A modular visualization framework registers definitions for a variety of visualization types. The definitions are tagged with visualization characteristics. During a working session, likely interactive, a user identifies a search query used to produce data to be visualized. The working context, including the search query and data produced by its execution, is tagged for its visualization characteristics. Information about the working context, including its visualization characteristics, is then used to produce a customized list of candidates suited for the working context from which the user may select a visualization type.