Edit APM data charts on Service Observability dashboard templates

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
  • Edit Service Observability dashboard templates to view different APM vendor metrics on the Overview or Observability tabs' charts.

    About this task

    When creating an APM chart, you can use the query builder to create simple queries or use the advanced mode to create more substantial queries.

    Use simple queries to return metrics associated with services, hosts, and databases. The returned metrics are aggregated across the time window set by the user.

    Use advanced query mode to cut and paste queries from existing APM charts into Service Observability. For most APM vendors, you can simply copy a query from an existing chart in your APM instance.

    Both query types support template variables that let you use the same query to return metrics for multiple entity instances.

    Before you begin

    Role required: sn_sow_svcobs.admin

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to Workspaces > Service Operations Workspace and then navigate to a service record.
      You can access a service record from these pages in the SOW:
      • Services list: Choose a service from the list.
      • Service dashboard: Choose a service in the dashboard and select Service Details.
      • List: Navigate to Application Services > Services and select a service.
      • Express list alert: Select a service from the Impacted services column.
      The Service Details page opens and the Overview tab is displayed.
      If charts are displaying error messages, see Chart error states.
    2. Open the template in editing mode.
      • If you're editing a certified template, select Duplicate.
      • If you're editing a custom template, select Edit.
      Note:
      Duplicating a certified template keeps you from overwriting it and also lets you reinstall it.
      The new dashboard is titled with the words - Copy appended. Use the pencil icon to change the dashboard name.
    3. To do basic editing, such as rearranging, resizing, or deleting charts, follow the instructions for Edit Platform Analytics dashboard elements.
    4. To add an APM query for a new chart, follow these steps:
      1. In Edit mode, select Add new element and choose Data visualization > New visualization.
      2. In the Configuration panel, select Line for Visualization type and choose Add data source.
      3. In the Add data source page, open Service Observability in the navigation panel and select your APM vendor.
        Be sure to select the same APM vendor used on the template you're editing.
      4. Enter a query in the Metric card.

        Use the query builder to edit a simple APM-specific query.

        To copy a full query from your APM vendor chart, activate the Advanced switch and paste in a query from your APM vendor chart.

        For AWS and Azure, instead of entering a query in advanced mode, you can import selected charts from an existing dashboard. Select Import from AWS/Azure Dashboard. Select a data source name, then select a dashboard and from the list of charts, select the one to import, then select Import query. The query for the chart is pasted into the Query box.

        Use template variables to replace any hard-coded entities or time periods to have the query return results that match both the service and time period selected in the UI.

        Note:
        Use the Docs link to refer to the APM-specific documentation for help with creating the query.
      5. To preview your query, select Run and then choose a service and entity.
      6. When satisfied with your query, select Add this source to add the chart to the template.
    5. To edit an existing query, follow these steps.
      1. In Edit mode, select the chart to edit.
      2. In the Data sources section of the Configuration panel, use the More actions menu to select Edit.
      3. In the Edit data source page, edit the query in the Metric card.

        Use the query builder to create a simple APM-specific query.

        To copy a full query from your APM vendor chart, activate the Advanced switch and paste in a query from your APM vendor chart.

        For AWS and Azure, instead of entering a query in advanced mode, you can import selected charts from an existing dashboard. Select Import from AWS/Azure Dashboard. Select a data source name, then select a dashboard and from the list of charts, select the one to import, then select Import query. The query for the chart is pasted into the Query box.

        Use template variables to replace any hard-coded entities or time periods.
        Note:
        Use the Docs link to refer to the APM-specific documentation for help with creating the query.
      4. To preview your query, select a service and an entity and select Run.
      5. When satisfied with your query, select Apply to add the chart to the template.
    6. When done customizing, select Save and then Exit editing mode.
    7. To return the template to the default (Certified) version, use the More actions menu to select Return to certified.