SPLK-1001 Practice Question: Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations
A dashboard has a radio button input that selects a sourcetype. The panel uses `index=web sourcetype=$source$`. However, when the user selects a sourcetype, the panel doesn't update. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Splunk often tests the exact token naming mismatch between the input's `token` attribute and the `$token_name$` used in the search, tricking candidates into blaming panel types or search commands instead.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The token name in the search is `$source$` but the input token is named `sourcetype`.
The dashboard panel does not update because the token referenced in the search string (`$source$`) does not match the name of the radio button input. In Splunk, a dashboard input creates a token with the name specified in its `token` attribute. If the input's token is named `sourcetype`, the search must use `$sourcetype$` to reference its value. Using `$source$` means the search looks for a token that does not exist, so no substitution occurs and the panel remains static.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The token name in the search is `$source$` but the input token is named `sourcetype`.
Why this is correct
Token names must match between input and search reference.
- ✗
The search includes a `stats` command that ignores the token.
Why it's wrong here
`stats` processes filtered data, so token is still applied.
- ✗
The panel is a single value panel that does not update dynamically.
Why it's wrong here
Single value panels update normally when search reruns.
- ✗
The time range is too short and returns no events.
Why it's wrong here
Time range does not cause token mismatch.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SPLK-1001 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Splunk 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 SPLK-1001 exam.