Difference between pa_dashboards and par_dashboards tables?

[skhaire]

Hi everyone,

I had a question regarding Performance Analytics dashboards and was hoping someone could clarify.

What is the difference between pa_dashboards and par_dashboards tables in ServiceNow?

In my PDI, I can see both of these tables present, even though Classic Reporting appears to be disabled. This has caused some confusion about their respective purposes and when each is used.

• Are both tables actively used in newer versions?

• Is one related to legacy (Classic) reporting and the other to Workspace/Next Experience dashboards?

• Should we prefer one over the other for new implementations?

Any insights or documentation references would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[Purvi Kotadiya]

pa_dashboards

• This table is used by Platform Analytics (Analytics Center).

• It stores Next Experience / Workspace dashboards created in Platform Analytics.

• These dashboards are built using Data Visualizations, not classic report widgets.

• Actively used in newer releases and is the future‑state dashboard framework.

 This is the table you should expect to be used in modern implementations.

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par_dashboards

• This table belongs to Performance Analytics – Reporting (PA Reporting / Classic Analytics).

• It was historically used for PA dashboards built in the legacy/Core UI.

• Closely tied to Classic dashboards and PA widgets.

• Even when Classic Reporting is disabled, the table may remain:

  • For backward compatibility

  • For migrated or compatibility‑mode content

  • Because the platform does not physically remove legacy tables

 In most newer Platform Analytics implementations, this table is not actively used for new content.

[Tanushree Maiti]

Feature	pa_dashboard	PAR Dashboards (par_dashboard)
Definition	pa_dashboards table stores all the dashboards (responsive or non responsive) created at an instance. This table is the core table to store info about dashboards	par_dashboard Contains all dashboards in the dashboard library. Technical dashboards can be identified by belonging to the Advanced Dashboards experience. Extends sys_metadata.
Dashboard table	Dashboards created in the classic environment (Core UI) and not migrated.	Dashboards created in Platform Analytics experience or migrated to it.
Full Name	Performance Analytics Dashboards	Performance Analytics & Reports
Purpose	legacy dashboards are stored in pa_dashboard	new Platform Analytics Experience (PAe) are stored in par_dashboard table.