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Statistics

View comprehensive analytics about your time allocations across all periodic notes.

Overview​

The Statistics feature provides powerful insights into how you allocate your time across different categories and period types. Access statistics through Settings → Categories, where you'll find both per-category analytics and global visualizations.

Global Statistics​

Period Type Selection​

Filter your statistics by any enabled period type:

  • Daily: View time allocation across all daily notes
  • Weekly: See weekly patterns and totals
  • Monthly: Analyze monthly time distribution
  • Quarterly: Review quarterly allocations
  • Yearly: Examine year-long patterns

Use the dropdown selector at the top of the Categories section to switch between period types. Statistics update instantly when you change the selection.

Interactive Pie Chart​

The pie chart provides a visual breakdown of your time allocation:

  • Color-Coded Segments: Each category is displayed in its configured color
  • Proportional Sizing: Segment size reflects the percentage of total hours
  • At-a-Glance Overview: Quickly understand where your time goes
  • Real-Time Updates: Chart refreshes automatically when allocations change

What Statistics Show​

For each period type, you'll see:

  • Total Hours: Sum of all hours allocated to each category
  • Percentage: Category's share of total allocated time
  • Note Count: How many notes use each category
  • Period Breakdown: Usage across all period types (e.g., "Daily: 5 · Weekly: 3 · Monthly: 1")

Per-Category Analytics​

Category Rows​

Each category in settings displays comprehensive usage information:

Example Category Display:

Work
├─ Total: 12 notes · Daily: 5 · Weekly: 3 · Monthly: 1
└─ Monthly hours: 160.0h (45.7%)

This tells you:

  • 12 notes use the "Work" category across all period types
  • 5 daily notes, 3 weekly notes, and 1 monthly note contain Work allocations
  • For the selected period type (Monthly), 160 hours are allocated to Work, representing 45.7% of total monthly hours

Color-Coded Backgrounds​

Each category row has a subtle background tint matching its assigned color:

  • Makes categories visually distinct at a glance
  • Helps you quickly identify categories in the list
  • Updates immediately when you change a category's color
  • 10% opacity ensures text remains perfectly readable

Sorting Logic​

Categories are automatically sorted for easy navigation by hours (when period type selected): Categories with more hours appear first. This means your most-used categories always appear at the top of the list.

Category Management​

Automatic Discovery​

Categories are discovered automatically - no manual creation needed:

  1. Use a Category: Add time allocation with a category name in any periodic note
  2. Instant Detection: The category appears in settings immediately
  3. Real-Time Tracking: Usage statistics update as you work
  4. Automatic Cleanup: Remove all instances of a category, and it's automaticallyz cleaned up

Color Customization​

Personalize your categories with custom colors:

  1. Color Picker: Click the color picker next to any category
  2. Choose Color: Select from the color wheel or enter a hex code
  3. Instant Update: Background tint and pie chart update immediately
  4. Consistent Colors: Your chosen colors persist across all views

Default Colors​

When a category is first discovered, it's automatically assigned a color from the default palette:

  • Blue (#3B82F6)
  • Green (#10B981)
  • Purple (#8B5CF6)
  • Amber (#F59E0B)
  • Red (#EF4444)
  • Pink (#EC4899)
  • Cyan (#06B6D4)
  • Lime (#84CC16)

You can change these colors at any time using the color picker.

Understanding the Data​

What Gets Counted​

Statistics aggregate data from your periodic notes' time allocations:

  • Hours allocated in periodic-planner code blocks
  • Categories used in time budget allocations
  • Only counts from notes with proper period properties
  • Excludes notes outside your configured periodic folders

Real-Time Updates​

Statistics update automatically when you:

  • Add or modify time allocations in notes
  • Create new periodic notes
  • Change category names in existing notes
  • Delete notes or remove allocations

Accuracy​

  • Top-Level Notes Only: Statistics aggregate from the highest-level notes of each period type to avoid double-counting
  • Live Calculation: Hours and percentages are computed in real-time from your actual note content
  • Category Tracking: The system monitors all periodic notes continuously for category usage

Use Cases​

Time Management Insights​

  • Identify Patterns: See which categories consume most of your time
  • Balance Check: Ensure time is distributed according to your priorities
  • Trend Analysis: Compare allocations across different period types
  • Goal Tracking: Monitor if your actual time allocation matches your intentions

Planning and Adjustment​

  • Resource Allocation: Understand where your hours go
  • Capacity Planning: See if you're over-allocating in certain areas
  • Priority Shifts: Identify when it's time to rebalance categories
  • Historical Context: Review how your time distribution evolves

Category Refinement​

  • Usage Detection: Find categories that are rarely used
  • Consolidation Opportunities: Identify similar categories that could merge
  • Naming Consistency: Spot variations in category names that should be standardized
  • Coverage Gaps: Notice areas of your life not being tracked

Tips and Best Practices​

Meaningful Category Names​

  • Use consistent naming across all notes
  • Choose names that are clear and descriptive
  • Avoid overly similar category names
  • Keep names concise for better display

Color Strategy​

  • High-Priority Categories: Use bold, bright colors
  • Related Categories: Choose similar shades for related work
  • Quick Recognition: Pick distinct colors for frequently-used categories
  • Visual Hierarchy: Use color intensity to reflect category importance

Regular Review​

  • Check statistics weekly to understand your patterns
  • Compare period types to spot inconsistencies
  • Adjust allocations based on actual vs. planned time
  • Use the pie chart for quick weekly reviews

Data Quality​

  • Ensure all periodic notes have time allocations
  • Use consistent category names across notes
  • Regularly update allocations to reflect actual time spent
  • Remove or consolidate unused categories

Troubleshooting​

Category Not Appearing​

If a category doesn't show up in statistics:

  • Verify the note is in a configured periodic folder
  • Check that the note has proper period properties (Period Type, Period Start, Period End)
  • Ensure the time allocation is inside a periodic-planner code block
  • Wait a moment for the indexer to process the note

Statistics Seem Incorrect​

If statistics don't match expectations:

  • Only top-level notes are counted to avoid duplication
  • Check that your period type selection matches the notes you're thinking of
  • Verify that time allocations are properly formatted
  • Remember that the system aggregates from actual note content, not manual entries

Colors Not Updating​

If category colors don't change:

  • The update should be immediate - try changing the color again
  • Check that you saved the color using the color picker
  • Verify you're looking at the correct category
  • Reload Obsidian if the issue persists

Next Steps​