Sankey charts are a type of visual tool used to represent directed network flows. These flow charts provide a clear and concise representation of data, making it easier for people to understand complex relationships between different entities. Understanding how to create and apply sankey charts is essential for anyone who wants to harness the power of flow visualization.
In this article, we will explore the secrets of sankey charts and provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying this powerful visualization tool. We will cover the basics of sankey chart creation, the different types of sankey charts, and how to use them effectively. We’ll also provide tips and examples to help you create your own sankey charts and apply them in your own projects.
What is a sankey chart?

A sankey chart, also known as a directed flow chart, is a type of visual tool that represents directed network flows. It is a type of flow visualization tool that was designed to represent complex relationships between entities and flow of data between different sources and destinations. Sankey charts are often used in fields such as commerce, logistics, and social sciences to represent the flow of resources, people, information, or goods between different entities.
Sankey charts are particularly useful in cases where it’s essential to represent complex relationships between different entities. They can also be used to represent the flow of data between different sources and destinations. Sankey charts offer a clear and concise representation of data that is often difficult to visualize using other types of diagrams.
Type of sankey chart

Sankey charts can be divided into different types based on the direction or flow of the data they represent. These different types of sankey charts include:

1. Source and destination sankey chart: This type of sankey chart represents the flow of data from a source to a destination. The source can be on the bottom of the chart and the destination can be on the top.

2. Directed flow sankey chart: This type of sankey chart represents the flow of data from a source to a destination, where the direction of the flow cannot be reversed.

3. Bi-di direction sankey chart: This type of sankey chart represents the flow of data from a source to a destination, where the direction of the flow can be reversed.

4. Inverted sankey chart: This type of sankey chart represents the flow of data from a destination to a source.

The different types of sankey charts use different symbols to represent the flow of information, such as arrows, connectors, or symbols. Sankey charts can also include additional information in the shapes of the nodes, such as flow direction or the weight of the flow.
How to create a sankey chart?

Creating a sankey chart can be a straightforward process, but there are some steps you can follow to ensure that your sankey chart is effective and easy to follow. Here’s how to create a sankey chart:

1. Identify the entities or sources/destinations you want to represent on your sankey chart.

2. Use the information you gather to determine the direction of the flow, either forward direction (source -> destination) or backward direction (destination -> source).

3. Create shapes for each entity or source/destination.

4. Connect the shapes using arrows or other symbols to represent the flow.

5. Add labeling to each node to indicate the direction of the flow and additional information.

These steps are just a guide, and you can modify them according to your needs. You can also add arrows or other symbols to the shapes to show the net flow of information, or use text labels to provide additional information about the flow.
How to apply sankey charts in your projects?

Sankey charts are a useful tool for understanding and analyzing complex relationships between different entities. Here are some examples of how you can use sankey charts in your projects:

1. Commerce: Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of information between different entities, such as suppliers, distributors, and customers. This can help businesses understand the flow of information among different entities and identify opportunities for improvement.

2. Logistics: Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of information and resources between different logistics points. This can help businesses optimize their supply chain and improve efficiency.

3. Social Sciences: Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of information and resources between different social entities, such as different groups of people. This can help researchers understand the flow of cultural, economic, or political information between different communities.

Conclusion:

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for understanding and analyzing complex network flows. With the right understanding and application, sankey charts can help businesses across various industries identify areas for improvement, optimize supply chains, and gain insights into cultural, economic, and political information. By following these steps and examples, you can use sankey charts to create effective visualizations that help you gain valuable insights into your data.

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