> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.modelreef.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.modelreef.io/syntax/chart-and-table-syntax/picking-chart-types.md).

# Picking Chart Types

This article explains how to **pick chart types** for time series in Model Reef.

You will learn:

* Which chart types are available.
* When to use each type.
* How to match chart types to business questions.

Choosing the right chart type makes patterns and differences easier to understand.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Available chart types

Depending on context, you can usually choose from:

* Line charts.
* Bar charts.
* Stacked bar charts.
* Area charts.
* Combined line and bar charts.
* KPI cards.
* Table views.

All chart types operate on the same underlying time series.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Line charts

Use line charts for:

* Trends over time.
* Comparing multiple series with similar units.
* Visualising growth or decline paths.

Examples:

* Revenue vs EBITDA.
* Cash balance under different cases.
* Headcount over time.

Lines are best when the shape and direction of change matter.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Bar and stacked bar charts

Use bar charts for:

* Comparing magnitudes across periods.
* Viewing contributions of different series by period.

Use stacked bar charts when you want to see:

* How categories add up to a total in each period.
* The composition of revenue, costs or capex by component.

Examples:

* Revenue split by product.
* Opex split by department.
* Capex by project per year.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Area charts

Area charts are useful when:

* You care about both trend and magnitude.
* You want to emphasise cumulative feel without literal cumulative sums.

They work well for showing totals where the fill visually encodes size.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Combined line and bar charts

Combined charts can be helpful when:

* You want to plot a primary series as bars, for example revenue.
* You want to overlay a secondary series as a line, for example margin percentage or headcount.

Use this when two related metrics have different units but share a time axis.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### KPI cards and tables

KPI cards show single numbers such as:

* Latest period EBITDA.
* Peak cash requirement.
* NPV or IRR.

Tables show more detailed breakdowns and may complement charts when you need precise values.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choosing chart types by question

Match chart types to questions such as:

* "How is this changing over time?" → line or area.
* "What is the composition by period?" → stacked bar.
* "How do two metrics move together?" → combined line and bar.
* "What is the latest or total value?" → KPI card or table.

Choosing appropriately keeps dashboards focused and legible.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## Related articles

* [Category Picker](/syntax/understanding-the-interface/category-picker.md)
* [Category Selection](/syntax/variables-syntax/category-selection.md)
* [Mapping Variable Types](/help/importing-and-data-inputs/mapping-variable-types.md)
* [Build a Board Reporting Pack](/how-tos/dashboards-and-reporting/build-a-board-reporting-pack.md)