Introduction
Sankey charts are a chart type that is used in data analysis. It is commonly used to visualize hierarchical and complex data, making it ideal for analyzing complex networks. Sankey charts can be used to represent flow of information, flow of goods, and flow of money.
However, creating and understanding Sankey charts can be a bit complex, particularly when you don’t know where to start. This article aims to help you understand how to create and understand Sankey charts by simplifying the process and providing you with a comprehensive guide to visualization techniques.
Understanding the Basics of Sankey Chart
Before creating a Sankey chart, it’s important to understand its basic structure. A sankey chart consists of nodes and links connecting those nodes. The nodes represent the sources or destinations of the flow, and the links represent them.
The nodes of a sankey chart are typically labeled with the source or destination of the flow. For example, if you have a Sankey chart showing a flow of people going to a party, each person is a node and the party location is a node.
The links of a sankey chart connect the nodes. They are generally represented by arrows or other visual cues such as stars or circles. The length of the link represents the flow of information, goods or money from one node to another.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart involves using the correct visual elements that represent nodes, sources and destinations, and links between them. Once the structure of the sankey chart is created, the data can be visualized on the chart.
The process for creating a sankey chart varies depending on the software being used. In some cases, the software might automatically generate the chart by default, while in other cases, you might have to manually design the chart. Typically, the process involves selecting the flow of interest and creating nodes and links based on that flow.
Steps to create a sankey chart in Excel
If you’re looking to create a sankey chart in Excel, the following steps will guide you through the process:
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Open Excel and select the data or sheet you wish to create a sankey chart for.
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Select the cells or data that will be used to create the sankey chart. You can click a cell and select the data you want, or copy and paste the data from another worksheet or data source.
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In the Insert tab, click “Graphs” and select “Sankey”. Choose the type of sankey chart you want, whether it’s a horizontal or vertical, and click “OK”.
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A new window will appear with the sankey chart setup. Choose the nodes and links you want, and the chart will automatically appear.
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If you want to customize or edit the chart, use the “Sankey” function to customize the labels of your nodes, update the link direction, or adjust the length of the paths.
Creating a Sankey Chart in Tableau
If you’re using Tableau, creating a sankey chart is easy. Here are the steps to create a sankey chart in Tableau:
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Import your data into Tableau.
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From the Tableau Home tab, select Connect to connect to a data source like Excel, Google Sheets, or CSV file.
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Select the data source and run the analysis with the “Connect to Data and Add it to a Tableau Workspace” option.
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Select the sankey chart type from the Chart Type drop-down menu. Choose the data from the Source column and drop the data into the Chart View.
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Customize the sankey chart by adjusting the labels, the direction and length of the links, or the flow of the data.
Simple Steps to Create a Sankey Chart Using Geosoft
If you’re using Geosoft GIS software, there are numerous ways to create a sankey chart in Geosoft. Here are the steps:
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Open Geosoft and create a new spreadsheet.
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Import the data you want to visualize using the “Insert from Spreadsheet” option.
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Choose the sankey chart by selecting “Graphs,” and choose “Vertical” for the sankey chart orientation.
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Set the nodes’ coordinates by placing the cursor on the chart and dragging the nodes. The software will adjust the links automatically.
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Adjust the nodes’ labels, direction and length of the links as desired.
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Add labels to the nodes with the “Create Labels” function.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for analyzing complex data, but creating and understanding the charts can be quite complex. This article has provided you with a comprehensive guide on simplifying the process and providing you with the tools you need to create and understand sankey charts. By following these steps, you can visualize your data in a way that makes it easier for you to understand and analyze.
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