Quick Answer
The answer is to use `dc(user)` with `timechart` and a column chart. This combination is correct because `dc(user)` calculates the distinct count of users, while `timechart` automatically bins events into time-based buckets—such as per day—over the specified 30-day range, making it the ideal command for tracking unique user activity over time. On the Splunk SPLK-1002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how `timechart` differs from `chart`; a common trap is using `count` instead of `dc`, which would count total events rather than unique users. Remember that `dc` stands for “distinct count,” and when paired with `timechart`, it creates a time-series dataset perfectly suited for a column chart to show daily trends. A helpful memory tip: “Distinct users over days? Timechart with dc displays.”
This SPLK-1002 practice question tests your understanding of creating reports, dashboards and visualizations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security team needs to create a report that shows the number of distinct users who triggered a firewall block each day for the past 30 days. Which search and visualization combination should be used?
Use `dc(user)` with `chart` and a column chart
Why wrong: Chart without time-based axis doesn't show daily trend.
Use `top user` with `timechart` and a pie chart
Why wrong: Top shows most frequent users, not distinct count per day.
Use `dc(user)` with `timechart` and a column chart
Correctly counts distinct users per day over time.
Use `count` with `chart` and a bar chart
Why wrong: Counts events, not distinct users.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use `dc(user)` with `timechart` and a column chart
Option C is correct because `dc(user)` calculates the distinct count of users, and `timechart` automatically groups results by time (e.g., per day) over the specified 30-day range. A column chart is the appropriate visualization for displaying discrete daily counts, as it clearly shows trends over time.
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.
Use `dc(user)` with `chart` and a column chart
Why it's wrong here
Chart without time-based axis doesn't show daily trend.
Use `top user` with `timechart` and a pie chart
Why it's wrong here
Top shows most frequent users, not distinct count per day.
Use `dc(user)` with `timechart` and a column chart
Why this is correct
Correctly counts distinct users per day over time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use `count` with `chart` and a bar chart
Why it's wrong here
Counts events, not distinct users.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing `dc(user)` with `count` or `top`, and assuming `chart` can replace `timechart` for time-based aggregation, when only `timechart` automatically handles time bucketing and produces a proper time axis for column charts.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Chart without time-based axis doesn't show daily trend.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `timechart` uses the `_time` field to bin events into time buckets (e.g., `span=1d` by default for a 30-day range) and applies the statistical function (`dc(user)`) to each bucket. The `dc` command leverages the `tstats` acceleration when available, making it efficient for large datasets. In real-world scenarios, distinct user counts are critical for security monitoring to identify unique attackers or compromised accounts, and using `timechart` ensures the results are aligned with Splunk's time-based indexing.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations — This question tests Creating Reports, Dashboards and Visualizations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use `dc(user)` with `timechart` and a column chart — Option C is correct because `dc(user)` calculates the distinct count of users, and `timechart` automatically groups results by time (e.g., per day) over the specified 30-day range. A column chart is the appropriate visualization for displaying discrete daily counts, as it clearly shows trends over time.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SPLK-1002 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-1002 exam.
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