Open apps and app files across scopes in ServiceNow Studio

concept australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read qs-open-apps-files-across-scopes.md

Open and edit apps and app files in any scope — global or custom — in ServiceNow Studio. The current scope displays at the bottom of the screen and updates automatically when you switch to an app in a different scope.

Tabs in ServiceNow Studio

Each app or file you open in ServiceNow Studio opens in its own tab, showing the file name, file type, and scope.

[Omitted image "sn-studio-integrated-tab-bs1.png"] Alt text: Each file opens in its own tab within ServiceNow Studio, showing the file type and the application the record is in.

If your browser window is narrow, open tabs may overflow. Select the more actions icon and choose Show Opened Editors to see a list of all open files. Select any file to open it in the canvas.

[Omitted image "sn-studio-open-tabs-bs1.png"] Alt text: Use the more actions menu to open a list of all opened files.

Update sets

The scope and update set associated with the current file appear at the bottom of the screen. Switch update sets or create one to package your changes.

[Omitted image "sn-studio-scope-update-set-bs1.png"] Alt text: The scope and update set associated with an open file are at the bottom of the screen.

Some builders override automatic scope switching. For example, when you use Table Builder to edit a form or table file, a message indicates that the scope is controlled by the builder.

[Omitted image "sn-studio-scope-builder.png"] Alt text: Some builders control the scope for apps open in ServiceNow Studio.

39 lines · 2.3 KB Wrap lines

---
title: Open apps and app files across scopes in ServiceNow Studio
description: Open and edit apps and app files in any scope — global or custom — in ServiceNow Studio. The current scope displays at the bottom of the screen and updates automatically when you switch to an app in a different scope.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/servicenow-studio-classic/qs-open-apps-files-across-scopes.html
release: australia
product: ServiceNow Studio Classic
classification: servicenow-studio-classic
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [ServiceNow Studio quick start, Explore, ServiceNow Studio, Build, AI Workflow Factory Prime, Agentic app development, Building applications]
---

# Open apps and app files across scopes in ServiceNow Studio

## Tabs in ServiceNow Studio

Each app or file you open in ServiceNow Studio opens in its own tab, showing the file name, file type, and scope.

\[Omitted image "sn-studio-integrated-tab-bs1.png"\] Alt text: Each file opens in its own tab within ServiceNow Studio, showing the file type and the application the record is in.

If your browser window is narrow, open tabs may overflow. Select the more actions icon and choose **Show Opened Editors** to see a list of all open files. Select any file to open it in the canvas.

\[Omitted image "sn-studio-open-tabs-bs1.png"\] Alt text: Use the more actions menu to open a list of all opened files.

## Update sets

The scope and update set associated with the current file appear at the bottom of the screen. Switch update sets or create one to package your changes.

\[Omitted image "sn-studio-scope-update-set-bs1.png"\] Alt text: The scope and update set associated with an open file are at the bottom of the screen.

Some builders override automatic scope switching. For example, when you use Table Builder to edit a form or table file, a message indicates that the scope is controlled by the builder.

\[Omitted image "sn-studio-scope-builder.png"\] Alt text: Some builders control the scope for apps open in ServiceNow Studio.