Options for time series data visualizations with multiple metrics

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated January 28, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Options for Time Series Data Visualizations with Multiple Metrics

    This guide explains how to effectively visualize multiple metrics in time series data. ServiceNow customers can customize the visualization by setting group by values, visualization types, and Y-axis scales for each metric, ensuring clarity and ease of interpretation.Key FeaturesSeparate Visualizations:Each metric can have its own visualization type, making it easier to read when using multiple data sources.Multiple Y-Axes:For metrics with differing value ranges, you can assign separate Y-axis scales. This feature should be used judiciously and each Y-axis should be clearly labeled.Custom Group By:Individual group-by values can be set for each metric, allowing for tailored data breakdowns. Alternative group-bys can be selected for up to three metrics.Follow Filters:The Follow filters option enables metrics to adhere to dashboard filters independently. This allows for customized filtering such as applying it to the Number of open problems while excluding the Average age of open problems.Key OutcomesBy leveraging these features, ServiceNow customers can create more comprehensible and actionable visualizations of their time series data. This enables better data analysis, enhancing decision-making and performance tracking across multiple metrics. Customers can expect improved readability and tailored insights by effectively utilizing the options available for visualization customization.

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    If you are showing multiple metrics in a time series data visualization, you can set the group by, visualization type, and Y-axis scale for each metric. You can also have filters on a dashboard apply only to specific metrics.

    Note:
    Additional data sources must use the same unit as the first metric. Otherwise, only the first metric is used in the visualization.

    Separate visualization for each metric

    When you have a data visualization with more than one data source, you have a separate metric for each data source. In time series data visualizations, you can select a separate visualization type for each metric, to make the visualization easier to read. In each Metric tile, selecting the visualization icon opens a list of visualization types to choose from.
    Metrics tile when there are 2 metrics, showing visualization selection menu.

    Multiple Y-axes

    In some time series, the difference between the range of values of metrics makes it difficult to read the metrics when they share the same Y-axis scale. In this case, you can have separate Y-axis scales for the metric. Add a Y-axis for a metric by selecting the More options icon in the metric tile. Be sparing with this function, however, because having too many Y-axis scales also makes the visualization difficult to read. Also, be sure to give a short but clear label for each Y-axis if you have more than one.
    Adding Y-axis visualizations for each metric.

    Group by per metric

    You can also set separate group-by values for each metric.
    Dialog setting different breakdowns for two different indicators as group-bys.
    If you have no more than three metrics, you can also set alternative group-bys. You can select any field or breakdown that can apply to any of your metrics. The dialog where you select the alternative group-bys says how many of your selections apply to each metric. In runtime, the viewer can select a group-by for each metric, but only from the choices that can apply to that metric.
    Selecting alternative group-bys for two metrics.

    Follow filters per metric

    If Follow filters is activated on a time series or bar visualization that shows multiple metrics, the configuration panel shows an expandable item called Follow filters per metric. Expand this item to toggle filter following on or off for each metric.

    For example, consider a bar visualization that shows the Number of open problems and the Average age of open problems. You can configure this visualization so that the Number of open problems follows any applicable filters on a dashboard, but the Average age of problems does not.
    Bar visualization configured so that of two metrics, one follows filters on a dashboard and one does not.