Introduction
Sankey charts have emerged as a new trend in data visualization, providing a visual representation of relationships and flow in a complex dataset. They are particularly useful when analyzing flows or data streams, such as in business intelligence, network analysis, or energy consumption. In this article, we will be delving into the basics of Sankey charts and their applications, helping you understand how to create and use them effectively.
What is a Sankey Chart
A Sankey chart is a diagrammatic representation of a flow or a network of relationships between various entities. The chart is typically made up of a network of arrows and lines connecting entities, with the flow direction indicated by the arrowheads. The entities and their relationships are represented in labels or annotations at the vertices of the network. The flow direction between entities is indicated by an arrow on the edge between them.
Types of Sankey Charts
There are two main types of Sankey charts: the binary and the multistage diagrammatics. The binary Sankey chart has one-way flow between entities, where if the arrow is moving from entity A to entity B, it means the flow is from B to A. The multistage diagrams have multiple ways of flow and are often used in network analysis tasks.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Sankey charts can be created in numerous software tools, including Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and IBM Qlik Sense. However, the basic steps are as follows:
1. Define the entities and their relationships: Identify the entities you want to represent in the chart, and determine the relationships between them. These can be represented in labels or annotations at the vertices of the network.
2. Define the flow direction: Determine the direction of the arrows representing the flow between entities. An arrow moving from B to A is considered positive, while an arrow moving from A to B is considered negative.
3. Determine the colors and sizes of the vertices: Color coding and size differentiation are important in distinguishing different entities in the diagram. Colors and sizes can help draw attention to important datasets or highlight the importance of entities.
4. Add the arrows and lines: Place the arrows and lines representing the flow between entities at vertices of the network. The flow direction can be represented by the arrowheads if the arrow is moving from B to A.
5. Create the Sankey chart: Place the vertices, arrows, and lines on the chart, and adjust the layout based on your requirements.
How to Apply Sankey Charts in Data Analysis
Sankey charts are particularly useful in data analysis for complex problem-solving tasks, such as data stream analysis, flow analysis, and network analysis. Some of the applications of Sankey charts in data analysis are as follows:

• Visualizing complex datasets: Sankey charts can be used to visualize large datasets that are difficult to grasp or analyze visually due to their complexity.
• Analyzing flows and flow analysis: Sankey charts can be used to analyze flows and flow analysis involves mapping the direction and intensity of flow between various parties.
• Network analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize networks or complex relationships between entities.
• Monitoring and analysis of business performance: Sankey charts can be used to monitor and analyze the flow of goods, services, and information among different departments and locations within a business.

Conclusion
Sankey charts have become a popular tool in data analysis and visualization due to their versatility, flexibility, and ease of use. They provide a visual representation of relationships and flows in a dataset, which can be useful for complex problem-solving tasks. Whether you are analyzing a business dataset or analyzing complex workflows, Sankey charts can help you visualize both the flow and the relationships in a dataset. So, if you’re looking to transform your data visualization, consider incorporating Sankey charts into your arsenal.

SankeyMaster

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