---
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


---

# Trendbox reports

# Trendbox reports {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 13 minutes to read

Trendbox reports visualize the distribution of data between
groups over a specific time period.

A trendbox report is similar to a box report, but it also allows you to specify a time
period for the report. When defining the report, use a descriptive title that indicates the use
of the time period. Use trendbox reports when you have multiple small data sets from different
sources that are related to each other. Examples include incident resolution times for different
product features, or incident resolution times for different priorities.

For example, a trendbox report can show incidents per support agent. A trendbox report can
show, by employee, the number of incidents and where the number each agent handles falls by
median and quartile. With this information, you can compare incidents handled per employee, or
you can use the information to estimate future support staffing levels.  
Figure 1. Trendbox report

## About trendbox reports

Each box in a trendbox report displays the following information for each group of data:Figure 2. Box chart scale  

|-|-|
| 1- Sample maximum | The highest count reached during the time frame. |
| 2- Upper quartile | The median of the upper half of the data. |
| 3- Median | If all the interval counts are ordered from minimum to maximum, the median represents the center most value. |
| 4- Mean | The mean is visualized by the blue dot. It is the average of all the data points, or the sum of the counts divided by the number of intervals. |
| 5- Lower quartile | The median of the lower half of the data. |
| 6- Sample minimum | The lowest count reached during the time frame. |
[ ]

{#c_CreatingTrendboxCharts__table_t2v_3tv_slb}  
To understand how to read the box chart scale, reference the following theoretical trendbox which reports on incidents assigned to an employee per month. The employee worked the following number of incidents per month:

|-|-|-|-|-|-|
| Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 |
| 1 incident | 3 incidents | 5 incidents | 2 incidents | 6 incidents | 5 incidents |
[ ]

{#c_CreatingTrendboxCharts__simpletable_t4h_3v3_4mb}  
In this example report which shows trends per month, the values are:

* Median: In the dataset 1,2,3,5,5,6, the median is 4, because it's an even dataset ((3+5)/2). If the dataset was an odd number of values, the median would be the exact center value.
* Upper quartile: When the data is split, 5,5,6 represents the set of data in the upper half. In the example, the upper quartile is 5. Because the example data set is an even number of values, the upper quartile is an exact value. If the dataset was an odd number of values, you would average the two center values.
* Maximum value: The month where the employee had the most incidents assigned, or 6 incidents in month 5.
* Mean: (1+3+5+2+6+5)/6, or 3.66.
* Lower quartile: When the data is split, 1,2,3 represents the set of values in the lower half of the data. In the example, the lower quartile is 2. Because the dataset has an even number of values, the lower quartile is an exact value. If the dataset had an odd number of values, you would average the two center numbers.
* Minimum: The month where the employee had the least number of incidents assigned, or 1 incident in this example.
{#c_CreatingTrendboxCharts__ul_u4h_3v3_4mb}  
Note:  
When accessibility is enabled, this visualization includes a report that screen readers can interpret. For more information, see [Enabling accessibility
features](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_SetUpSect508ComplianceFeature&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US).

## Create a trendbox report {#ariaid-title2}

Create a trendbox report to show the distribution of values in a data set, with a
specified time period.

### Before you begin

Role required: itil, report_user, report_group, report_global, report_admin, or admin. To create a meaningful report, you must have the right to access the data you want to report on.{#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ph_report-role-required}

### About this task

### Procedure

1. Perform one of the following actions:
   * On an upgraded instance that has not been fully migrated to Platform Analytics, navigate to AllReportsCreate New.
   * On a new instance or one that has been fully migrated to Platform Analytics, navigate to AllPlatform Analytics AdministrationUsage and governanceReports and select New.
   {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__choices_wjj_z4z_42c}
2. On the Data tab, give the report a name that reflects the information being grouped.
3. Select the applicable source for the report.

