Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help you unravel complex data and understand the flow of information, resources, or energy. Named after its inventor, Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, these charts have been used to illustrate various flows, from energy consumption patterns to financial transactions. In this article, we’ll explore how to create Sankey charts and discuss their applications in different fields.

What Are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that visually represents the movement of quantities between different points. The width of the arrows or bands is proportional to the flow quantity, making it easy to see which connections have the most significant impact. This type of chart is particularly useful when you want to compare flows and understand the relationships between different sources and destinations.

Key Features of Sankey Charts

1. Flow Representation: The most distinctive feature of Sankey charts is the representation of flows. Arrows or bands are used to indicate the direction and magnitude of the flow.
2. Node Connections: Nodes represent the start or end points of the flow, and they are connected by bands or arrows that show how the flow moves between them.
3. Proportional Widths: The width of each band is proportional to the flow quantity, making it easy to compare the sizes of different flows at a glance.
4. Color Coding: Colors can be used to distinguish different types of flows or to highlight specific segments within the chart.

Creating Sankey Charts

Tools for Creating Sankey Charts

There are various tools available for creating Sankey charts, both online and offline. Some popular options include:

• Online Tools: Tools like Sankey Maker (https://www.sankey-diagram.net/) and Visme (https://www.visme.co/sankey-diagrams/) offer user-friendly interfaces for creating Sankey diagrams without needing to write any code.
• Data Visualization Libraries: For developers and data analysts, libraries like D3.js (https://d3js.org/sankey/) and Plotly (https://plotly.com/javascript/sankey-diagrams/) provide APIs for embedding Sankey charts in web applications or integrating them into data analysis workflows.

Steps to Create a Sankey Chart

1. Gather Data: Collect the data that you want to visualize in your Sankey chart. This typically includes source nodes, destination nodes, and the flow quantities between them.
2. Prepare Data Format: Ensure your data is in a format that can be easily read by your chosen tool. Common formats include CSV, JSON, or Excel files.
3. Select a Tool: Choose a tool based on your technical expertise and the complexity of the chart you want to create.
4. Input Data: Enter your data into the tool according to its specific requirements.
5. Customize Your Chart: Adjust colors, labels, and other visual elements to enhance readability and aesthetics.
6. Review and Publish: Check the chart for accuracy and make any necessary adjustments before finalizing it.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are versatile and can be applied across various fields:

1. Energy Consumption: Visualize energy flows in power grids, showing how energy moves from sources like power plants to consumers.
2. Supply Chain Management: Illustrate the flow of goods from suppliers to manufacturers and retailers, highlighting bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
3. Financial Transactions: Map out financial flows within organizations or between different entities, revealing patterns in spending and revenue.
4. Data Flow in IT Systems: Understand how data moves through an IT infrastructure, identifying hotspots and inefficiencies.
5. Environmental Studies: Analyze carbon footprints or pollution flows in ecosystems, showing the impact of human activities.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are an indispensable tool for unraveling complex data and visualizing flows in a way that is both intuitive and informative. By choosing the right tool, preparing your data effectively, and customizing your chart for clarity, you can create powerful visual representations that help you make sense of intricate systems and relationships. Whether you’re working in energy, finance, logistics, or environmental science, Sankey charts offer a unique perspective that can lead to valuable insights and better decision-making.

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.