Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing flows, such as the movement of resources or data between different nodes. They use arrows or flow lines to show the direction and magnitude of the flow, making it easy to see where the largest flows are occurring and in what direction they’re moving. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using Sankey charts and delve into the process of creating one yourself.
Benefits of Sankey charts

1. Visualization of complex data: Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex data sets where there are multiple flows between nodes. They allow you to see the overall flow of data, as well as the relative importance of each flow, making it easier to understand and analyze large data sets.
2. Ability to show percentages: Sankey charts allow you to show the percentage of a flow that is going to each destination, which can help to identify the most important flows in your data set. This can be particularly useful when comparing flows across multiple time periods.

3. Easy to use: Sankey charts are relatively easy to create using a variety of tools, including Excel, R, and Python. There are also many online tools available that make it easy to create Sankey charts without any programming experience.
   Sankey chart creation tools

4. Excel: Excel has built-in tools for creating Sankey charts, making it easy to create a chart in just a few clicks. To create a Sankey chart in Excel, simply select your data, go to the “Insert” tab, and choose “Sankey chart” from the “Charts” section. Once your chart is created, you can easily customize it to fit your needs.

5. R: R is a popular programming language for data analysis, and it includes several libraries for creating Sankey charts. The “networkD3” package is one of the most popular libraries, and it makes it easy to create visually stunning Sankey charts using just a few lines of code.
6. Python: Python is another popular programming language for data analysis, and it includes several libraries for creating Sankey charts. One of the most popular libraries is “NetworkX”, which makes it easy to create Sankey charts using a simple API.
   4. Online tools: There are many online tools available that allow you to create Sankey charts without any programming experience. Some popular options include “Sisense”, “Datawrapper”, and “Canva”.

Applications of Sankey charts

1. Energy consumption: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy between different sources, such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, and waste. This can help policymakers understand where the largest flows are occurring and identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or products through a supply chain, showing the movement of goods between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This can help businesses identify bottlenecks and optimize their supply chain processes.
3. Social network analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information or influence between different individuals or groups within a social network. This can help researchers understand the patterns of information sharing and influence between different nodes in the network.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help you understand complex data sets and identify the most important flows in your data. They are easy to create and can be used in a variety of applications, from energy consumption to social network analysis. By leveraging the power of Sankey charts in your data analysis, you can gain valuable insights that can help you make better-informed decisions.

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.