Sankey charts are a visual tool that are commonly used to represent the direction of flows or relationships between two or more entities. They are often used in the fields of sociology, economics, and social networks to illustrate the flow of information or resources.
One of the key advantages of using a sankey chart is that it makes complex data visually clear and easy to understand. By visually illustrating the flow of a system, it’s possible to quickly spot patterns and understand the relationships between different entities. This can be especially useful when dealing with large amounts of data or when trying to convey a message that is difficult to explain with words alone.
To create a sankey chart, start by identifying the nodes and links (flow elements) of the system you want to illustrate. In a sankey chart, the nodes are typically the entities (such as individuals, organizations, or resources) that are being represented, and the links are the flows (such as money, information, or resources) that exist between them.
There are several different types of sankey charts, including:

• Multiple-sink sankey charts, which show the outflow from a central entity, such as a country or organization.
• Multiple-source sankey charts, which show the inflow into a central entity, such as a person or project.
• Directed sankey charts, which show the direction of the flow, such as from a supplier to a buyer.

Once the flow elements of the system have been identified, it’s time to create the sankey chart. There are several software options available for creating sankey charts, including Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and specialized software like Draw.io or Lucidchart.
To create a sankey chart in Microsoft Excel, you can use the following steps:

• Open Microsoft Excel and create a new sheet.
• Create a new chart by going to the “Insert” tab and selecting “Sankey Chart.”
• Drag the node and flow elements onto the chart using the drag-and-drop tools.
• Format the chart by adjusting the size of the nodes and links, assigning symbols to the flow elements, and setting the orientation to either horizontal or vertical.
• Preview the chart to ensure that all the flow elements are accurately placed and that the direction of the flow is clearly visible.

Creating a sankey chart with Google Sheets is similar to using Microsoft Excel. Here are the steps to create a sankey chart in Google Sheets:

• Open Google Sheets and create a new spreadsheet.
• Create a new chart by selecting “Insert” and then “Sankey Chart.”
• Drag the node and flow elements onto the chart using the drag-and-drop tools.
• Format the chart by adjusting the size of the nodes and links, assigning symbols to the flow elements, and setting the orientation to either horizontal or vertical.
• Preview the chart to ensure that all the flow elements are accurately placed and that the direction of the flow is clearly visible.

To create a sankey chart with a specialized software like Draw.io, simply follow the steps for drawing a sankey diagram.

Sankey charts can be used for a wide range of applications, including:

• Understanding the flow of information or resources in social media networks.
• Analyzing the flow of goods and services in supply chains.
• Examing the flow of information in academic research networks.
• Visualizing the flow of money in a corporation or organization.

Overall, sankey charts can be a powerful tool for visualizing complex data and communicating ideas effectively. They are easy to use and can be applied to a wide range of fields, making them a valuable addition to any professional toolkit.

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