Sankey charts are a type of visualization that use a flowchart-like structure to represent data flows and relationships between different entities. They are often used in fields such as engineering, healthcare, finance, and biology. This article will provide a guide to using Sankey charts in data visualization and applications.
Step 1: Define the Data for the Sankey Chart
The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to define the data that will be displayed. This involves selecting the entities in the data you want to visualize and determining the flows that connect them. The entities in the data must have a common relationship, such as a cause and effect relationship or a dependency relationship. Once the entities have been identified and the flows have been determined, you can start drawing the Sankey chart.
Step 2: Draw the Sankey Chart
Once you have defined the data, the next step is to draw the Sankey chart. The structure of the chart should be a flowchart with entities connected to each other by flow lines. You can use an online tool or software to create the chart. Make sure to add appropriate labels to each line and entity to make the chart easier to understand.
Step 3: Customize the Sankey Chart
There are many customization options available to customize the Sankey chart. You can adjust the scale of the chart, change the color of the lines and entities, adjust the width of the lines and entities, and add annotation to the chart to make it more informative.
Step 4: Display the Sankey Chart
Once you have created the Sankey chart, the last step is to display it. You can use a website, software, or even an HTML page to display the chart. This will be displayed as a line chart or a dot chart depending on the chart type you chose when creating the Sankey chart.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of fields to visualize data flows and relationships between entities. Some of the fields where they are commonly used include:
- Engineering: Engineers can use Sankey charts to visualize data flows in systems, such as the flow of electricity through a power plant.
- Healthcare: Healthcare professionals can use Sankey charts to visualize patient flow in a hospital, such as the flow of doctors and patients between departments.
- Finance: Finance professionals can use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of money in a business or industry, such as the flow of capital from savings to investment.
- Biology: Biologists can use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of nutrients and waste in an ecosystem, such as the flow of carbon dioxide through a plant.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data flows and relationships between entities. With a few simple steps, you can create a Sankey chart that is easy to understand and provide valuable insights into the data. As more tools and software become available to draw Sankey charts, the possibilities for using this visualization technique are nearly endless. Whether you are a data analyst, a business professional, or simply someone who is interested in data visualization, Sankey charts offer a unique way to make complex data more accessible and understandable.
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.
