Sankey diagrams are a type of diagram that is widely used in fields such as economics, engineering, and science. They are also commonly used to visualize complex data, particularly when it is difficult to compare different values or visualize their relationship. In this article, we will provide a quick and intuitive guide on how to create and use sankey charts.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A sankey chart is a type of diagram that represents the flow of data over time. It is a graphic representation of a network that shows the flow of resources or information from one source to another. It consists of multiple lines that represent different flows, and each line is annotated with its source and destination. This allows you to easily see the flow of data from one point to another, and can be used to compare different sources or destinations.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a sankey chart involves selecting the data you want to visualize, arranging the flow lines and sources, and annotating them with the appropriate information. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Select your data: The first step is to select the data you want to visualize. This could be financial data, such as revenue from different sources or expenses from different departments, or data from a complex system such as energy consumption.

2. Arrange your data: Once you have selected your data, arrange it in a way that makes sense. You will need to decide how to represent each source and destination, and how to represent the flow of data between them.

3. Draw your lines: Create multiple lines representing the different flows. These lines should be drawn with the appropriate colors or markers to make it easy to distinguish between them.

4. Annotate your lines: Annotate each line with its source and destination information. This can be done by adding labels or annotations on each line.

5. Add labels: Add labels above each line that explain what the line represents. This can include information about the sources, destinations, and flow rates of each line.

6. Add axis labels: Add axis labels that show the units of measurement for each axis.

7. Customize your chart: Customize your chart by adjusting the colors, font sizes, and layout as needed.

Sankey Charts in Practice

Sankey charts are commonly used to represent complex data and visualize relationships between different resources or information. Here are some practical examples:

1. Sankey Chart for Electric Power Grid: An electric power grid uses multiple sources of energy and several different outlets for distribution. A sankey chart can show how the power is flowing through the grid, including information about where it comes from (sources), where it goes (destinations), and what it is used for (usage).

2. Sankey Chart for Energy Consumption: An energy consumption chart can show how energy is flowing through a building, including information about where it comes from (sources), where it goes (destinations), and what it is being used for (usage).

3. Sankey Chart for Sales Data: A sankey chart can show how sales are flowing from one source (e.g., distributors) to another (e.g., customers).

4. Sankey Chart for Investment Performance: A sankey chart can show how investments are flowing from one category (e.g., stocks) to another (e.g., returns).

In conclusion, sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data and relationships between different resources or information. By following these simple steps, you can create effective sankey charts that will help you communicate important information clearly and effectively.

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.