The world of visualizations is vast, and there are plenty of tools and techniques for creating them. One of these techniques is the Sankey chart, an alternative to the bar chart and pie chart. The Sankey chart can be used to represent energy flow and its visualization can make complex data more accessible and easy to understand. In this article, we will explore the world of Sankey charts, explore the applications of this visualization technique, and learn how to create one yourself.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of chart that uses a flow network to visualize energy flow. A flow network is a graph where each node represents a source or sink, and each edge represents a flow of energy. The direction and magnitude of the flow can be represented by the thickness of the wire or arrows. A Sankey chart is a type of network diagram that visually represents the directionality, rate, volume, and source/destination of a fluid system. It’s useful for creating visual representations of the flow of energy, information, or materials across a network.
Sankey Chart Applications
Sankey charts are not just limited to energy flow, they can be used for various other types of data. For example:
- Flow of information: A Sankey chart can visualize the flow of information across a social media network, from a tweet to a conversation thread, or between different articles.
- Flow of goods: Sankey charts can represent the flow of goods between different destinations, such as shipping routes or supply chains.
- Flow of money: Sankey charts can also be used to visualize the flow of money in a company or across different departments.
- Flow of resources: Sankey charts can depict the flow of resources between different regions or ecosystems.
All these different applications require a different level of detail and interpretation of data, which make the Sankey chart quite versatile.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart involves several stages, but the key components are the source node, sink node, and the flow lines. You can create a Sankey chart in Excel, or even Google sheets, using a template and the template functions for connecting the lines. There is also a paid online tool called Draw.io that can be used for Sankey charts. You will need to have a basic understanding of network analysis to create a Sankey chart.
Sankey chart creation involves the following steps:
1. Determine the types of data and the flow networks: Identify the types of data, such as people or products, and the corresponding network, such as social network or supply chain.
2. Collect and sort the data: Gather the data for the network, and sort it according to the flow you wish to display.
3. Create the flow network: The Sankey chart is based on a flow network, but to make it distinct, the network is visualized on a coordinate system. The x-axis represents the horizontal axis, and the y-axis represents the vertical axis.
4. Determine the direction of the flow: Once you have the network created, the direction of the flow must be established. Make sure the colors in the flow line correspond to their flow source or sink.
5. Use the template and functions in the tool to create the chart: Excel has templates that are useful for starting a Sankey chart, or some online tools have built-in functions that can create Sankey charts. Once you have filled in the template or used the built-in functions, the chart is complete.
Conclusion
In summary, a Sankey chart is a type of network diagram that visually represents the directionality, rate, volume, and source/destination of a fluid system. The Sankey chart has many applications in various fields, such as energy flow, information flow, and resource flow. Creating a Sankey chart involves several stages, but it’s an incredibly useful tool for visualizing complex data. With the right training, anyone can create a Sankey chart, which makes it a valuable addition to any data visualization toolset.
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