                  : 805306368
sDRightsEffective               : 15
street                          : Mr
userAccountControl              : 546
uSNChanged                      : 4140968
uSNCreated                      : 4140968
whenChanged                     : 9/19/2018 7:29:52 AM
whenCreated                     : 9/19/2018 7:29:37 AM

Related Links

For complex AD operations, you must use the Run Powershell Activity.


The world works with ServiceNow.

Sign in for more! There's more content available only to authenticated users Sign in for more!
Did this KB article help you?
Did this KB article help you?

How would you rate your Now Support digital experience?

*

Very unsatisfied

Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

Very satisfied

Very unsatisfied

Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

Very satisfied

What can we improve? Please select all that apply.

What are we doing well? Please select all that apply.

Tell us more

*

Do you expect a response from this feedback?

  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • GDPR
  • Cookie policy
  • © 2025 ServiceNow. All rights reserved.