Unleashing the Power of Process: Navigating Data with Sankey Charts
Data can be overwhelming. With so much information available at our fingertips, it can be difficult to understand and analyze it all. That’s where Sankey charts come in. These powerful data visualization tools allow you to easily navigate and understand complex data sets by highlighting the relationships between different entities.
What are Sankey charts, and how do they work?
Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are specifically designed to show the flow of matter or data between different entities. Each chart is composed of a central node, representing the source or origin of the data, and multiple branching paths, representing the various flows or transformations of the data.
At the heart of every Sankey chart is a set of data keys, which provide information about the flow of data between different entities. The data keys are typically located at the ends of each branching path, and they include important details such as the source and destination of the flow, the quantity of data flowing through the path, and any other relevant information.
Using Sankey charts to navigate data
Sankey charts are an effective way to visualize complex data sets because they allow you to easily identify patterns and relationships without having to rely on Excel formulas or other manual calculations.
For example, let’s say you want to understand the flow of data between different regions in a large company. With a Sankey chart, you can create a chart that shows how much data is flowing between each region, and where the data is originating from. By examining the chart, you can quickly see which regions are sending the most data to each other, and which regions are receiving the most data.
Similarly, if you’re analyzing sales data for a particular product, you can create a Sankey chart that shows how much revenue is flowing between different regions or customer segments. This can help you identify which regions or segments are generating the most revenue, and which segments are underperforming compared to others.
Sankey charts are also useful for identifying potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the data flow. For example, you might notice that a large amount of data is flowing through a particular region or path, indicating that there may be a problem with the data collection or transportation process.
How to create Sankey charts in Excel
Sankey charts can be created in Excel using the Sankey chart tool located in the Excel Data toolbar. To create a Sankey chart, follow these steps:
- Open your Excel workbook and select the data set you want to visualize. Choose the range of cells that you want to use for the chart.
- Click on the Data tab in the Excel ribbon and select “Sankey chart.”
- In the Sankey chart dialog box, choose the data range and specify any additional options you want to use, such as the type of flow you want to show and the currency symbol to use.
- Click “OK” to open the chart.
Excel will automatically generate the chart based on your data. You can then customize the appearance of the chart by adjusting the settings in the chart tools pane.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful data visualization tool that can help you quickly and easily navigate complex data sets. By highlighting the relationships between different entities and providing real-time insights into the flow of data, Sankey charts are an essential tool for anyone who needs to understand and make sense of large amounts of data. Whether you’re analyzing sales data, supply chain management, or any other type of data, Sankey charts are an effective way to gain valuable insights into your data.
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