Creating a Sankey chart in Microsoft Excel can be a straightforward process once you have your data set up. Sankey charts are a great way to visualize the flow of energy, cost, information, or materials in a process, highlighting volumes of flow between each step. Below are step-by-step instructions to create a Sankey chart in Excel:
**Step 1: Gather Your Data**
Before you get started, make sure you have your data ready. Your Sankey chart will require the following columns:
– Starting Point: The quantity or volume being measured
– Destination: The next destination or step in the process
– Flow: The amount or volume that moves from the starting point to the destination
Make sure your data is in an organized table within Excel, with each column clearly labeled.
**Step 2: Enter Data Efficiently**
– In a new Excel workbook, enter the headings, such as “Starting Point,” “Destination,” and “Flow,” in the first row.
– Enter your data rows below the headers. Each row represents a flow from one point to another.
– Ensure every row has a consistent format, and all the data is present for each row.
**Step 3: Create a Primary Axis Line**
1. Select your data. To create the Sankey chart, it’s critical to get the total amount of flow right. So, for every “Flow” in your data, add the flows to the next row.
2. Click on the “Insert” tab.
3. Choose “Column” or “Line” in the Charts group. This will create a standard column or line chart with your data.
4. Resize the chart by hovering your cursor over the top corner of the chart, until the cursor turns into a double arrow, and then drag it to make the chart as wide as needed.
**Step 4: Customize the Chart**
To convert the column or line chart into a Sankey chart, follow these steps:
1. Select the primary axis line (it should be the line that shows the entire flow from the starting point to the final destination).
2. With the selected line, move your cursor to the end of the line until it turns into a shape that looks like four arrows pointing outward. This is the data bond tool.
3. Click and drag the data bond from the end of the line to the next column of flow data, forming a loop. This loop represents a flow.
4. Repeat the process to add more loops representing additional flows. The loops are automatically drawn from left to right, or right to left, depending on the data in the table.
**Step 5: Format and Style**
– Once you have all the loops drawn, right-click on one and choose “Add Data Label” if you want to label your paths.
– Adjust the width of the loops to clearly reflect the volume of flow by clicking and dragging the nodes (the square at both ends of the loop) to resize them.
– Customize the colors and formatting of your loops to better differentiate the flows.
– Use the “Format Data Labels” option (right-click on a loop and select “Add Data Label”) to include any additional information such as percentages or names of the flow paths.
**Step 6: Adjust the Sankey Chart**
After you’ve added all your flows, you may want to adjust the layout or formatting for better clarity:
– Use Excel’s “Move and Size” function to move your Sankey chart without losing any formatting.
– If your Sankey chart looks cluttered or difficult to read, modify the “Gap width” or “Overlap width” options found under the “Chart Tools” > “Format” > “Current Selection” > “Sankey Chart” tab.
Creating a Sankey chart in Excel might take a bit of patience, especially with complex data, but with some experimentation, you’ll be able to visually represent your process flows effectively.