   | Option | Description |
   | Data source | Also called a report source, a data source is a table with filters applied to provide a single source of information for all users. For more information, see [Report sources](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/QQ9qR_HtMUisYy~f~8Kt0w#c_ReportSources "Report sources are predefined data sets for creating reports."). Note: If you select a data source used by existing reports, a notification prompts you to view them. |
   | Table | The raw data from a table with no filters applied. When you select a table, its short description appears below the table name. For trend reporting, you can also select a remote table, which aggregates, in memory, data retrieved from an external source. Then select a Trend by field option to aggregate its data. To learn more about remote tables, see [Retrieving external data using remote tables and scripts](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=remote-tables&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US) |
   | External import | Choose an existing imported report source, or select the Upload icon (![Upload icon]()) to import a new file. See [Create a report from an imported Microsoft Excel document](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/d75T_7SmDH5J1uB4jY2Zfw "You can import Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx files) of data maintained outside of your instance and create reports from those files."). |
   | MetricBase | MetricBase enables you to collect, retain, analyze, and visualize custom time series data on the ServiceNow AI Platform. For more information, see [MetricBase](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=metricbase&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US). |
   |-|-|

   {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__choicetable_t31_tst_1x}
4. Select Next.
5. On the Type tab, enter Trendbox in the filter, select the report type, and click Next.  
   The application
   shows a preliminary version of the report. To view the updated report at any
   time, select Run.
6. On the Configure tab, fill in the following fields and select Next.  
   {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__table_pkb_xbg_1p__entry__2}{#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__info-icon-singular}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Group by | Group report data using the values of this field. For example, in an incident report grouped by Assignment group, all incidents that belong to Software, Service Desk, and Network are placed in separate groups. To group by fields on extended tables, see [How to report on extended tables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/sTKYkU8BlGjtGq5o389oIQ#t_AccessFieldExtendedTable "Learn how to include fields from tables that extend the Task table in a single report. For example, you could include both incidents and problems in a single report."). Select the info icon (![]()) for a description of the selected field. Configured function fields appear in this list after you save the report. Note: * It is not possible to group or stack reports by the Tags field, or by certain field types, such as MEDIUMTEXT. * Grouping or stacking by Variables or Questions fields is not supported for reports based on database views. * Label names longer than 20 characters may show or print a truncated view. {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ul_ag1_sss_4sb} |
   | Additional group by | Extra fields to group the report by. When you select Additional group by fields or function fields, the report includes a control at the bottom that allows you to group the report by any one of the additional fields. To group by fields on extended tables as well, see [How to report on extended tables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/sTKYkU8BlGjtGq5o389oIQ#t_AccessFieldExtendedTable "Learn how to include fields from tables that extend the Task table in a single report. For example, you could include both incidents and problems in a single report."). Click the info icon (![]()) for descriptions of the selected fields Configured function fields appear in this list after you save the report. Note: * You can see choices in the Additional group by list that do not appear in the main Group by list. The report does not support grouping or stacking by the extra fields you see. Unlike the main Group by choices, the Additional group by fields are not filtered. If you select an unsupported field, it has no effect.{#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__li_unsupported-additional-group-by} {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__li_unsupported-additional-group-by} * The limitations listed for the main Group by field also apply to the Additional group by field. {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ul_xx5_zqm_hsb} For more information, see [Add an additional group by or stack by](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/9jON6YGFIYmxXtlLCzeVxg "You can configure a report to let users adjust its grouping and stacking."). |
   | Configure function field | Configure fields based on calculation of multiple inputs including arithmetic functions. For more information, see [Report on function fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/iyxA5tkjQ6sEXDrRejhocw "While regular fields store a value in the database, a function field displays the results of a database query. The function field generates the value based on computations of other fields and constants. You can use these fields in reports and data visualizations as you would other fields."). Function field results are calculated when the report is run. You can use the results for aggregations and grouping. You have to save the report before you can configure function fields. Configured function fields appear in the Group by and Additional group by lists after you save the report. |
   | Trend by | Table field whose values you want to show in a time sequence. Select the info icon (![]()) for a description of the selected field. Note: If you selected a remote table in the Table field, the option you select in this field aggregates the data that was retrieved from an external source and aggregated in memory. To learn more about remote tables, see [Retrieving external data using remote tables and scripts](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=remote-tables&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US) |
   | per | Time period to group data by. The range of available time periods depends on the calendar that you selected. Time periods range from an hour to a year. You can also specify a date. Note: If reporting per week: When the report range includes more than one calendar year, inconsistencies result when a week is split between two years. To show data values more accurately according to ISO weeks, add and enable the glide.db.aggregates.trend.use_iso_week property in the System Properties \[sys_properties\] table. |
   | Aggregation | Mathematical calculation to perform on the data. The default is Count, which shows the number of records selected. To show only unique records, select Count Distinct. Select Average, Sum, or Count Distinct, to show a list of fields from the selected Table. Select a field to Aggregate by from this list.{#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__p_dk1_2xw_mbb} If you group the report by a field and select an Average aggregate, you get the average of each group. If a Total value is shown, it is the average of these group averages, not of the individual field values. Select Minimum or Maximum to show the maximum or minimum value for each segment of the report. For more information on aggregation options, see [Aggregation in reporting](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/FP~YRKRphvWQZuu~xTVivQ "Aggregation enables you to apply calculations to data displayed in reports."). If you choose Average,Sum, Count Distinct, Minimum, or Maximum, you may be able to aggregate on fields from extended tables. See [How to report on extended tables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/sTKYkU8BlGjtGq5o389oIQ#t_AccessFieldExtendedTable "Learn how to include fields from tables that extend the Task table in a single report. For example, you could include both incidents and problems in a single report."). For information about aggregating on FX currency values, see [FX Currency values in reporting](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/e~IjFe5Vygo0I94y10KrdA#fx-currency-values-reporting "Manage projects in multiple currencies with FX (Foreign Exchange) Currency. You can report on the projects in currency values entered by the user, a reference currency, or both."). |
   [Table 1. Trendbox report configuration options]

