Sankey charts are a type of data visualization that can be used to depict complex and inter-related data sets. They are highly effective for presenting flows between different sources and destinations, which can be seen as a form of “flow diagrams”. Additionally, they can be used to provide information about the underlying structures of the data.

Sankey charts are not like the rectangular bar charts that we are familiar with. In bars, data is presented in a column with categories and its frequency, while in a line chart, each point on a line represents a point in time. However, in a sankey chart, the categories are not represented by the horizontal axis, but rather by the vertical axis. The vertical axis represents the amount of data, while the horizontal axis represents the source and destination.

Sankey charts begin with drawing a series of arcs and connecting them to depict a flow. The arcs are usually drawn in line and can be joined at the end points with a point. They can also be connected through links between the source and destination. The arcs represent the source, and the links between them the destinations.

Sankey charts have a number of applications. In fact, they are used widely in the business, finance, and engineering fields. For instance, when analyzing supply chain data to track inventory levels, or when creating a project flow chart to help the management team understand the project flow, sankey charts can be used to visualize the information.

In terms of the style and substance of sankey charts, the choice of colors, sizes and shapes of the nodes and links depend on the type of data being presented. For instance, nodes that represent the endpoints of the flow are given different shades of colours, and the color is usually in the form of shades that correspond to the source category value. Additionally, nodes and links can be connected by a curve that varies in length based on the flow value. The length of the curve can help identify the main flow, or the direction of the flow.

In conclusion, sankey charts are a useful tool for presenting complex and interrelated data. The style of the sankey chart can change the way the information is portrayed, allowing a better explanation of the data. The choice of colors, sizes and shapes of the nodes and links depend on the type of data being presented. By employing sankey charts, data can be visualized more effectively, making it easier to understand the data being presented.

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