1. A method of defining a chart that graphically represents data stored in an electronic data source, the method comprising: receiving a user selection of 1) a data object family contained in the electronic data source, and 2) an attribute for the selected data object family, wherein the selected attribute has multiple possible predefined values that are to serve as category axis values in the chart; receiving a user definition of a first data series comprising a value measure to be determined for each of the category axis values and that uses stored data associated with the data object family; and storing an electronic chart definition file containing an identification of the selected data object attribute and the defined first data series.