Options for time series data visualizations with multiple metrics

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • 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 provides insights on how to effectively visualize multiple metrics in time series data within ServiceNow. It highlights the ability to customize visualizations through grouping, scaling, and filtering options, enhancing data interpretation for users.

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    Key Features

    • Separate Charts for Each Metric: Users can choose different chart types for each metric to improve readability, with options accessible via the chart icon in each Metric tile.
    • Multiple Y-Axes: Separate Y-axis scales can be applied to metrics with significantly different value ranges. This is done by selecting the More options icon in the metric tile, though caution is advised to maintain clarity.
    • Group By per Metric: Users can assign different group-by values for up to three metrics, enabling tailored breakdowns that enhance data analysis.
    • Follow Filters per Metric: The Follow filters feature allows specific metrics to adhere to dashboard filters, providing flexibility in data presentation. This can be configured per metric through an expandable option in the visualization settings.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing these features, ServiceNow customers can create more informative and visually appealing time series data visualizations, leading to better data-driven decisions. The ability to customize metrics independently helps clarify complex datasets, ensuring that users can focus on the most relevant information without confusion.

    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 chart 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 chart type for each metric, to make the chart easier to read. In each Metric tile, selecting the chart icon opens a list of chart types to choose from.
    Metrics tile when there are 2 metrics, showing chart 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 chart 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 charts 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.