Define or update a naming pattern for a related template

---
title: Define or update a naming pattern for a related template
description: Define a JavaScript expression to control how configuration items \(CIs\) are named when they are created from a related template. Naming patterns can include literal text, token library variables, conditionals, and string transformations.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/define-update-naming-pattern.html
release: australia
product: Telecommunications Network Inventory
classification: telecommunications-network-inventory
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-11-06"
reading_time_minutes: 4
breadcrumb: [Create inventory template for network asset instantiation, Use, Telecommunications Network Inventory]
---

# Define or update a naming pattern for a related template

Define a JavaScript expression to control how configuration items \(CIs\) are named when they are created from a related template. Naming patterns can include literal text, token library variables, conditionals, and string transformations.

## Before you begin

Role required: inventory\_template\_manager.

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to the SOW workspace or the Network Inventory workspace.

    1.  Go to **List** > **Network Inventory Templates** > **Inventory Templates**.

    2.  Select the inventory template that contains the related template you want to update.

2.  Open the related template record.

    From the inventory template, select the **Related Templates** tab. Locate the related template you want to update and select its name to open the record.

    Alternatively, select the **Overview** tab and select the related template's node in the tree. Select **View details** to open the related template record in a new tab.

3.  Open the name pattern editor for the related template.

    1.  On the related template record's form, locate the **Name Pattern** field.

    2.  Select the **Define name pattern** button.

    The Define name pattern modal opens. The modal shows the current pattern, if one exists, in the **Name pattern** input.

    **Note:** The **Define name pattern** button is visible only to users with the Inventory Template Manager role. Users without this role see the **\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`** field as read-only.

4.  Edit the pattern in the **Name pattern** input.

    Enter or update the JavaScript expression that produces the CI name. The pattern can combine literal text, variables, string methods such as `.replace()`, and conditional logic using the ternary operator.

    For the full pattern syntax, see [Inventory template name generation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/how-inventory-template-names-are-generated.md).

5.  Insert a variable from the token library.

    1.  Place the cursor in the **Name pattern** input.

        The list of available variables opens automatically.

    2.  Select a variable from the list to insert it into the pattern at your cursor position.

6.  Review the inline pattern feedback.

    As you edit the pattern, the modal displays inline feedback below the **Name pattern** input:

    -   **Pattern valid**

        A green message appears: `Valid name pattern. Preview: <resolved name>`. The name shown after `Preview:` is a sample of what your pattern produces, using sample values for the pattern's variables.

    -   **Pattern invalid or empty result**

        A red message appears: `Name pattern results in empty name. Please try again.` The **Apply** action is blocked. The same message appears whether the pattern has invalid JavaScript, references a variable that is not in the token library, or evaluates to an empty string.

7.  Refresh the inline feedback by selecting **Preview**.

    Selecting **Preview** re-runs the pattern and updates the sample name shown in the green message.

8.  Add the pattern to the Name Pattern field by selecting **Apply**.

    The modal closes. The **Name Pattern** field shows the new pattern. The record form indicates you have unsaved changes.

    **Note:** **Apply** does not save the record. The pattern stays in the form until you save the record.

9.  Save the related template record.


## What to do next

Confirm the pattern produces the expected resolved name:

1.  Open the parent inventory template.
2.  Select the **Overview** tab.
3.  Select **Refresh**.

The tree updates to show the resolved names. For more information, see [Inventory template hierarchy view](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/inventory-template-overview-tab.md).

**Parent Topic:**[Create inventory template for network asset instantiation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/preparing-inv-templates-network-asset-generation.md)

**Related topics**  


[Inventory template naming patterns](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/naming-patterns-in-inventory-templates.md)

[Model and template naming](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/how-models-and-templates-define-names.md)

[Inventory template name generation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/how-inventory-template-names-are-generated.md)

[Inventory template hierarchy view](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/inventory-template-overview-tab.md)

[Extension point for custom name validation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/extension-point-custom-naming-validation.md)

[Name pattern validation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/telecom-network-inventory/telecommunications-network-inventory/naming-pattern-validation.md)