Variable set containing 'container start' / 'container split' / 'container end' does not show two column layout in service Portal - Known Error

Variable set containing 'container start' / 'container split' / 'container end' does not show two column layout in service Portal Description Two column layout does not work on a variable set if container variables are present within the set.

When there is a container variable in a variable set and the variable set layout is set to "2 columns wide, alternating sides" or "2 Columns wide, one side, then the other", then all the variables display in a single column, rather than two columns.

The same issue occurs even if the "2 Columns..." layout is set on the container variable itself instead of the variable set.

Steps to Reproduce

1. In the application navigator type 'sc_cat_item.list' 2. Open any catalog item (i.e. Apple iPad3) 3. Go to the 'Variable sets' related list 4. Click on the New button 5. Select single row variable set > give any title> Save ( right click on the header >save) i. Select 'Variables' related list ii. Click on 'New' —> First variable: Type: Container Start Name: give any name Order: 100 Save the variable.

—> Second Variable: Type : Reference Question: Name Name: name Order: 200 Under type specification : Reference: sys_user Save the variable.

—> Third Variable: Type: container split Order: 300 Save the variable.

—> Fourth Variable: Type: Single line text Question: email Name: email Order: 400 Save the variable.

—> Fifth Variable: Type: Container end Order: 500 Save the Variable.

6. Open the catalog item (in this case Apple ipda3) and click on the try it button on the top right

Notice the container split is working fine and Name and email are displayed in two different columns.

7. Open the same catalog item in service portal: .service-now.com/sp?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=

Name and email are displayed in a single column.

Workaround This is expected behaviour, as Variable Sets are also considered as Containers by design. So, a container start variable with a two-column layout under a variable set is not supported in Service Portal. The workaround is to remove the Container Start and End, and to keep the Container Split.

Ref. product documentation: https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/london-it-service-management/page/product/service-catalog-management/reference/r_VariableTypes.html#d191131e266

Further explanation from SN Product Management: https://community.servicenow.com/community?id=community_blog&sys_id=e00d2aa5dbd0dbc01dcaf3231f96194c