---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Use a slow query log

# Use a slow query log {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Administrators can use slow query logs to gain insight into how queries are affecting
platform performance. The Slow Queries log aggregates data for similar queries. Use slow
query data to evaluate the need for new indexes, changes to existing indexes, or changes to
frequent queries.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

## About this task

Queries are similar when they select from the same table and query the same field in
the where clause, but search for different values in the field. For example, these
queries are aggregated as similar queries.  

    SELECT * FROM sys_user WHERE name="ITIL User"
    SELECT * FROM sys_user WHERE name="System Administrator"

Aggregating similar query data allows administrators to monitor the performance
impact of slow queries and of queries that occur frequently. The log reports data
for similar queries where the total execution time exceeds 5 seconds.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem DiagnosticsStatsSlow Queries
2. Open a query record for more details.  
   For a description of the field values in the query record, see [Query record form fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/TV5YG6cDh7I~TOvrbheIbw "A description of the fields in the query record form.").
3. To see what the database is doing to retrieve the data, click Explain Plan.  
   The query plan is reported in the MySQL Explain Plan related list. Use the query plan to evaluate the need for new indexes or changes to existing indexes. For more information, see [MySQL explain plan documentation](http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/execution-plan-information.html).

   This feature works on other supported databases, including MongoDB and
   Oracle.
4. To generate an index suggestion for a slow query, click Index Suggestion.  
   For details, see [Generate an index suggestion for a slow query](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/vRjpy5wYt6JNgpEsrkPpaw "Use the Index Suggestion Engine (ISE) to generate an index suggestion for a slow query. The ISE analyzes slow queries and provides index recommendations to improve execution time when possible.").
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