This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of reporting, sla and imports. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A report is created but shows no data. The table and conditions appear correct. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The report is scheduled to run daily
Why wrong: Scheduling does not affect data visibility.
The report type is set to 'Bar chart' but the data is numeric
Why wrong: Numeric data works fine in bar charts.
The report is set to 'Run as' a user without roles to view the data
Report runs with authority of specified user; lack of roles returns no data.
The report has a modulo condition on sys_id
Why wrong: Not a typical cause.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The report is set to 'Run as' a user without roles to view the data
Option C is correct because in ServiceNow, reports execute under the security context of the user specified in the 'Run as' field. If that user lacks the necessary roles (e.g., snc_internal or specific table read roles) to view the underlying data, the report will run without errors but return zero rows, even if the table and conditions are correct. This is a common misconfiguration when reports are shared or scheduled.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The report is scheduled to run daily
Why it's wrong here
Scheduling does not affect data visibility.
The report type is set to 'Bar chart' but the data is numeric
Why it's wrong here
Numeric data works fine in bar charts.
The report is set to 'Run as' a user without roles to view the data
Why this is correct
Report runs with authority of specified user; lack of roles returns no data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The report has a modulo condition on sys_id
Why it's wrong here
Not a typical cause.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume a report with correct table and conditions will always show data, overlooking that ServiceNow enforces data visibility based on the executing user's roles and ACLs, not the report creator's.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, ServiceNow reports use the 'Run as' user's session to query the database via GlideRecord. If that user lacks read access to the table or specific records, the query returns an empty result set, but no error is thrown because the system respects the user's access control list (ACL) rules silently. This is especially subtle when a report is scheduled or shared with a different user, as the report creator may have full access but the 'Run as' user does not.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Reporting, SLA and Imports — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Reporting, SLA and Imports — This question tests Reporting, SLA and Imports — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The report is set to 'Run as' a user without roles to view the data — Option C is correct because in ServiceNow, reports execute under the security context of the user specified in the 'Run as' field. If that user lacks the necessary roles (e.g., snc_internal or specific table read roles) to view the underlying data, the report will run without errors but return zero rows, even if the table and conditions are correct. This is a common misconfiguration when reports are shared or scheduled.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SNOW-CSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SNOW-CSA exam.
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