> 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/selecting-series-for-charts.md).

# Selecting Series for Charts

This article explains how to **select series for charts and tables** in Model Reef.

You will learn:

* What types of series you can plot.
* How to pick variables, drivers and categories as chart inputs.
* How to keep chart definitions clean, consistent and reusable.

Charts in Model Reef always visualise time series that already exist in the model.

***

## 1. Supported series types

You can usually select the following series types for charts:

* Individual variables.
* Categories and subcategories (for example Revenue, COGS, Staff, Opex).
* Aggregate categories (for example Total Operating Expenses).
* Drivers and Data Library series.
* Selected financial statement lines (for example EBITDA, Net Income, Cash balance).
* Custom formula based series, defined in chart configuration where supported.

All of these represent time series aligned to the model's periodicity.

***

## 2. Selecting variables

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the chart configuration panel

Open the chart configuration where series are managed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a new series slot

Create a new series entry in the chart.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose Variable as the source type

Select "Variable" for the series source.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Find the variable

Search or browse for the variable by name, category or branch. The chart then plots that variable's values for the active scenario and period selection.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## 3. Selecting categories and aggregates

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Add a new series and choose Category or Aggregate category

Create a series and set its source to a category or an aggregate category.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Pick the category

Select the category to show (for example Revenue or Staff).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Optionally restrict by filters

Optionally restrict the category by branch or other filters if available. The chart uses the sum of all variables in that category for each period.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

This is useful for high level revenue, cost and profit views.

***

## 4. Selecting drivers and Data Library series

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Add a series and choose Driver or Data Library entry

Create a series and select "Driver" or "Data Library entry" as the source.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Search by name

Locate the desired driver or data library series using search.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select the relevant series

Choose the series to include. This is useful when you want to show relationships between assumptions and outcomes on the same chart.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## 5. Mixing series types in one chart

You can mix series types in a single chart, for example:

* Revenue (category) vs Headcount (driver).
* Cash balance (statement line) vs Debt balance (category).
* EBITDA (statement line) vs Capex (category).

When combining series with different units, consider chart types that separate scale visually or use multiple charts for clarity.

***

## 6. Best practice

{% hint style="info" %}
To keep charts clear and maintainable:

* Use consistent naming for variables and categories so they are easy to find.
* Limit the number of series per chart to what can be interpreted at a glance.
* Use separate charts for fundamentally different scales or concepts.
* Reuse the same series definitions across dashboards for consistency.

This helps reviewers understand key patterns without visual noise.
{% endhint %}

***

## Related articles

* [Editing Driver Time Series](/syntax/drivers-syntax/editing-driver-time-series.md)
* [Importing Series](/syntax/variables-syntax/importing-series.md)
* [Data Library Mapping](/help/xero-integration/data-library-mapping.md)
* [Build Cross Branch Drivers & Dependencies](/how-tos/data-workflows-and-automation/build-cross-branch-drivers-and-dependencies.md)