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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Color schemes

When a data visualization illustrates multiple indicators, breakdowns, or table fields, the colors of the different values can follow a color scheme.

Color schemes can apply to the following visualizations:

  • Time series and breakdown widgets that display multiple indicators or breakdowns
  • Widgets on breakdown dashboards when multiple elements are shown separately
  • Reports that group by or stack by table fields
  • Platform Analytics data visualization components that group by or stack by table fields

You can select a color scheme in the Color Scheme field when you create a widget. For an example, see Create a pie, donut, or semi-donut visualization for a breakdown widget. You can also design your own color scheme.

You don’t have to specify a color scheme. In this case, the default color scheme specified in the property com.snc.pa.chart_default_color_schema is applied if necessary. In the base system, this color scheme is Default UI14.

All color schemes are on the Chart color scheme [pa_chart_color_schemes] table, at Performance Analytics > System > Chart Color Schemes.

The default color schemes use color definitions with the Qualitative themeable colors from the UX Theme Properties [sys_ux_theme_property] table. When Next Experience is activated, these colors are used rather than the Core UI color palette.

Related topics

Predefined colors in reports

Report types

Create a color scheme

Create a reusable set of colors available for reports, Performance Analytics widgets, and Platform Analytics data visualization components.

Before you begin

Role required: pa_power_user or pa_admin

About this task

Tip: A ServiceNow AI Platform or Reporting admin can create custom colors for use in your color schemes. For more information, see Define system colors for analytics.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to All > Platform Analytics Administration > Color Settings > Chart Color Schemes.

  2. Click New.

  3. Enter a descriptive Name.

  4. Select colors in the Color 1 and Color 2 fields.

    A color scheme must have at least two colors. You can use more.

  5. Select up to 32 total colors to include in the color scheme.

  6. Click Submit.