— title: TaskStateUtil - Global description: The TaskStateUtil script include provides methods for working with task-type table state attributes.Creates a TaskStateUtil object.The name of the attribute that identifies default work state.The name of the attribute that identifies the default close state.The name of the attribute that identifies inactive states.The value of the default close state is Closed Complete on the Task table.The value of the default work state is Work in progress on the Task table.The values of the default inactive states: Closed Complete, Closed Incomplete, Closed Skipped on the Task table.Returns the value for the default closed state.Returns the value for the default work state.Returns a list of the inactive state values.Returns the active status of the specified state.Decides whether the mark closed business rule should be run or not.Decides whether the task closer business rule should be run or not.Decides whether the task reopener business rule should be run or not.Enables the user to specify their own default work state. locale: en-US canonical_url: www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/api-reference/server-api-reference/c_TaskStateUtil.html release: australia product: Server API Reference classification: server-api-reference topic_type: concept last_updated: “2026-03-12” reading_time_minutes: 4

breadcrumb: [Server API reference, API reference, API implementation and reference]

TaskStateUtil- Global

The TaskStateUtil script include provides methods for working with task-type table state attributes.

This script include is primarily used by the Task Active State Management business rule to set the active field based on state changes. Configurations are defined in the task.state dictionary element, usually using dictionary overrides since state values vary by table.

You can call the TaskStateUtil script include in any server script to determine inactive states, default work, or default close states for a table.

The required attributes are defined on the planned_task table so all planned task types are supported. We will eventually add the attributes to other task types and eventually the base task table. You are free to do this if you want to leverage this feature now.

These attributes can be defined on the task.state dictionary element or a dictionary override for extended task tables.

<table id=“table_hv2_51h_1s”><thead><tr><th>

Attribute

</th><th>

Definition

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>

close_states

</td><td>

Semicolon delimited list of state values that are inactive, used to identify whether the task should be set to active or inactive.

</td></tr><tr><td>

default_close_state

</td><td>

Optional. Attribute to define the state value of the default close state if you want to define business rules that automatically close a task. Default: 3, typically Closed Complete if attribute is not defined.

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default_work_state

</td><td>

Optional. Attribute to define the state value of the default working state if you want to define business rules that automatically set a task for working. Default: 2, typically Work in Progress if the attribute is not defined.

</td></tr></tbody> </table>Parent Topic:Server API reference

TaskStateUtil - TaskStateUtil(GlideRecord task)

Creates a TaskStateUtil object.

Name Type Description task GlideRecord This must be a GlideRecord from a task table.

var stateUtil = new TaskStateUtil(current);

TaskStateUtil - ATTR_DEFAULT_WORK

The name of the attribute that identifies default work state.

Name Type Description ATTR_DEFAULT_WORK String Identifies default work state. Value: default_work_state

TaskStateUtil - ATTR_DEFAULT_CLOSE

The name of the attribute that identifies the default close state.

Name Type Description ATTR_DEFAULT_CLOSE String Identifies the default close state. Value: default_close_state

TaskStateUtil - ATTR_INACTIVE_STATES

The name of the attribute that identifies inactive states.

Name Type Description ATTR_INACTIVE_STATES String Identifies inactive states. Value: close_states

TaskStateUtil - SYSTEM_DEFAULT_CLOSE

The value of the default close state is Closed Complete on the Task table.

Name Type Description SYSTEM_DEFAULT_CLOSE Integer Value of the default close state is Closed Complete on the Task table. Value: 3

TaskStateUtil - SYSTEM_DEFAULT_WORK

The value of the default work state is Work in progress on the Task table.

Name Type Description SYSTEM_DEFAULT_WORK Integer Value of the default work state is Work in progress on the Task table. Value: 2

TaskStateUtil - SYSTEM_INACTIVE_STATES

The values of the default inactive states: Closed Complete, Closed Incomplete, Closed Skipped on the Task table.

Name Type Description SYSTEM_INACTIVE_STATES Integer array Values of the default inactive states: Closed Complete, Closed Incomplete, Closed Skipped on the Task table. Value: 3, 4, 7

TaskStateUtil - getDefaultCloseState

Returns the value for the default closed state.

The default closed state value is 3 if the default_close_state attribute has not been specified.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Number State value representing the closed state.

var stateUtil = new TaskStateUtil(current);
//get the close state
var defaultCloseState =  stateUtil.getDefaultCloseState();
current.state = defaultCloseState;

TaskStateUtil - getDefaultWorkState()

Returns the value for the default work state.

The default work state value is 2 if the default_work_state attribute has not been specified.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Number The state value representing the working state.

var stateUtil = new TaskStateUtil(current);
//get the work state
var defaultWorkState =  stateUtil.getDefaultWorkState();
current.state = defaultWorkState;

TaskStateUtil - getInactiveStates

Returns a list of the inactive state values.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Array Array of state values that are inactive.

var stateUtil = new TaskStateUtil(current);
//get the inactive state values
var inactiveStates = stateUtil.getInactiveStates();

TaskStateUtil - isStateInactive(String state)

Returns the active status of the specified state.

Name Type Description state String The state value to check. Type Description Boolean True if the state is inactive.

var stateUtil = new TaskStateUtil(current);
var previousStateInactive = stateUtil.isStateInactive(previous.state);
var currentStateInactive = stateUtil.isStateInactive(current.state);

TaskStateUtil - runMarkClosed

Decides whether the mark closed business rule should be run or not.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Boolean Whether the business rule should be allowed to run or not.

TaskStateUtil - runTaskCloser

Decides whether the task closer business rule should be run or not.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Boolean Determines whether the business rule should be allowed to run or not.

TaskStateUtil - runTaskReopener

Decides whether the task reopener business rule should be run or not.

Name Type Description None     Type Description Boolean Whether the business rule should be allowed to run or not.

TaskStateUtil - setDefaultWorkState(String defaultWorkState)

Enables the user to specify their own default work state.

Name Type Description defaultWorkState String The value to use for the default work state. Type Description TaskStateUtil A self-reference to allow for method chaining.