Sankey charts have been a popular tool for visualizing flows in various fields such as business, energy, and transportation. These charts are used to demonstrate how data moves from one place to another and how much is lost or gained along the way. In this article, we will explore the power of Sankey charts and provide an in-depth guide for Sankey chart creation and applications.
What is a Sankey Chart?
Before we dive into the creation and applications of Sankey charts, let’s define what they are. A Sankey chart is a type of flow diagram that represents a transfer of entities between sources and destinations, where the width of the arrows or links is proportional to the quantity being transferred. The data used in constructing a Sankey chart consists of three components: the source, the amount of flow or quantity transferred, and the destination.
Creating Sankey Charts
Creating a Sankey chart can be a challenging task but with the right tools and understanding of the data, it can be a straightforward process. Several tools are available to create Sankey charts, including Microsoft PowerBI, Tableau, and R programming language.
Using PowerBI:
PowerBI is an excellent tool for creating Sankey charts as it offers a range of pre-built templates and customization options. PowerBI data connectors support various data sources such as Excel, SQL Server, and SharePoint, making it easier to import and visualize data in a Sankey chart. The user can select their data and choose from various templates to create a visually appealing chart. You can customize the colors, width, and text on your chart to suit your preference.
Using Tableau:
Tableau is another popular data visualization tool that offers a user-friendly interface for creating Sankey charts. Tableau allows the user to easily drag and drop fields related to the source, amount of flow or quantity transferred, and destination to the chart. The tool provides a range of templates, including customizable colors and styles, to suit your needs. Using Tableau to create a Sankey chart is straightforward, and beginners can quickly create a chart without having any programming experience.
Using R:
For those with an interest in programming, R is a powerful language with a vast library of packages that support data visualization. R offers several packages, including visNetwork, NetworkD3, and sna that enable users to create Sankey charts.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have various applications across different industries. Some examples include:
- Energy flow diagrams: Sankey charts are excellent for visualizing energy production, distribution, and consumption. They help show the amount of energy lost along the way or how energy is being converted from one form to another.
- Business processes: A Sankey chart can demonstrate how resources flow through a company’s processes, showing where the most significant flow occurs, what is being lost, and how much is being gained. This information helps to optimize business processes and identify areas for improvement.
- Transportation networks: Sankey charts can be used to depict travel data or traffic flow, showing the most popular routes and the quantities of vehicles using each route. This information can help to plan and optimize transportation networks.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are valuable tools for visualizing flows in various fields, offering insights into quantity transfer, resource usage, and more. With the availability of tools like PowerBI, Tableau, and R, creating a Sankey chart has never been easier. Whether you are a business analyst, energy professional, or transportation planner, Sankey charts can provide valuable information for decision-making and optimization. By using these visualizations, you can unveil the power of Sankey charts and unlock insights that were previously hidden.
SankeyMaster
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