---
sourceDocument: Xanadu Platform Analytics
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/now-intelligence

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu Platform Analytics

ft:clusterId :

    - par

bundleId :

    - par

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Create a spline visualization for a time series widget

# Create a spline visualization for a time series widget {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 minutes to read

To show the trend over time in indicator scores when you need to apply curve fitting,
create a time series widget with a spline visualization.

## Before you begin

Role required: pa_power_user or admin

## About this task

Note:  
This feature is part of the Core UI front end. It is not supported on Platform Analytics dashboards or UI Builder pages, except to a limited extent when migrated in compatibility mode. To build Platform Analytics components, see [Data visualizations in Platform Analytics](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/cTK92MA3IiY1_3pv041ktA "Data Visualizations use graphics to show table, indicator, and other data. They combine and extend the functions of reports and Performance Analytics widgets from the Core UI.") or [Filters in Platform Analytics](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/dLtrHm3CmdIO7YIX95Vpbg "Filter lists and data visualizations on an inline or technical dashboard. Filter by possible data value, by whether the value is true or false, or by date.").

This feature is in maintenance mode and is no longer being augmented or changed. Only security fixes to this feature will be addressed.

A spline visualization replaces the straight line of a
line visualization with a curve. As with a line visualization, use a spline
visualization to show the trend over time in the indicator scores. Use a spline instead
of a line when you need to fit a curve to your indicator scores.

In the following
example, the trend line and 95% confidence interval is shown with a spline
visualization of the number of open incidents.  
Figure 1. Spline visualization - time series

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllPerformance AnalyticsWidgets and click New.
2. In the Name field, give the widget a name that reflects the information being displayed.
3. In the Type field, select Time series.  
   If you change the value of Type after you fill in other fields, those fields are cleared.
4. In the Visualization field, select Spline.
5. In the Indicator field, select the main indicator for which you want to show scores.
6. Fill in any of the following fields:  
   {#create-spline-visualization-ts__choicetable_b4t_l1p_r1b__entry__2}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__ph_breakdown-and-element}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__step_second-breakdown}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__step_aggregator}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__step_previous-period-chart}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__step_label}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__step_color}{#create-spline-visualization-ts__choption_color-scheme}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Breakdown and Element | Only the scores that match the specified element of this breakdown are shown. Select values for both Breakdown and Element. Otherwise, only scores that are not associated with any element of the breakdown are shown. Note: Instead of specifying an element for the first-level breakdown, you can specify an elements filter in the Elements Settings tab. Use elements filters for creating personal visualizations. For more information, see [Additional settings for time series widgets](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/FlQ25tkM_K3HpJCanX5kKw#optional-settings-ts-widgets "Time series widgets have the following optional settings for display, for the date range, and for the axis labels. You can also use these setting to select an elements filter in place of a first-level breakdown element."). Important: If the widget is for a formula indicator, all contributing indicators in the formula must support the breakdown. Otherwise an error message instead of a value appears in the widget on a dashboard. |
   | 2nd Breakdown and Element | Drill down to a second level of breakdown and element, if a first-level breakdown and element have been specified. Note: * Second-level breakdowns must be enabled on the indicator record, in the Collect breakdown matrix tab. * Follow element must be disabled. Dashboard breakdowns count as one breakdown level of the two that are possible. {#create-spline-visualization-ts__ul_knw_l4g_1sb} |
   | Time series | Runs a function on the indicator scores for a specific time period, such as a 7-day sum or average. For more information, see [Applying time series aggregations](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/k_Ohw_RPzVEMYuISHfc1UA#applying-time-series-aggregations "You can aggregate changes in indicators into discrete time intervals. These aggregations can make trends more easily visible, or help track progress against a target."). Note: Business and fiscal calendars do not support time series aggregations. You cannot set a time series aggregation on a widget for an indicator that uses such a calendar. |
   | Previous period chart | Compares the scores of the main indicator in similar periods. The Column visualization works well for previous period charts. Also consider setting a Color scheme. Activating Previous Period Chart disables any secondary Widget Indicators. |
   | Label | Specifies a custom label for the main indicator. |
   | Color | A single color that applies only to the scores for the main indicator. This field overrides any color selected in Color scheme. |
   | Color scheme | A spectrum of colors for the scores for all indicators. If only one indicator is shown, only the first color is used. If you do not specify a color scheme, the default color scheme defined by the glide.ui.chart.default.colors property applies. You can create your own color scheme instead of using a provided color scheme. For more information, see [Create a color scheme](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/0dST36GIst4K4UstLWMteg#t_CreateAChartColorScheme "Create a reusable set of colors available for reports, Performance Analytics widgets, and Platform Analytics data visualization components."). |
   [ ]

