> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.moselle.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.moselle.io/analytics/explore/build-with-explore.md).

# Build Charts & Tables in Explore

{% hint style="info" %}
**Quick Answer:** In Explore, you build by chatting with Mo — ask for the metrics you want and Mo places charts and tables on your canvas. Refine by asking for changes ("switch to a line chart", "add a total row"), then fine-tune tables directly with sorting, grouping, and column formatting.
{% endhint %}

## How Building Works

When you start a build, Mo opens next to your canvas. Everything on the canvas comes from the conversation:

1. **Ask for what you want** — "Revenue and units by channel, monthly, for the last 12 months"
2. **Mo places assets on the canvas** — typically a headline number or two, a few charts, and a detailed table
3. **Refine conversationally** — "Make the revenue chart stacked by channel", "Rename that card to Q3 Review", "Drop the Amazon channel"

Each chart or table is its own **card** on the canvas, with its own actions.

## What Mo Can Build

### Charts

Ask for any of these by name, or just describe the comparison you want and let Mo choose:

* **Line charts** — trends over time, including stepped and dotted variants
* **Area charts** — volume over time, including stacked and 100%-stacked (share-of-total) views
* **Bar charts** — grouped, stacked, or horizontal comparisons, plus variance charts that color positive and negative values automatically
* **Pie and donut charts** — composition breakdowns
* **KPI tiles** — a single headline number with an optional comparison, like "vs last month"

Charts support currency, percent, and number formatting, and you can ask Mo to add up to three labeled **reference lines** — useful for targets and thresholds.

### Tables

Tables in Explore are fully interactive data grids, not static outputs:

* **Sort and filter** any column
* **Resize** columns by dragging
* **Group rows** — drag a column into the grouping bar to roll up values with sums, averages, counts, and more
* **Format columns** — see below
* **Download CSV** — export the table's rows with the download icon

Large tables load progressively as you scroll, so even very long result sets stay responsive.

## Formatting Table Columns

Every table column has a gear menu for fine-grained formatting:

1. Hover the column header and click the **gear** icon
2. Choose a format under **Format as** — Auto, None (raw), Number, Currency, Percent, Date, Date + time, or Boolean
3. Adjust the options for your chosen format — currency code, decimal places, or a **Compact** toggle for values like "1.2k" and "3.4M"
4. Optionally set:
   * **Pin column** — keep the column fixed to the left or right while scrolling
   * **Conditional formatting** — color values red, yellow, or green based on rules (greater than, less than, between, and more)
5. Click **Apply**

Use **Reset to auto** to return to Moselle's automatic formatting, or **Clear** to remove formatting entirely. You can also just ask Mo — "format the revenue column as USD with no decimals" works too.

## Card Actions

Each card on the canvas has action icons in its header:

| Action                         | What it does                                        |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Move up** / **Move down**    | Reorder the card on the canvas                      |
| **Delete**                     | Remove the card from the scratchpad                 |
| **Save to report**             | Pin the card to a report so it's kept and shareable |
| **Download CSV** (tables only) | Export the table's data as a CSV file               |

## Tips for Better Builds

* **Name the time range** — "last 8 weeks", "this year vs last year" — so Mo doesn't have to guess
* **Say how you want it broken down** — by channel, by SKU, by product type, by month
* **Ask for the chart type you're picturing** — "as a stacked bar chart", "as a KPI tile with last month comparison"
* **Tag a dataset** on the landing page if you want Mo to use a specific source
* **Build in passes** — get the main view first, then refine formatting and details

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What if Mo builds a table when I wanted a chart?

**Answer:** Just ask — "show that as a line chart instead." Mo replaces or adds the asset on the canvas.

### Can I change a chart's colors or format directly?

**Answer:** Chart changes go through Mo — ask for the palette, format, or chart type you want. Tables are the exception: their column formatting menu is directly editable.

### Do canvas assets update automatically?

**Answer:** Assets re-run against live data each time you open the scratchpad, so the numbers stay current without rebuilding.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Problem                                      | Solution                                                                              | Time to Fix |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- |
| "Couldn't load table data" appears on a card | Click **Try again** on the card; if it persists, ask Mo to rebuild the asset          | 1 minute    |
| A dataset you expect isn't listed            | Data may still be syncing from your integration — check back later or contact support | Varies      |
| The canvas is empty after a build            | Mo may still be working — look for "Mo is building your report" and give it a moment  | 1 minute    |

## Related Guides

{% content-ref url="/pages/2fZ00LMDTKttlNbQLGFs" %}
[Explore](/analytics/explore.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/4mwkWnGdXiSNmal5kL88" %}
[Save & Share Reports from Explore](/analytics/explore/save-and-share-reports.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/HNe3qiLOPZnSe0stHRX3" %}
[Get Better Results with Mo](/mo/tips/tips-for-better-prompts.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}