Custom app record summarization skill
The ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for the contents of records in custom applications and tables.
Record summarization overview
Starting with version 28.2.4 of ServiceNow Otto for App Engine, you can use the custom app record summarization skill. The skill uses generative AI to generate summaries for records in custom tables and applications. Record summarization enables you to learn important details and context about a record quickly, helping to save you time and reduce repeated efforts.
The custom app record summarization skill is configurable, enabling you to define the data, experience, and access for the summaries that it generates. You can specify the tables and fields that you want to summarize. You can also include additional data sources, such as emails and attachments, to use when generating summaries. You can then define which users have access to the summaries. Learn more about the custom app record summarization skill and how you can configure it to work for your custom applications in the following sections.
Data sources
The custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for records in any table that's created within a custom application. The application can be global or scoped.
You can configure the skill to summarize as many tables as needed for your custom application. During the configuration process, you define which table or tables you want the skill to summarize. For each table that you select, you must define the fields that should be included in the summaries and provide additional context about the fields that you selected.
For example, let's say that you want to summarize the records in a table for your paid time off (PTO) request application. You select the table that stores details about each employee's PTO request, such as the dates that the employee is requesting time off from work and the approval status of the request. When you select the fields that you want to include in the AI-generated summaries, you must enter a description for each field. Field descriptions provide additional information and context about the purpose of the field, helping the skill to generate summaries that are more accurate. The following table illustrates how to write field descriptions for generative AI-powered summaries.
| Field in the PTO request table | Field description |
|---|---|
| PTO start date | Date that the employee's PTO begins. Date is in MM-DD-YYYY format. |
| PTO end date | Date that the employee's PTO ends. Date is in MM-DD-YYYY format. |
| Approval status | Field that indicates whether the PTO request has been approved, denied, or hasn't been reviewed yet. |
Additional data sources
The custom app record summarization skill can include additional data sources when generating a summary of a record, such as:
- Related tables
- Relationships
- Emails
- Attachments
For each related table or relationship that you add, you must provide the fields and field descriptions that you want included in the generated summaries. Activities, such as emails and attachments, don't have fields that you can select and configure. If you select either email or attachment as an additional data source to include in a summary, the skill attempts to fetch that data at the time that the summary is generated. If an email or attachment is present within the record, the skill includes that information in the summary that it generates. Otherwise, the summary is generated without the email or attachment.
Important: Record summarization that includes an attachment has a greater assist usage. To track your AI usage, see Monitoring Now Assist usage in Subscription Management.
Display options
You can choose where you want record summarization to be available to your application users during the skill configuration process. The display options that you can select are: in-product, ServiceNow Otto® panel, or both.
Note: The display options that you choose applies to every application that uses the ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill.
-
In-product
When selected, AI-generated summaries are displayed on forms and workspaces.
For more information about adding record summarization to a workspace, see the following resources:
-
ServiceNow Otto® panel
When selected, AI summaries are accessible through chat in the ServiceNow Otto® panel. If you don't see this option when configuring the skill, you must activate the ServiceNow Otto® panel. For more information, see Turn on the Now Assist panel.
Access
You can define which users and groups have access to generate AI summaries. During configuration, you can add roles and conditions that restrict when and for whom the skill is available. You can also customize whether certain roles have access to a particular display option.
Parent Topic:Exploring ServiceNow Otto for App Engine
---
title: Custom app record summarization skill
description: The ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for the contents of records in custom applications and tables.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/now-assist-for-app-engine/custom-app-record-summarization-na-for-app-engine.html
release: australia
product: Now Assist for App Engine
classification: now-assist-for-app-engine
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 4
keywords: [ServiceNow Otto for App Engine, Generate summary, custom table record summarization, Now Assist for App Engine, AI skill, AI in custom apps, table summary generation]
breadcrumb: [Explore, ServiceNow Otto for App Engine, Run, AI Workflow Factory Prime, Agentic app development, Building applications]
---
# Custom app record summarization skill
The ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for the contents of records in custom applications and tables.
## Record summarization overview
Starting with version 28.2.4 of ServiceNow Otto for App Engine, you can use the custom app record summarization skill. The skill uses generative AI to generate summaries for records in custom tables and applications. Record summarization enables you to learn important details and context about a record quickly, helping to save you time and reduce repeated efforts.
