Map report objects

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Map report objects

    Map report objects in ServiceNow define the hierarchical levels users can drill down into within a map report, along with the associated data displayed at each level. Administrators can create and manage these objects to configure how map reports present data. Each map report integrates two key hierarchies: themap source hierarchy, which configures the data at each map level, and themap hierarchy, which defines the drill-down levels on the map itself. TheLevelfield links these hierarchies, ensuring that data for a specific drill level corresponds to the correct map display.

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    ServiceNow provides predefined map sources and maps by default, which should be used whenever possible to simplify setup. If a required map source does not exist, administrators can generate it automatically—this auto-generation is available only for map sources referencing the location table (fields ending with .location).

    Key Features

    • Map Source: Represents the dataset shown in a map report at each drill level. A map source hierarchy consists of multiple levels, each corresponding to a drill level in the map. The top-level map source acts as a wrapper, while each subordinate level holds the actual data. Map sources specify a field to report on rather than a full table, similar to report sources.
    • Map: Defines the visual layout of the report data and is structured as a hierarchy via parent-child relationships. Each map level corresponds to a drill level in the report. Maps use JSON or geoJSON definitions for geographical data visualization. Conditions can be applied to maps to filter displayed data further.
    • Mappings: Allow transformation of map source data into values that can be displayed on the map. Mappings are grouped by geographical categories such as Countries or State/Province, and the selected mapping group must match the field specified in the map source (e.g., country-level data uses the Country mapping group).

    Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers

    Understanding and configuring map report objects enables administrators to create interactive, drillable map reports tailored to their organizational data. Using predefined map sources and maps accelerates report creation and ensures consistency. When custom map sources are required, the automatic generation feature streamlines setup, especially for location-based data. Proper configuration of mappings ensures that data values accurately translate into meaningful map visualizations, enhancing report clarity and usability.

    Related Tasks

    • Automatically generate a map source hierarchy
    • Customize a map source level
    • Create a key-value pair mapping
    • Create a map

    Map objects define the different levels that users can drill down into on a map report and the data displayed on these levels. Admins can create and manage these objects.

    Each map report contains a map source hierarchy, which configures the data for a map level. The report also contains a map hierarchy, which defines the map drill levels. The Level field connects levels for these hierarchies. For example, the data in the Level 1 map is displayed on the Level 1 map object.

    Note:
    A set of predefined map sources and maps are available by default. Use these predefined objects whenever possible. If you need a map source that does not exist, generate it automatically using Generate map source levels link on the map source form, then customize it. You can automatically generate map source levels only for map sources that reference the location table. These map sources have a field that ends in .location.
    Architecture of objects used in map reports.
    Table 1. Map objects
    Object Description
    Map source Defines a set of data to display on a map report.

    The map source that a user selects in the Map data field when creating a map report is actually a map source hierarchy. There is one map source level for each drill level on the map. The top map source in the hierarchy is not a level, but rather a wrapper for other hierarchy levels. Each map source contains the data for a single map hierarchy drill level, with both having the same Level.

    Because they both specify the data that is used for a report, a map source is similar to a report source. However, in a map source you select a field to report on instead of a table.
    Map The map that data is displayed on. Maps are set up in a hierarchy defined by parent-child relationships. Each hierarchy level is a drill level on the map report. A JSON definition (geoJSON definition for geographical maps) defines the actual map layout.

    Select an existing map or create a new one. You can optionally define conditions for a map, which further filters the data it displays.
    Mappings Transform the data in a map source to a value that can be displayed on a map.

    Mappings are organized into the Countries and State / Province mapping groups. During map source configuration, you select the mapping group to transform the data in that source. The mapping group that you select must match the Field that you have selected.

    For example, a map source that has a Field value of Locations Country would use the Country mappings group. A map source that has a Field value of Locations State / Province would use the Region and state mappings mapping group.