Sankey charts are a type of visualization that can be used to show flows and connections between different entities. They are named after Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Henshall Sankey, a British engineer who used this type of chart to illustrate the energy loss in a steam engine. Since then, sankey charts have become a popular way to show complex flows and connections in a visual and intuitive way.

In this article, we will explore the various ways that sankey charts can be created and some of the applications they can be used for.

Creating Sankey Charts
There are many ways to create sankey charts. Some of the more common tools include Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and R. Each of these tools has its own unique strengths when it comes to creating sankey charts. For example, Excel is great for creating sankey charts with a small amount of data, while Tableau is better suited for larger data sets. R, on the other hand, is a powerful statistical programming language that can create sankey charts with complex data.

Regardless of which tool you choose, one of the key things you’ll need to do when creating a sankey chart is to define the flow and entities in the chart. The flow is a visual representation of the movement of data or resources from one point to another, while the entities are the points or nodes where the flow occurs. Once you’ve defined these, you can then use your chosen tool to create the sankey chart.

Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in a wide variety of applications, from showing energy flow in electrical systems to illustrating the movement of people or goods in logistics systems. Here are some of the most common applications of sankey charts:

1. Energy flow: One of the most common applications of sankey charts is to show energy flow in systems like power grids. This can be used to show the movement of electrical power from the generation plant to the end-user, as well as how losses occur along the way.
2. Logistics: Sankey charts can also be used to show the flow of goods in logistics systems. This can be used to show the movement of goods from the manufacturer to the retailer, and how they are moved around the distribution network.
3. Migration: Sankey charts can be used to show migration patterns of people between different regions. This can be used to show the movement of people from one country to another, or even within a single country.
4. Business: Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of resources within a business. This can be used to show how money is spent within a company, or how products move through the supply chain.
5. Social: Sankey charts can be used to show social connections between individuals. This can be used to show the flow of information between different people, or how relationships develop over time.

In conclusion, sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flows and connections within systems. They can be used in a wide range of applications, from showing energy flow in electrical systems to illustrating the movement of people or goods in logistics systems. By using these charts, we can gain a better understanding of the relationships within these systems, and make data-driven decisions to optimize them.

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.