---
title: Use the REST API Explorer
description: In this tutorial you will use the REST API Explorer to test the ServiceNow REST APIs.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/use-REST-API-Explorer.html
release: australia
product: REST API Explorer
classification: rest-api-explorer
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [REST APIs, Web services, API implementation, API implementation and reference]
---

# Use the REST API Explorer

In this tutorial you will use the REST API Explorer to test the ServiceNow REST APIs.

The REST API Explorer allows you to discover ServiceNow REST APIs, quickly construct and execute requests, and view responses from ServiceNow REST APIs within your browser. Before beginning, ensure that your user account has the rest\_api\_explorer role. This role is required to complete the example procedures. For additional information on assigning roles, see [Managing roles](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/platform-administration/ua-creating-roles.md).

-   **[Access the REST API Explorer](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/t_GetStartedAccessExplorer.md)**  
View available REST API resources using the REST API Explorer.
-   **[Create an incident record](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/t_GetStartedCreateInt.md)**  
Use a POST request to create a new record.
-   **[Read the inserted incident](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/t_GetStartedReadInt.md)**  
Use a GET request to view a record.
-   **[Retrieve existing incidents](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/t_GetStartedRetrieveExisting.md)**  
Use a GET request to view existing incident records.
-   **[Update the incident](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/get-started-update-incident.md)**  
Update the incident record using either a PUT or PATCH function.
-   **[Delete the incident](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/t_GetStartedDeleteInt.md)**  
Delete the incident using a DELETE request.
-   **[Explore the REST API for a table](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/explore-rest-api-for-table.md)**  
You can explore the REST API for a table directly from that table. Explore the API using the REST API Explorer to quickly construct and test REST requests for that table.
-   **[Export to OpenAPI specification](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/export-openapi-specification.md)**  
Export a REST API as an OpenAPI specification to import it into another web services tool.

**Parent Topic:**[REST APIs](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/rest-api-explorer/c_RESTAPI.md)