Sankey charts are a type of data visualization that offer a unique way to visualize relationships between data sources and outputs. Unlike traditional line charts, sankey charts are not merely used to compare values. Instead, they are used to visualize the flow of data, or more formally, to represent how the flows between data sources and outputs are distributed.
In this article, we will explore the power of sankey charts in unlocking data visualization and provide tips for creating effective sankey charts.
Introduction
Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that offers a unique view of the relationships between data sources and outputs. They are often used in fields such as finance, economics, and engineering to visually represent the flow of data or resources.
The basic structure of a sankey chart consists of a series of arcs that represent the relationships between data sources and outputs. Each arc is assigned with a value that represents the flow of data or resources. The direction of the arcs is important, as the flow is determined by the direction. For example, if the data source is to the right and the output is to the left, then the flow would be negative. Conversely, if the data source is to the top and the output is to the bottom, then the flow would be positive.
Application of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of settings to help visualize relationships between data sources and outputs. They can be used to analyze the flow of data between departments or locations within an organization, or the flow of resources between economic sectors. They can also be used to analyze the flow of information or knowledge between individuals or organizations.
As an example, let’s say you are working at a retail company and want to analyze the flow of sales data between different departments. To do this, you could use a sankey chart to represent the flow of sales data. The arc would represent the department, and the value would represent the amount of sales data flowing in that direction. This would help you understand how sales data is distributed between different departments and how this affects overall sales performance.
Tips for Creating Effective sankey Charts
Creating effective sankey charts requires a few key factors. First, it is important to visualize the key relationships between data sources and outputs. It is also important to set meaningful values for the flow of data or resources in order to understand the flow better. Finally, it is important to make the sankey chart easy to read and understand, with clear directions and labels.
For example, in our example of the retail company, the flow of sales data would be represented by a sankey chart that had departments as the arcs with arrows pointing in one direction. The value of the arc would be the amount of sales data flowing in that direction, with a negative value to represent flow in the opposite direction. This would help the company understand how sales data is distributed between departments and how this affects overall sales performance.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing relationships between data sources and outputs. By understanding the flow of data or resources, you can gain deeper insights into the data and make informed decisions. With its intuitive interface and key features, sankey charts can be a valuable tool for any type of data analysis.

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