> 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/welcome/quickstart/getting-started/kpis-and-operational-data.md).
# KPI's and Operational Data
The **Financial Accounts** section contains all financial data retrieved directly from your accounting system. In many cases, you may want to extend this data with additional information, such as:
* Financial KPIs that are not available in the general ledger
* Business models used for budgeting
* Operational KPIs
* Manually maintained financial or non-financial data
In Smartbooks, this is done using **Metrics**.
Metrics allow you to add and manage data that does not exist in your accounting system, while still using the same reporting and planning structure.
Metrics can be used to:
* Track custom financial or operational KPIs
* Build budgeting and forecasting models
* Add manually maintained data to reports
* Combine accounting and non-accounting data in a single view
Metrics are created in the **Business Model → Custom Metrics** section.
This section uses a folder structure similar to **Financial Accounts**, but unlike financial accounts, metrics are fully user-defined.
You can:
* Create **subfolders** to organise metrics logically
* Create **individual metrics** within those folders
To create a new metric or subfolder, click the **three dots** next to an existing folder and select the desired option.
When creating a metric, you will be guided through a configuration screen where you define:
* The metric type
* Its calculation or input method
* How it behaves in reporting and planning
Detailed instructions on metric configuration can be found [**here**](/smartbooks-docs/data-models/metrics.md).
Below is an example of a configured metric.
Once a metric is created and saved:
* It becomes available for **manual input** in both actuals and budgeting
* It can be added to reports as:
* A dedicated row
* A dynamic row via the report configuration
This allows metrics to be reused consistently across budgets, forecasts, and reports.
