Sankey charts are a type of flow visualization that can be used to represent the movement of data or material between different entities. They are named after Scottish engineer and physicist, Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who introduced them in the mid-19th century to demonstrate the energy consumption of a steam engine.
In this article, we will explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts, also known as Sankey diagrams, for data visualization and analysis. We will start with the basics of creating a Sankey chart and then delve into some advanced use cases and techniques for leveraging Sankey diagrams to gain valuable insights from complex data flows.
Creating a Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you will need to provide a data set that includes the following information:

• Source entities: the starting points of the flows
• Target entities: the end points of the flows
• Flow values: the amount of data or material passing through each link between source and target entities
• Flow labels: optional text labels that can be added to each link to provide more context

Once you have this data set, you can use various software tools, such as Tableau, R, or Python libraries like NetworkX, to create a Sankey diagram. The diagram will typically include a rectangular layout of the source entities at the top, a rectangular layout of the target entities at the bottom, and curved links that connect the source and target entities to show the flow of data or material.
To make the Sankey chart more readable and informative, you can customize the appearance of the diagram, such as:

• Color of the links: you can assign different colors to different flows based on criteria such as the source or target entities, the flow values, or specific categories.
• Label placement: you can adjust the position and size of the text labels on the links to make them more visible and informative.
• Link width: you can adjust the width of the links based on the flow values to make the flows more prominent and distinguishable.

Using Sankey Charts for Data Analysis
Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex data flows and identifying patterns and relationships between entities. Here are some of the applications and use cases for Sankey diagrams:

• Energy consumption: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy between different sources, storage facilities, and end-user sectors. This can help identify energy losses or inefficiencies, and optimize energy distribution.
• Supply chain analysis: Sankey diagrams can show the flow of goods or materials between manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers, and reveal bottlenecks or congestion points.
• Financial flows: Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of money between investors, financial intermediaries, and projects, and identify investment patterns or risks.
• Web site navigation: Sankey diagrams can show the flow of visitors between web pages, highlighting popular paths and dead ends.
• Social networks: Sankey charts can represent the flow of connections or relationships between individuals or entities, and reveal patterns of influence or collaboration.

In summary, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing and understanding complex data flows. By customizing the appearance and layout of the diagram, and analyzing the patterns and relationships revealed by the flows, you can gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions to optimize processes, improve efficiency, or identify new opportunities.

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