Sankey charts are a powerful data visualization tool that can help you visualize complex data in a clear and easy-to-understand way. Created by the British physicist and engineer Benjamin Sankey, Sankey charts are a visual representation of the flow of resources or information between different entities in a network.
In this article, we will explore the basics of how to create your own Sankey chart and how to use this powerful tool to explore complex data.
1. What are Sankey charts?
Sankey charts are a visual representation of the flow of resources or information between different entities in a network. They are essentially a directed graph, where each node represents a different entity and each edge represents a flow of resources or information between entities. The nodes are connected by directed arcs, which indicate the direction of the flow.
2. How to create a Sankey chart
Creating a Sankey chart is relatively simple once you know how to set up the nodes and the flow of information. Here are the steps to create a Sankey chart:
1. Determine the entities: In this step, you need to identify the entities that you want to represent in your graph. You could be representing resources or information flow in an organization, or you could represent the flow of data between different sources and destinations.
2. Choose the nodes and edges: In this step, you will identify the nodes for each entity in your network and the edges that represent the flows of resources or information. You can choose to use solid or dashed lines, and you can also add a label to each edge representing the direction of the flow.
3. Connect the nodes: In this step, you will connect the nodes in your graph using directed arcs. Each node should be connected to exactly one other node, reflecting the flow of information or resources between them.
4. Add labels: Add labels to each node and edge to help explain the flow of information or resources. Make sure the labels are clear and easy to understand.
5. Customize your chart: In this step, you can make any adjustments to your Sankey chart to make it more visually appealing or easier to understand. For example, you can adjust the color, font, or style of the nodes and edges to match your branding or the data you are representing.
6. Customize the axes: You can also customize the axes of your Sankey chart to make them more useful. For example, you can use horizontal or vertical axes to show different aspects of the flow of information, or you can create different scales for different types of data.
7. Save your chart: Once you have created your Sankey chart, save it as a file so you can share it with others or use it in other creative ways.
Sankey charts can be used in a wide range of industries and fields, from science and engineering to health care and finance. Here are some examples of how Sankey charts are used in different fields:
* Science and engineering: In fields such as physics and computer science, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of information between different entities or components of a system.
* Health care: In healthcare, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of information between different entities such as patients, doctors, and hospitals.
* Finance: In finance, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of information between different entities such as lenders, borrowers, and investment funds.
* Social sciences: In social sciences, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of information between different entities such as individuals, groups, and organizations.
* Supply chains: In supply chains, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of resources between different suppliers, producers, and customers.
* Marketing and sales: In marketing and sales, Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of information between different entities such as customers, salespeople, and suppliers.
Sankey charts can also be used to help with team collaboration and communication. By visualizing the flow of information between different entities, team members can better understand the steps involved in a process or workflow, and make more informed decisions.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful data visualization tool that can help you explore complex data in an easy-to-understand way. Creating your own Sankey chart is relatively simple, and you can use this tool to visualize the flow of information between different entities in a network. By understanding the basics of how to create and customize a Sankey chart, you can use this tool to communicate effectively and help your team work more efficiently.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.