> 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/metrics.md).

# Metrics

In Smartbooks, you can add both financial and non-financial KPIs to your reports and dashboards, enhancing your analysis with deeper insights into your numbers. Metrics in Smartbooks allow you to track actual data and manage budgets using various sources, including manual data input, formulas, and data pulled directly from actual accounts. Beyond performance tracking, these metrics can be used for planning and forecasting purposes.

For example, you can create revenue forecasts tailored to various industries. In a consulting firm, you might estimate future revenue by tracking key metrics such as billable hours and the average hourly rate. By multiplying the projected billable hours by the average rate, you obtain a new revenue figure for your profit and loss statement forecast. Similarly, in a production company, you can forecast revenue by entering the expected number of products sold in a given month and multiplying it by the average price. Changing the assumptions of the models will lead to immediate changes in your budget or forecast, allowing you to quickly see the impact on your financial statements. 

By integrating these metrics, Smartbooks empowers you to make informed, data-driven decisions, streamline your budgeting process, and optimize your financial performance.

In the upcoming sections, we’ll explain:

* **How to create Metrics:** How to set up and configure new metrics in Smartbooks.
* **How to add some of the most commonly Used Metrics:** Discover the most frequently used financial and non-financial metrics.
* **How to Integrate Metrics into Financial Reports:** Learn how to incorporate these metrics into your reports to enhance your financial analysis.