A Sankey chart is a diagram used to visualize complex data networks. It is commonly used in finance, politics, and other fields where information about how data flows is important.
There are two types of Sankey charts: the classic and the hybrid. The classic Sankey chart breaks down a network of nodes and connections into lines and nodes representing the direction and amount of flow. The hybrid Sankey chart combines both the classic and the classic with a color-coded value at the bottom for each line.
How to create a Sankey chart
To create a Sankey chart, you will need some information about the data network you want to analyze. Here are the steps you can follow to create a classic Sankey chart:
- Identify the nodes and connections in your data network. The nodes represent the starting and ending points of the flow, and the connections represent the flow itself.
- For each connection, calculate the amount of flow and its direction. If the flow is moving from left to right, add a “right” key value to the node for that connection. If the flow is moving from right to left, add a “left” key value to the opposite node.
- Choose a color code to represent each flow direction. Common choices include green for right, red for left, and blue for both, and yellow for neither.
- Draw the lines for each connection on the chart. Label them with the appropriate direction and value, and choose a line thickness that reflects the flow rate.
To create a hybrid Sankey chart, follow these steps:
- Choose colors that represent the value of each flow direction. For example, if a flow has a value of $1 million, use a color code that represents $1 million. For negative flows, use colors that represent negative amounts.
- Draw lines for each connection on the chart, connecting the associated nodes and colors. Label them with the appropriate value and direction.
- Choose a thickness for each line that reflects the flow rate.
Applications of Sankey charts
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of industries and fields. Here are a few examples:
- Finance: Used to analyze data on investment flows, loan relationships, and more.
- Politics: Used to analyze data on voting, campaign contributions, and more.
- Marketing: Used to analyze customer flows, product usage, and more.
- Healthcare: Used to analyze patient flow in clinics and hospitals, drug usage, and more.
- Environmental studies: Used to analyze water flow, waste management, and more.
Conclusion
Sankey charts can be a useful tool for analyzing complex data networks. By breaking down data into lines and colors, it becomes easier to visualize and understand the relationships between different data sources. Whether you’re an analyst or a business owner, using Sankey charts can help you make more informed decisions about your data and how it’s being used.
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