Sankey charts have become a popular tool for visualising complex data. They are particularly useful when dealing with proportional flow diagrams or when you want to compare different sets of data. In this article, we will explore these charts, their creation and use, and give you some tips for creating a visually appealing and informative sankey chart.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A sankey chart is a type of flow chart that visualises the flow of data or information. These charts can be used to illustrate a set of relationships between specific types of information. Sankey charts are often used to visualise complex relationships between different datasets, including time series data, demographic data, and sales data, among others. They are also useful for visualising the flow of money or resources from one source to another.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
To create a sankey chart, you need to start with your data. You will need to identify the sources, destinations, and types of data involved. Once you have your data, you can use a software tool to create a sankey chart visualization of it.
To create a sankey chart, you need to:
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Visualize the data flow: Determine where the source data flows into the chart and where it flows out. These are the two key lines on the sankey chart.
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Identify the types of data: Determine what kind of data you are visualising on each node and edge on the sankey chart. This will help you determine the color and style of each line.
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Analyse the data flow: Determine if there are any relationships or patterns in the data flow. If there are, you can apply that to your sankey chart.
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Visualize the data flow: Use a graphing software to create a sankey chart that shows the data flow in a visual way. Make sure your sankey chart is clear and easy to understand, with a good balance of visual elements and text.
Why Choose Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be a useful and effective tool for visualising complex data. Here are some of the reasons why:
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Easy to understand: Sankey charts are easy to understand because they are simple to draw and understand. They also don’t require advanced technical skills, making them a good choice for people who want to visualise complex datasets.
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Useful for understanding relationships between datasets: Sankey charts can help you identify the relationships between different datasets in a way that would be hard to do with a traditional flow chart.
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Useful for comparing data: Sankey charts can help you compare different sets of data in a way that it is easier to understand. You can draw lines between different data sets, which illustrates their relationship with each other.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualising complex data. They are easy to understand, useful for understanding relationships between datasets, and have the potential to clarify data flow in a way that would be hard to do with traditional flow charts. You can create a sankey chart using a graphing software or create one manually. Remember to carefully consider your data and interpret your results carefully to understand the relationships between different datasets visually.
SankeyMaster
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