# Category Picker

This article explains the **Category Picker** in Model Reef.

You will learn:

* Where the Category Picker appears.
* How categories and subcategories affect reporting.
* How to keep category usage consistent across branches.

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Categories control how variables roll up into P\&L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow and the Cash Waterfall.
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### Where you use the Category Picker

You can use the Category Picker:

* In the Variable Editor header when you assign or change a variable's category.
* In the Data Library viewer when editing a central definition.
* During imports, when you map source lines into Model Reef categories.

The picker usually shows a list of allowed categories and subcategories per variable type.
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### Categories and subcategories

Each variable belongs to a category, for example:

* Revenue.
* COGS.
* Operating expenses.
* Staff costs.
* Tax.
* Assets.
* Liabilities.
* Equity.
* Dividends.

Within each you can use subcategories to break out detail, such as:

* Revenue - Online.
* Revenue - Retail.
* Opex - Marketing.
* Opex - Rent.

Categories drive the main structure of P\&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow. Subcategories control how detail is presented within those sections.
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### Impact on statements and dashboards

The Category Picker does not change the numeric values of a variable. It changes **where** those values appear in outputs.

Changing category or subcategory affects:

* Which row a variable contributes to in P\&L.
* Which part of Assets or Liabilities it sits under in the Balance Sheet.
* Which cashflow bucket it appears in (operating, investing, financing).
* How charts and dashboards group and colour series.

Used consistently, categories make reports easier to read and compare across branches and scenarios.
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### Category consistency and governance

To keep models coherent:

* Define a standard category scheme for your firm or group.
* Use the same subcategory names across branches where possible.
* Review imports to make sure automatic mapping matches your structure.
* Periodically tidy up categories in the Data Library if the chart of accounts changes.

Owners and senior Editors usually take responsibility for category governance.
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### Categories during import

When importing from PDF, Excel, Xero, QuickBooks or CSV:

* Model Reef proposes categories based on line names and context.
* You can override these in the import mapping step.
* The Category Picker is used there to align imported lines with your standard structure.

Correct mapping at import time saves substantial work later when building reports and dashboards.
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## Related articles

* [Scenario Syntax](/syntax/scenario-syntax.md)
* [Scenario Toggle Behaviour](/syntax/scenario-syntax/scenario-toggle-behaviour.md)
* [Frequency Rules](/help/drivers-variables-and-timing/frequency-rules.md)
* [Build a Capital Raise Model](/how-tos/investment-and-transactions/build-a-capital-raise-model.md)


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