---
title: Configure an empty state
description: Configure an empty state to inform users that a page currently does not contain data. Add an image, text, and buttons to customize the empty state and improve the user experience.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/mobile/empty-state-default.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Empty state display, Mobile app components, Building mobile apps, Mobile Platform]
---

# Configure an empty state

Configure an empty state to inform users that a page currently does not contain data. Add an image, text, and buttons to customize the empty state and improve the user experience.

## Before you begin

Whether creating a default or specific empty state, the following items might be required if you plan to display an image or button:

-   An image from the Attachments \[sys\_attachment\] table.
-   Defined button actions from the Function \[sys\_sg\_button\] table. For more information, see [Configure a smart button](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/mobile/sg-studio-config-smart-button.md).

Role required: admin

## About this task

This task explains how to configure a default empty state used in all screens. For information about how to customize empty states for specific screens, see the following topics:

-   [Configure an empty state for a list screen](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/mobile/empty-state-list-screen.md).
-   [Configure an empty state for an embedded list in a record screen](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/mobile/empty-state-form-applet-embedded-list.md).
-   [Configure an empty state for search results](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/mobile/empty-state-search-results.md).

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **All** > **System Mobile** > **Mobile App Builder**.

    The Mobile App Builder opens in a new browser tab and displays the application scope selection screen.

2.  Search for the application scope you are working in and then select the name of the application scope.

    The Mobile App Builder categories home screen displays.

3.  Create an empty state record, then use the bridge to Mobile Card Builder \(MCB\) to configure the card that is referenced by the empty state record:

    1.  Select **All mobile records** in the menu.

    2.  From the Record type drop-down menu, select **Empty state \[sys\_sg\_empty\_state\]**, and then select **New**.

    3.  In the Empty State form, fill in the fields.

<table id="table_t2b_nm5_znb"><thead><tr><th>

Field

</th><th>

Value

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

Name

</td><td>

Title for the record.

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

Description

</td><td>

Optional description of the record.

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

Active

</td><td>

Option for enabling the display of the card setup within the empty state. Select the toggle to make the empty state record active.

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

Card

</td><td>

Select **Choose** to select an existing card that is referenced by the empty state record or select **New** to create a card.

 You are taken to MCB to configure the card.

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>    **Note:**

    Empty states can also be selected or created in the record editing screen in Mobile App Builder \(MAB\) for the following record types:

    -   List screen
    -   Map screen
    -   Custom map screen
    -   Search config
    -   Mobile app config
4.  In MCB, select the card you want to be referenced by the empty state record.

5.  Select **Use this card**.

    You are automatically returned to MAB.

6.  In MAB, select **Save** to save the empty state record.


## Result

An empty state displays in any screen that does not contain data.