Flow with the Numbers: Unveiling the Magic of Sankey Charts

In a world swamped with data, visual tools that can untangle the complexity of numeric information are invaluable. Among the numerous graph types available, Sankey charts stand out for their unique ability to depict the flow of various quantities through a system, making them an excellent choice for analyzing systems where resources, energy, or information is transferred from one entity to another.

The Sankey Chart: A Visual Tool to Navigate Complexity

What is a Sankey chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flow diagram that uses directed arrows to represent variables (flows) as they move through the system. Typically, Sankey charts feature horizontal and vertical lines that form channels, or “streams,” for directed fluxes. The width of each stream denotes the amount of flow, with thinner streams indicating lesser quantifies and thicker streams indicating higher quantifies. This distinct visual cue helps observers quickly perceive the significance of different flow levels.

Unveiling the Magic: How Sankey Charts Work

Sankey charts operate on a set of basic principles:

Stream Width: The width of each line corresponds to the magnitude of the flow. By simply glancing at the widths, viewers can quickly assess which flows are most prominent.
Arrow Directions: Arrows depict the direction in which the flow moves. The flow can be depicted as positive if it represents a gain or as negative if it represents a loss.
Connection Points: These are the points where different lines intersect, indicating the point of flow transfer.
Energy Flow: Sankey charts are particularly useful for showing the transfer of energy or materials, or the movement of information and goods, illustrating the relationships between components and their contributions to an overall system.

Crafting a Sankey Chart: The Art of Creation

Creating a Sankey chart can be a straightforward or complex process, depending on the specific software or manual methods used. Here’s an overview of the steps typically involved:

Collect Data: Begin with the data that represents the system you’re analyzing. Ensure that the dataset contains the flows and the respective quantities.
Choose Software: Select a software program like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Adobe Illustrator, or specialized tools like Sankey diagram makers such as Sankey Flow or Gephi for a more hands-on approach.
Set Up the Framework: Create the horizontal and vertical lines that will form the basic structure of your Sankey chart. The orientation will depend on the nature of your data and the preferences of the software.
Assign Flows: Using the data collected, assign the flows to the respective lines, making sure you respect directionality and magnitudes.
Adjust Widths: As previously stated, the width of each line should represent the magnitude of the flow. In most software, you’ll input this data to automatically expand or narrow the channels accordingly;
Add Labels: Clearly categorize the flows while also labeling the source and destination points in a readable and useful manner.
Final Touch: Review the chart, looking for any discrepancies in flows relative to the size of streams. Adjust as necessary.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have diverse applications in a variety of fields:

Energy Efficiency: They can illustrate energy usage in buildings, production processes, or industrial systems, helping engineers and policymakers identify areas for improvement.
Environmental Impact: Sankey diagrams can show the carbon flow in a manufacturing process to highlight environmental concerns.
Finance: In finance, they can be used to visualize money flowing in and out of various accounts or to depict changes in a company’s financial structure over time.
Network Analysis: Sankey charts are exceptional for network traffic analysis, where they can map data packets as they move through routers and switches.

Conclusion

The Sankey chart is more than just a graphical device; it is designed to reveal the hidden dynamics in systems with multiple components and flows. By providing a clear, intuitive visualization, Sankey charts help users navigate complex systems and make actionable insights from large and intricate datasets. Whether you’re analyzing energy systems, financial data, or network traffic, the Sankey chart is sure to flow with your need for clear, engaging, and compelling numbers.

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.