Reporting Basics in ServiceNow is a fundamental skill for Certified System Administrators that enables effective data visualization and decision-making across the platform. ServiceNow provides robust reporting capabilities that allow users to create, customize, and share reports based on data store…Reporting Basics in ServiceNow is a fundamental skill for Certified System Administrators that enables effective data visualization and decision-making across the platform. ServiceNow provides robust reporting capabilities that allow users to create, customize, and share reports based on data stored in tables throughout the instance.
Reports in ServiceNow can be created through the Report Designer, accessible via the Reports module in the Application Navigator. Users can build various report types including bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, pivot tables, calendars, maps, and list reports. Each report type serves different purposes - bar charts excel at comparing categories, while trend reports help track changes over time.
The report creation process involves selecting a data source (table), choosing the report type, defining grouping and aggregation criteria, and applying filters to narrow down the dataset. Administrators can use conditions to filter data based on specific field values, dates, or user-defined criteria.
Sharing and collaboration are essential aspects of ServiceNow reporting. Reports can be shared with individuals, groups, or made public for all users. Reports can also be added to homepages and dashboards, providing quick access to critical information. The scheduling feature allows automatic report generation and distribution via email at specified intervals.
Security plays a crucial role in reporting. Access Control Lists (ACLs) determine what data users can see in reports, ensuring sensitive information remains protected. Users can only report on data their roles permit them to view.
Dashboards combine multiple reports and widgets into a single view, offering comprehensive visibility into key metrics. Interactive dashboards allow drilling down into data for deeper analysis.
Performance Analytics extends basic reporting with advanced capabilities like scorecards, indicators, and breakdowns for monitoring KPIs over time. Understanding these reporting fundamentals helps administrators deliver valuable insights to stakeholders and support data-driven organizational decisions.
Reporting Basics in ServiceNow
Why Reporting Basics is Important
Reporting is a fundamental feature in ServiceNow that enables organizations to analyze data, track performance metrics, and make informed business decisions. For the CSA exam, understanding reporting basics is essential because it demonstrates your ability to help stakeholders visualize and interpret platform data effectively.
What is Reporting in ServiceNow?
ServiceNow Reporting is a built-in feature that allows users to create, view, and share reports based on data stored in the platform. Reports can display information from any table in the system, providing insights into incidents, changes, problems, assets, and more.
Key Report Types: • Bar Charts - Compare values across categories • Pie Charts - Show proportional data • Line Charts - Display trends over time • List Reports - Tabular data presentation • Pivot Tables - Cross-tabulated data analysis • Single Score - Display a single metric value • Gauges - Show progress toward goals
How Reporting Works
1. Data Source: Reports pull data from ServiceNow tables using the selected table and conditions
2. Report Designer: Users access Reports > Create New to build reports using a wizard-based interface
3. Filters and Conditions: Apply conditions to narrow down the data displayed in reports
4. Grouping: Organize data by specific fields (e.g., group incidents by priority or assignment group)
5. Aggregation: Use functions like Count, Sum, Average to calculate values
6. Sharing: Reports can be shared via email, published to homepages, or added to dashboards
Key Concepts to Remember:
• Interactive Reports: Users can drill down into report data by clicking on chart elements • Scheduled Reports: Reports can be scheduled to run and distribute via email automatically • Report Security: Access to reports is controlled by roles and ACLs on underlying data • Dashboards: Collections of reports and widgets displayed on a single page • Performance Analytics: Advanced reporting module for KPIs and trending (separate from basic reporting)
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Reporting Basics
1. Know the navigation path: Reports are created through Reports > Create New in the Application Navigator
2. Understand report types: Be familiar with when to use each chart type - bar charts for comparisons, pie charts for proportions, line charts for trends
3. Remember the Report Designer steps: Select table, choose report type, configure data settings, apply style options
4. Group vs Stack: Know the difference - grouping organizes data by a field, stacking adds another dimension within groups
5. Interactive features: Remember that users can click report elements to drill down into underlying data
6. Sharing options: Be aware that reports can be published to homepages, added to dashboards, or scheduled for email distribution
7. Common exam scenarios: Questions often ask about creating reports on the Incident table, grouping by Priority or State, and using Count aggregation
8. Read carefully: Pay attention to whether questions ask about basic reporting features versus Performance Analytics capabilities
9. Default behavior: Know that reports respect ACLs, meaning users only see data they have permission to access
10. Practice in PDI: Hands-on experience creating different report types will help you answer scenario-based questions confidently