Report types

Learn about the different types of reports that you can create, and when and how to create them.

Watch this four-minute video to learn how to create and configure a report visualization.

You can generate the following types of reports, organized by category:

• Bar reports enable you to compare scores across data dimensions.
• Pie and Donut reports visualize the relationship between the parts and the whole of a data set using a single round shape.
• Time Series reports visualize data over time. In addition to data from within your instances and imported data sources, you can also use MetricBase data in time series reports. For more information, see MetricBase application.
• Multidimensional reports visualize data across dimensions in a single table or graph.
• Scores visualize single data points either across ranges or as a single value.
• Statistical reports visualize data with statistical values such as medians and means.
• Other reports include calendars, maps, and lists.

You can also use Natural Language Query (NLQ) inside Report Designer to generate a report. Simply write a question into the NLQ field, and the Report Designer generates a report of an appropriate type.

Table 1. Bar reports

	Report	Description
	Vertical and horizontal bar reports	Shows vertical or horizontal bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent.
	Pareto reports	Combines bar and line reports to identify the most important factors in a large set of factors.
	Histogram reports	Provides visual interpretation of numerical data by indicating the number of data points that lie within a range of values.

Table 2. Pie and Donut reports

	Report	Description
	Pie charts	Shows how individual pieces of data relate to the whole using a circle to represent the whole.
	Donut reports	Shows how individual pieces of data relate to the whole using a donut shape to represent the whole.
	Semi-donut reports	Shows how individual pieces of data relate to the whole using a semi-donut shape to represent the whole. A semi-donut report uses a donut sliced in half to represent the whole.

Table 3. Time series reports

	Report	Description
	Column reports	Shows how one or more values change over time by displaying them as proportional vertical columns.
	Line reports	Shows how one or more values change over time by connecting a series of data points with straight lines.
	Step line reports	Shows how one or more values change over time by connecting a series of data points with horizontal and vertical lines.
	Area reports	Resembles a line chart, but the area between the axis and line is commonly emphasized with colors.
	Spline reports	Shows how one or more values change over time by connecting a series of data points with a fitted curve through the data points. Spline reports let you take a limited set of known data points and approximate intervening values.

Table 4. Multidimensional reports

	Report	Description
	Multilevel pivot tables	Displays aggregate data broken down by multiple metrics in a single chart.
	Heatmap reports	Displays aggregate data in a matrix using colors to represent different values.
	Bubble reports	Displays multiple metrics on a single chart.

Table 5. Scores

	Report	Description
	Speedometer reports	Shows an overview of the count of an indicator at the current moment in the form of a round meter.
	Dial reports	Shows an overview of the count of an indicator that you want to measure in a half circle. The part in which scores are shown is filled with a color.
	Single score report	Displays a single aggregate value that is important to your business.

Table 6. Statistical analysis visualizations

	Report	Description
	Control reports	Displays data as a series of connected points to determine whether a business process is in a state of statistical control and to identify outliers. (Found in the Other reports section.)
	Trend reports	Shows how the value of one or more items changes over time. Values along the horizontal axis of the trend report represent the time measurement. Values on the vertical axis represent the changes to the items being monitored. The trend line or curve reveals a general pattern of change. (Found in the Other reports section.)
	Box reports	Shows the distribution of values in a data set highlighting statistical averages. (Found in the Other reports section.)
	Trendbox reports	Shows the distribution of values in a data set highlighting statistical averages for a specified periodof. (Found in the Other reports section.)

Table 7. Other reports

	Report	Description
	Funnel reports	Displays values as progressively decreasing proportions. The size each section reflects a percentage of the total of all values.
	List reports	Displays data in the form of an expandable list, similar to a standard ServiceNow list component.
	Calendar reports	Displays data-driven events in a calendar format.
	Map reports	Displays data on a geographical map image.
	Pivot tables	Aggregates data from a table to display the source of summarized data. This functionality is expanded in multilevel pivot reports.
	Pyramid reports	Visualizes a variation on a bar report using pyramid sections instead of rectangles. (Found in the Other reports section.)

Choosing a report type

Choose a report type based on the story that you want data to tell.