   {#create-spline-visualization-ts__choicetable_b4t_l1p_r1b}
7. To have the widget follow the breakdown elements that are selected on a breakdown dashboard, follow these steps:
   1. Select Follow element.  
      Selecting this option removes the ability to set a second breakdown
      and element on the widget.
   2. **Optional:** Set which of the available breakdowns to follow in Followed breakdown.  
      Breakdown dashboards let you select a breakdown source and elements. However, an indicator can use more than one breakdown that is based on the same breakdown source. Use this setting to determine which of these breakdowns to apply in a breakdown dashboard.

      For example, the
      indicator Number of open incidents uses two breakdowns: Assigned to,
      and Opened by. Both breakdowns are based on the Users.Active
      breakdown source. Consider the case where you create a widget for
      this indicator and you have the widget follow elements on breakdown
      dashboards. You want the widget to display separate values for the
      elements of the Assigned to breakdown. Therefore, you select
      Assigned to in the field
      Followed breakdown.
   3. In Show multiple elements as, select whether to show each element separately or to show an aggregate of elements based on the indicator aggregation.  
      Neither all widget visualizations nor all indicators support both aggregate and separate views. For automated and external indicators, only COUNT, SUM, MAX, and MIN data aggregations support aggregate views. COUNT DISTINCT and AVG do not. For more information, see [Showing multiple elements separately or aggregated](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/p7K28vzH4ZGDFu_j7azE0w "When you select multiple elements on a dashboard, widgets that follow these elements can show their values either separately or as an aggregate."). {#create-spline-visualization-ts__substep_show-multi-elements-as}
   {#create-spline-visualization-ts__substep_show-multi-elements-as}

   {#create-spline-visualization-ts__substeps_follow-elements}  
   Important:  
   Do not specify a breakdown and element on the widget record when you want the elements for that breakdown to be selected on a breakdown dashboard. The element on the widget record overrides any elements selected on the breakdown dashboard for that breakdown.
8. **Optional:** Review the Settings tabs and change settings as desired.  
   For more information, see [Additional settings for time series widgets](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/FlQ25tkM_K3HpJCanX5kKw#optional-settings-ts-widgets "Time series widgets have the following optional settings for display, for the date range, and for the axis labels. You can also use these setting to select an elements filter in place of a first-level breakdown element.")
9. Click Submit.
{#create-spline-visualization-ts__steps_spline-time-series}

## What to do next

To view the widget, add it to a dashboard or a portal.
**Related concepts**   

* [Performance Analytics widgets on Service Portal](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/InqgxaNjTNqQ5CAxAVb1aQ#service-portal-pa-widget "You can show Performance Analytics indicators and breakdowns using Service Portal.")
* [Considerations when creating a time series widget](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/TneZagdmiinXnPW9nl24Rw "To create a time series widget that fulfills your business goal, keep several points in mind.")  
**Related tasks**   

* [Edit a responsive dashboard](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/KsSuVvwEExxpMlJLyunvdQ "You can edit the contents of a dashboard, including Performance Analytics widgets, reports, and tabs. Because dashboards are shared, any modifications you make are applied globally.")

*[\>]: and then