   {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__table_pkb_xbg_1p}
7. **Optional:** Configure the sort order of the applicable fields in the report (column, row, Group by, Stack by or Trend by depending on the report type).  
   Select the filter icon (![]()) and choose Add Sort.
   1. In the Sorting Order list, choose the field you want to sort on and then choose a-z or z-a for alphabetical order or reverse alphabetical order.

      The list contains all
      possible fields from the report's source and fields on extended, or related, tables. The only effective values, however, are the fields chosen for the current report (column, row, Group by, Stack by, or Trend by
      depending on the report type).  
      Note:  
      On fields from dot-walked (extended) tables, you can only sort on date fields.
   2. Select the sort plus icon (![]()) to configure additional sorting order conditions. (Select the sort minus icon ( ![]()) to delete configured sorting order conditions.)
   3. Select Save.

   {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ol_ebr_c1k_gy}

   For fields of the type Choice list, sort order is not determined
   alphabetically based on Label, it is sorted based on the
   Value of the choice field. For multi-level pivot
   table and heatmap reports, sort order is determined by the sequence of the
   choices in the list.  
8. **Optional:** To limit the information displayed in the report, select the filter icon (![]()) and specify conditions to filter the report data.  
   To learn how to construct conditions, see [Condition builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ConditionBuilder&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-platform-user-interface&ft:locale=en-US).  
   Note:  
   In aggregated and list reports, language-dependent filter conditions may return zero results on localized instances.
9. On the Style tab, fill in the fields as appropriate to configure the appearance of the report.
10. Select Save to continue editing the visualization, or Save and close to return to the Analytics Center main screen.

### What to do next

* Select the Report info icon (![]()) and add a description of the report.
* Select the sharing icon (![]()) to open the Sharing menu. On this menu, you can add the report to a dashboard, export the report to PDF, publish the report to the web, and set visibility and schedules. {#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ph_ejl_dgy_wy}
{#t_TrendboxCreatingReports__ul_skp_pz4_mcb}
**Related tasks**   

* [Share a report](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/QLYGPjMghds83YNJ2nRFNQ "Control which users and groups can see a report in their Reports list.")

