> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/data-models/financial-planning/data-categories.md).

# Data Categories

In Smartbooks we have 4 types of data categories: 

* **Actuals:**\
  Data from periods that have already passed. For financial accounts, this data comes from the source system, while for metrics, it is entered manually.
* **Budgets:**\
  Predefined financial plans outlining expected income, expenses, and other key financial metrics for upcoming periods. Budgets serve as a roadmap for resource allocation and performance expectations.
* **Forecasts:**\
  Forward-looking estimates that project future performance, used to make the latest estimates to reflect current market conditions and expectations.
* **Projections (Calculated category, cannot be created):**\
  Projections combine actual data with either budgets or forecasts. They are automatically calculated using data from the published months along with budgeted or forecasted data to calculate your expected year-end numbers. Projections are only available as an option when configuring reports; they cannot be created as a planning category. Whether to use the budget or forecast as the source for projection can be decided in the general company settings.