Sankey Charts: Unlocking the Power to Make Complex Data Visualizations Accessible
Data visualization can be a powerful tool for communicating information, but it can also be complex and challenging to create. One method that is gaining popularity in recent years, especially when it comes to making data visualizations accessible to a wider audience, is the Sankey chart. This type of visualization is particularly effective when working with complex, interdependent data, such as flows of information, resources, and connections between entities in a system.
Sankey charts are based on flow diagrams, but they are designed to be more easily digestible for readers with visual literacy. The chart includes a series of interconnected arrows that represent flows of information or resources between different entities. The arrows are labeled with the amounts of each type of flow flowing from one entity to another. This makes it easier to see the direction and magnitude of flows, and to identify the key entities or relationships.
To create a Sankey chart, you can start by selecting the data that you want to visualize. This will typically be a flowchart with entities represented by different shapes or symbols, and the flow represented by connecting lines between them. You can also add labels or descriptions to each item and arrow to provide context and clarity.
Next, you will need to choose the right type of flow to use in your Sankey chart. For example, you might use a “source” flow to represent the starting point in the system, and a “target” flow to represent the final destination. You can also use additional types of flow such as “input,” “output,” or “transfer” to indicate different kinds of interactions between entities.
Once you have selected the data and flow types, it’s time to build the visualization. You can use a variety of software and tools to create a Sankey chart, including software such as OpenRefine, Tableau Software, or Microsoft Excel. Be sure to use consistent labels and formats for your arrows and labels to help guide your readers through the visualization.
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of contexts, from projects and reports in academia and business, to presentations and reports in the public sector. They can help visualize interdependencies between different relationships and entities in a system, making it easier to understand complex flow patterns.
Sankey charts can also be customized to highlight specific aspects of the data you’re visualizing. For example, you can adjust the thickness of the arrows to show the flow rate or the color and shape of the arrows to emphasize different relationships.
In conclusion, Sankey charts can be an effective tool for making complex data visualizations accessible and understandable. By selecting appropriate data and flow types, building the chart using a suitable software tool, and customizing the visualizations to highlight important aspects of the data, you can create informative and enlightening Sankey charts that accurately communicate the connections, flows, and relationships between entities in a system.
Thank you for the article. It is helpful, but can you add more information on how to customize Sankey charts? I want to know how to highlight specific aspects of the data I’m visualizing.
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.
