Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex commodity flows and their sources and destinations. They provide a unique and intuitive way to understand and analyze large datasets, especially when dealing with long-tail commodity flows that are difficult to visualize using traditional bar charts or pie charts.
The power of Sankey charts lies in their ability to reveal patterns and trends that are hidden in traditional data visualization methods. By using Sankey charts, analysts can identify key players in the commodity flow network, the flow of resources, and the relationships between different commodity types.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the different aspects of Sankey chart creation and application, as well as provide tips and best practices for creating and interpreting Sankey charts.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a two-dimensional graph that is used to visualize complex data flows. It is a diagram that shows the flow of a commodity from its origin to its destination, and the resources it passes through on the way. Each line in the chart represents a commodity, and the width of each line indicates the volume of flow for that commodity.
The chart is typically created using arrows that indicate the direction of flow, with the source and destination represented by a starting point and an endpoint, respectively.
What Are the Benefits of Using Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts have several benefits over traditional data visualization methods in commodity flow analysis:
- They reveal patterns and trends that traditional graphs might miss: By showing the flow of resources, Sankey charts can help identify key players in the commodity flow network, and the flow of resources between different commodities. This can help identify new opportunities and areas for growth.
- They are easier to understand and interpret than traditional graphs: Sankey charts are unique in their design, which makes them easy to visualize and understand. By using arrows to indicate the flow of resources, Sankey charts are less confusing than traditional bar charts or pie charts that focus on the absolute volume of flow.
- They highlight relationships between different commodities: Sankey charts help highlight the relationships between different commodities and their sources, destinations, and flows. This makes it easier to understand how different commodities interact and how changes in one commodity can impact another.
What Are the Different Types of Sankey Charts?
There are different types of Sankey charts that can be used depending on the complexity of the dataset being analyzed. The most common type of Sankey chart is the “diagrammatic,” which is a one-dimensional diagram that shows the flow of resources from start to end.
Another type of Sankey chart is the “streamline diagram,” which is a two-dimensional diagram that shows the flow of resources along a path between different sources and destinations. This type of Sankey chart is particularly useful when the flow of resources is more complex or when there are many paths to follow.
What Are the Components of a Sankey Chart?
The components of a Sankey chart include:
- The commodity source and destination: These are the starting and ending points of the flow and are labeled on the chart.
- The diagrammatic arrow: this is the line that represents the flow of the commodity.
- The value arrows: these arrows represent the volume of flow of the commodity.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart requires several steps:
- Define the data: Before creating a Sankey chart, it is important to collect the data that will be visualized. This can include information on the source and destination of the commodity, as well as the flow of resources between different commodities.
- Draw the diagram: Once the data has been collected, the next step is to draw the diagram. This is typically done using software, such as Microsoft Excel or Tableau, and involves creating a two-dimensional diagram that shows the flow of resources.
- Customize the layout: After the diagram has been created, it is important to customize the layout to suit the purpose of the chart. This can include adjusting the width of the arrows to show the flow of resources, and customizing the color and size of the arrows to make them more visible.
- Make it interactive
Creating a Sankey chart requires several steps. To make it more interactive, you can use the following tips:
- Use zooming and panning: Use the arrows to zoom in and out of the diagram to see the flow of resources in more detail. You can also use the scroll wheel to move between different views.
- Add tooltips: Use the tooltips to display additional information about the flow of resources.
- Use annotations: Use annotations to provide additional information about the flow of resources, such as the value of flow or the name of the commodity.
- Use filters: Use filters to show only the flow of resources that meet certain criteria.
Tips for Interpreting Sankey Charts
Interpreting Sankey charts requires several steps:
- Identify key players: Identify the key players in the commodity flow network, based on the direction and volume of flow of the commodities.
- Analyze the flow of resources: Analyze the flow of resources between different commodities, and identify the relationships between them. This can help identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
Sankey charts have become increasingly popular in commodity flow analysis because of their unique ability to reveal patterns and trends that are hidden in traditional data visualization methods. By using Sankey charts, analysts can identify key players in the commodity flow network, the flow of resources, and the relationships between different commodities. This helps in understanding the complex commodity flows and their sources and destinations, and can help in identifying new opportunities for growth and innovation.
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