The custom app record summarization skill is configurable, enabling you to define the data, experience, and access for the summaries that it generates. You can specify the tables and fields that you want to summarize. You can also include additional data sources, such as emails and attachments, to use when generating summaries. You can then define which users have access to the summaries. Learn more about the custom app record summarization skill and how you can configure it to work for your custom applications in the following sections.
## Data sources
The custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for records in any table that's created within a custom application. The application can be global or scoped.
You can configure the skill to summarize as many tables as needed for your custom application. During the configuration process, you define which table or tables you want the skill to summarize. For each table that you select, you must define the fields that should be included in the summaries and provide additional context about the fields that you selected.
For example, let's say that you want to summarize the records in a table for your paid time off \(PTO\) request application. You select the table that stores details about each employee's PTO request, such as the dates that the employee is requesting time off from work and the approval status of the request. When you select the fields that you want to include in the AI-generated summaries, you must enter a description for each field. Field descriptions provide additional information and context about the purpose of the field, helping the skill to generate summaries that are more accurate. The following table illustrates how to write field descriptions for generative AI-powered summaries.
|Field in the PTO request table|Field description|
|------------------------------|-----------------|
|**PTO start date**|`Date that the employee's PTO begins. Date is in MM-DD-YYYY format.`|
|**PTO end date**|`Date that the employee's PTO ends. Date is in MM-DD-YYYY format.`|
|**Approval status**|`Field that indicates whether the PTO request has been approved, denied, or hasn't been reviewed yet.`|
## Additional data sources
The custom app record summarization skill can include additional data sources when generating a summary of a record, such as:
- Related tables
- Relationships
- Emails
- Attachments
For each related table or relationship that you add, you must provide the fields and field descriptions that you want included in the generated summaries. Activities, such as emails and attachments, don't have fields that you can select and configure. If you select either email or attachment as an additional data source to include in a summary, the skill attempts to fetch that data at the time that the summary is generated. If an email or attachment is present within the record, the skill includes that information in the summary that it generates. Otherwise, the summary is generated without the email or attachment.
**Important:** Record summarization that includes an attachment has a greater assist usage. To track your AI usage, see [Monitoring Now Assist usage in Subscription Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/platform-administration/monitoring-now-assist-usage.md).
## Display options
You can choose where you want record summarization to be available to your application users during the skill configuration process. The display options that you can select are: in-product, ServiceNow Otto® panel, or both.
**Note:** The display options that you choose applies to every application that uses the ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill.
- **In-product**
When selected, AI-generated summaries are displayed on forms and workspaces.
For more information about adding record summarization to a workspace, see the following resources:
- [Customize UI Builder pages using components](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/ui-builder/work-components.md)
- [Components documentation for the AI summary card](https://horizon.servicenow.com/workspace/components/now-ai-summary-card?release=zurich)
- [UI Builder setup documentation for the AI summary card](https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/reference/next-experience/zurich/now-components/now-ai-summary-card/uib-setup)
- **ServiceNow Otto® panel**
When selected, AI summaries are accessible through chat in the ServiceNow Otto® panel. If you don't see this option when configuring the skill, you must activate the ServiceNow Otto® panel. For more information, see [Turn on the Now Assist panel](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/intelligent-experiences/activate-now-assist-panel.md).
## Access
You can define which users and groups have access to generate AI summaries. During configuration, you can add roles and conditions that restrict when and for whom the skill is available. You can also customize whether certain roles have access to a particular display option.
**Parent Topic:**[Exploring ServiceNow Otto for App Engine](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/now-assist-for-app-engine/exploring-now-assist-for-app-generation-enterprise.md)
| title | Custom app record summarization skill |
| description | The ServiceNow Otto for App Engine custom app record summarization skill can generate summaries for the contents of records in custom applications and tables. |
| locale | en-US |
| canonical_url | https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/now-assist-for-app-engine/custom-app-record-summarization-na-for-app-engine.html |
| release | australia |
| product | Now Assist for App Engine |
| classification | now-assist-for-app-engine |
| topic_type | concept |
| last_updated | 2026-09-10 |
| reading_time_minutes | 4 |
| keywords | ServiceNow Otto for App EngineGenerate summarycustom table record summarizationNow Assist for App EngineAI skillAI in custom appstable summary generation |
| breadcrumb | ExploreServiceNow Otto for App EngineRunAI Workflow Factory PrimeAgentic app developmentBuilding applications |