Since every character other than the basic pictographs and ideographs is composed of more than one component character, a choice must be made where to put the character's primary listing. While some arbitrariness is unavoidable, the primary listing generally follows the phonetic rather than semantic component when both are present. This complements the emphasis on semantic components found in the bushou method, and also allows for richer genealogical tables since the phonetic components are more numerous and generally contain more levels of composition.

Character etymology as suggested by character shape sometimes differs from actual etymology. In such cases the character is listed under both its actual components and any apparent components. In cases where an apparent component is particularly suggestive relative to the actual components, the primary listing is made under that component. In these cases a vertical bar in the chart before the character signifies deviation from the actual etymology.

Since the tables attempt to show the full sequence of character evolution, a "missing link" problem occasionally arises. These missing link characters, which are no longer used in modern Chinese but are identified in ancient writings, are shown with the usage restriction "ancient".