Now.ref
Now.ref() creates a reference to a record in another table. Use it when a field needs to point to a record that isn't defined in the current file — for example, referencing a role, a flow, or any record identified by its sys_id or coalesce keys.
ReferenceVariable
Creates a reference lookup variable for service catalog forms. Use when users need to select a record from another table (e.g., a user, group, or configuration item) via a searchable lookup field. Add a ReferenceVariable to a CatalogItem or VariableSet via the variables property.