Sankey Charts: Unleashing the Power of Visual Network Analysis

Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile visual representation of networks and the flow of goods, services, or information through them. They are an excellent tool for identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities in complex systems. In this article, we will explore how to create Sankey charts and the various applications of this powerful visualization tool.

What are Sankey Charts?

A Sankey chart is a type of network diagram that is used to show the flow of items through a system. It is named after英格丽·汉考克·桑基（英格丽·汉考克·桑基，Figure 1），一位英国工业工程师和统计学家，她在20世纪30年代发明了这种图表。

[Figure 1: English economist and statistician H.G. Saunders]

Sankey charts are useful for understanding the relationships between different components of a system and the flow of goods, services, or information through them. They are particularly useful in showing the interconnections between different parts of a system, and the direction and magnitude of the flow through those connections.

Sankey Chart Visualization

Sankey charts can be created using a number of different software programs, including Microsoft Excel, Visio, and Lucidchart. To create a Sankey chart in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Create a new Excel spreadsheet and paste in a list of the nodes in your network.
2. In the first cell of the first row, enter the name of the first node.
3. In the second cell of the first row, enter an equal sign (=) followed by the name of the second node.
4. In each subsequent row, enter the name of a new node followed by a line connecting it to the previous node, ending with an equal sign.
5. Press Ctrl+Shift+Y to hide the lines and only show the nodes, then save the spreadsheet as a Sankey chart.

Sankey Chart Applications

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications, including:

1. Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods through a supply chain, highlighting areas for improvement and potential bottlenecks.
2. Social Network Analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information between different individuals in a social network.
3. Economic Analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods and services between different countries or regions.
4. Environmental Analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants through an ecosystem, highlighting areas for improvement and potential sources of pollution.
5. Research and Development: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of ideas, research, and development between different teams or departments within an organization.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile visual representation of networks and the flow of goods, services, or information through them. They are an excellent tool for identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities in complex systems. By understanding the network flow, we can make better decisions and optimize operational processes to achieve our goals. Whether you are managing a supply chain, analyzing a social network, or conducting research, Sankey charts can help you gain a deeper understanding of your data. So go ahead, unlock the power of visual network analysis with Sankey charts.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.