## Trendbox report style options {#ariaid-title3}

Change the look of your trendbox report.
When you create or edit a report, click the
Style tab for options to configure the look of your report. The
options are organized under two or more of the following tabs:
General, Title,
Legend, and Axis. To see how the report
looks with the changed settings, click Save.  
{#r_TrendboxChartStyleOptions__table_h1l_1jh_yq__entry__2}{#r_TrendboxChartStyleOptions__decimalPrecisionEntry}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| General ||
| Custom chart size | Check box to specify the width and height of the report in pixels. Note: The chart size is ignored when you export the report to PDF. In PDFs, the full page width is used to show the chart. |
| Chart width | Width of the report in pixels. The default value is 600. This field is available when Custom chart size is selected. |
| Chart height | Height of the report in pixels. The default value is 450. This field appears when Custom chart size is selected. |
| Chart size | Chart size. This field is available when Custom chart size is cleared. Options are Small, Medium, and Large. Note: The chart size is ignored when you export the report to PDF. In PDFs, the full page width is used to show the chart. |
| Decimal precision | Number of decimal places to show. You can show from zero to four decimal places. Default value: 2. To change the default value, create the system property glide.chart.decimal.precision and specify the value. Note: Percentage labels do not change accordingly with the decimal precision specified. |
| Title ||
| Show chart title | When the chart title is shown for the report. * Never: Never show the chart title. * Report only: Shows the chart title on reports. * Always: Shows the chart title on reports, dashboards, and landing pages. |
| Chart title | The chart title has a maximum length of 40 characters. If no title is entered, the report name is used for the title. This field appears when Report only or Always is selected from the Show chart title list. |
| Size of the chart title | Size of the chart title in pixels. This field appears when Report only or Always is selected from the Show chart title list. |
| Chart title color | Color of the chart title. This field appears when Report only or Always is selected from the Show chart title list. |
| Custom chart title position | Check box to specify X and Y coordinates for the position of the chart title. This field appears when Report only or Always is selected from the Show chart title list. |
| Chart title X position | Number of pixels to adjust the chart title position right or left. By default the title appears at the center top of the chart. To move the chart title to the right, enter a positive value. To move the title to the left, enter a negative value. This field appears only when Custom chart title position is selected. |
| Chart title Y position | Number of pixels to adjust the chart title position up or down. By default the title appears at the center top of the chart. To move up the chart title, enter a positive value. To move the chart title down, enter a negative value. This field appears only when Custom chart title position is selected. |
| Title horizontal alignment | How the chart title is aligned horizontally. This field is available when the Custom chart title position option is cleared. |
| Title vertical alignment | How the chart title is aligned vertically. This field appears when Custom chart title position is cleared. |
| Axis ||
| Y axis and X axis | Axis to configure the titles, appearance, and labels for. |
| Title | Title for the axis. |
| Title size | Size of the axis title in pixels. Default value is 12. |
| Title bold | Check this box to show the axis title in a bold typeface. |
| Opposite | On the X axis tab, select this check box to show the X-axis title on the right side of the report instead. On the Y axis tab, select this check box to show the Y-axis title on top of the report instead of across the bottom. |
| Display grid | On the X axis tab, select this check box to show horizontal grid lines on the report. On the Y axis tab, select this check box to show vertical grid lines on top the report. |
| Grid dotted | Check this box to show dotted grid lines instead of solid lines. |
| From | Specify a minimum Y-axis value to limit the amount of information in the report. If you select an aggregation field that is not of the type Number, the From and To fields are not available. Note: Depending on configured [Highcharts](https://api.highcharts.com/highcharts/yAxis.min) settings, the minimum value may be rounded up or down. If you require the settings that affect this changed, contact the administrator. |
| To | Specify a maximum Y-axis value to limit the amount of information in the report. If you select an aggregation field that is not of the type Number, the From and To fields are not available. Note: Depending on configured [Highcharts](https://api.highcharts.com/highcharts/yAxis.min) settings, the minimum value may be rounded up or down. If you require the settings that affect this changed, contact the administrator. |
| X axis / Y axis label size | On the X axis tab, specify the size of the labels for the rows of the report. On the Y axis tab, specify the size of the labels for the columns in the report. |
| Label bold | Check this box to show the labels of the report in a bold typeface. |
[Table 2. Trendbox chart style options]

{#r_TrendboxChartStyleOptions__table_h1l_1jh_yq}

*[\>]: and then