Any difference in performance when using tables, data sources, or database views in reporting?

[mikkojuola]

Hi, all reporting (and performance) experts!

In case you have tables with loads of data and you need to create reports that should only include some of the records. What is the best, and most efficient, way to create the report?

Does it make any difference in performance if you use:

1. Use Table (directly) as a data source and apply filters to limit the records

2. Use a Report Source / Data Source on a report to apply the same filters

3. Create a database view with the same filter as a where clause, and use that DB view on a report?

What about utilizing table extensions and splitting the original data set into different, extended tables based on some conditions (the same filters again). And then, create the report using this new extended table as a data source? This approach, of course, impacts other things as well, like how the data is being created, but from a performance point of view, I would assume it's more efficient to query the extended table that only includes some of the records versus the parent table using a filter to include same records.

Ps. I'm talking about the "basic reporting" here. Not Performance Analytics nor the new reports available in the Next Experience / Workspaces.

Cheers,

--Mikko

[AndersBGS]

Hi @mikkojuola ,

Have you read through the best practice in reporting by Adam Stout? This will give you a good indication on best practices: https://www.servicenow.com/community/platform-analytics-articles/best-practices-reporting/ta-p/23036...

If my answer has helped with your question, please give a thumb up and mark my answer as accepted solution.

best regards

Anders

[mikkojuola]

Thank you Anders.

This was a helpful article and that led to other helpful articles like this one talking about "Performance Best Practice for Efficient Queries".

I was not able to find an answer to my original question, but good information anyways.

[mikkojuola]

Hi, @ServiceNowPerformanceGTS

I'm not sure if I can "mention" the ServiceNowPerformanceGTS group, but I would really like to get your view on this one.

Cheers,

--Mikko