Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that are commonly used in data analysis to visually represent the flow of information or data between various points. These charts are particularly useful for understanding the relationships between different data sets, and can be used to analyze network structures, economic systems, and other complex systems.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the power of sankey charts and explore their creation and applications in data visualization. We will cover the basics of sankey charts, explain how to create them using different tools, and demonstrate how to use sankey charts to visualize complex data structures.
Creating sankey charts

Creating sankey charts is a relatively straightforward process and can be done using a variety of tools and software, including Microsoft Excel, Lucidchart, Canva, and many others. Here are the general steps to create a sankey chart:

1. Identify the data you want to visualize: The first step in creating a sankey chart is to identify the data you want to visualize. This could be data from surveys, experiments, or other sources.

2. Create a flow diagram structure: Based on the data you have identified, create a flow diagram structure that represents the relationships between different data sets. You can use flowcharting tools like Lucidchart or Canva to create a flow diagram.

3. Add labels to the chart: Once you have created the flow diagram, add labels to each node and edge to indicate the relationship between the different data sets.

4. Choose the chart type: You can choose between two types of sankey charts: directed flow charts that show the direction of flow, and undirected flow charts that show the flow without indicating direction.

5. Customize the chart: Once you have created the sankey chart, customize it to your liking using various options such as color and formatting.

Applying sankey charts in data visualization

sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data structures and relationships. They are particularly useful in analyzing systems and networks, such as the global economy or a company’s supply chain.

Sankey charts can be applied in various ways to analyze different types of data. For example:

1. Visualizing the flow of information between different sources, such as the flow of data produced by surveys or experiments.

2. Visualizing the flow of information between different targets, such as the flow of ideas or policies generated by a political system.

3. Visualizing the flow of data between different components of a system, such as the flow between different departments or levels of a company.

Overall, sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing complex data structures and relationships. By using sankey charts, you can gain a better understanding of the relationships between different data sets and discover new insights and patterns.

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