# Visualizations

> Learn what each visualization shows and which one to use.

![](https://synnax.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/docs/console/visualize/hero/5399dddf61c3/window-light.webp)

The Synnax Console shows your channel data in four kinds of visualizations: line plots, schematics, tables, and logs. Each visualization opens in a tab. You arrange tabs in [panels](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/panels), and you keep panels in a [project](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/projects).

Synnax stores each project, its panels, and its visualizations in the Synnax Core. The Console saves each change that you make, so everyone on the same Core can [share](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/share) them.

## What visualizations are for

### Watch a test live

A [line plot](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/line-plots) with a rolling time span, such as the last 30 seconds, shows each new sample when it arrives. Put the pressures of one tank on one plot to see how they change together.

### Review and compare past tests

Add a [range](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/ranges) to a line plot to show the data of a past test. Add two ranges to compare two runs on the same plot. Select a region of the plot to mark it as a new range or to download its data as CSV.

### Operate your system

A [schematic](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/schematics) draws your system with symbols for tanks, valves, pumps, and sensors. Each symbol shows the latest value of a channel. Click a valve to open or close it, as [manual control](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/control/manual) shows.

### Watch many values at once

A [table](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/tables) shows the latest values of many channels in a grid of cells. Add a [redline](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/alarms/redlines) to a cell to color it when its value passes a limit.

### Follow messages and states

A [log](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/logs) shows each new value of its channels as a line of text. Use it for operator notes, sequence states, and other text channels.

## Choose a visualization

| Visualization                                                           | Shows                                       | Past data | Sends commands | Use it to                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Line plot](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/line-plots) | Values over time, one line for each channel |           |                | [Watch a test live](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize#watch-a-test-live) and [compare past tests](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize#review-and-compare-past-tests). |
| [Schematic](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/schematics) | Latest values on a drawing of your system   |           |                | [Operate your system](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize#operate-your-system).                                                                                                     |
| [Table](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/tables)         | Latest values in a grid of cells            |           |                | [Watch many values at once](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize#watch-many-values-at-once).                                                                                         |
| [Log](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize/logs)             | Each new value as a line of text            |           |                | [Follow messages and states](https://docs.synnaxlabs.com/reference/visualize#follow-messages-and-states).                                                                                       |

A schematic and a table both show the latest values of many channels. Use a schematic when the position of a value on your system matters, or when you must command hardware. Use a table for a dense grid of values with no drawing.

A log shows the values that arrive while it is open. It does not read stored data. To see stored data, use a line plot.