Sankey charts are a popular way to visualize flows of data, information, or materials. Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram where the width of the arrows is proportional to the flow rate at that point. In this article, we will explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts, as well as some tips and tricks to make them more visually appealing and informative.
Creation of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be created using various tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Google Sheets, and data visualization libraries such as D3.js. Here is a basic outline of the steps involved in creating a Sankey chart in Microsoft Excel:
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Prepare your data: You will need to have a table of data with three columns: source, target, and flow. The flow column should contain the amount that flows from the source to the target.
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Select the data: Highlight the range of cells that contains your data table.
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Insert a Sankey chart: Go to the ‘Insert’ tab, scroll down and choose Sankey Flow Chart from the ‘Charts’ section.
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Customize your chart: Add labels to your chart, change the colors, and adjust other elements such as the start and end points of the chart.
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Test your chart: Make sure that the chart accurately represents your data and that all the elements are visible and easy to understand.
Applications of Sankey Charts
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Energy flow diagrams: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy from one source to another. For example, you can use a Sankey chart to show how energy flows through a power plant.
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Material flow diagrams: Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of materials through a manufacturing process or in a supply chain.
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Data flow diagrams: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data through a website, a computer system, or a network.
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Information flow diagrams: Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of information through a company or between different departments or teams.
Tips for Creating Effective Sankey Charts
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Use simple labels: Make sure that your labels are clear and concise, and that they accurately reflect the data being represented.
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Use color-coded labels: Use color-coded labels to distinguish between different sources, targets, and flows. This can help the viewer quickly grasp the key relationships in the data.
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Use a consistent scale: Use a consistent scale for the arrows in your chart, so that the viewer can easily compare the relative sizes of different flows.
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Use arrows to indicate direction: Use arrows to clearly indicate the direction of the flow of data, information, or materials.
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Use a legend: Use a legend to explain the meaning of different colors, labels, and symbols used in your chart.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing flows, and can be used in a wide range of applications. By following these tips and guidelines, you can create effective and informative Sankey charts that will help your viewers understand your data more quickly and easily.
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