Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flows and connections between different elements in a system. They are named after the Scottish engineer and mathematician Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Stephen Sankey, who developed the first sankey chart in the mid-19th century to illustrate the efficiency of steam engines.
At their core, Sankey charts use arrows to represent flows and flows volumes, with the width of the arrows adjusting to reflect the magnitude of the flow. This makes it possible to easily see where the largest flows are occurring and where they are being directed. The colors used to color-code the flows can also help to identify different types of flows or to show the direction of the flow.
Creating a sankey chart typically involves several steps, starting with defining the nodes or categories you want to represent. The chart then needs to be populated with data, which can be input manually or loaded from an external file. Once the data is in place, the chart can be customized to adjust the appearance of the nodes and the size and color of the flows.
There are a variety of tools available for creating sankey charts, including several online platforms that provide templates and customization options. Some popular options include Sankey.io, Graphviz, and Gephi.
One of the main applications of sankey charts is in the field of data visualization. They are particularly useful for visualizing complex flows, such as the movement of energy or resources within a system. By providing a clear and intuitive way to see how different elements in a system are connected, sankey charts can help to improve understanding and decision-making.
They are also useful for visualizing flows in a variety of other contexts, including business operations, social networks, and public policy. For example, sankey charts can be used to show the distribution of goods and services within a supply chain, the flow of information in a social network, or the allocation of resources to different regions or departments.
In conclusion, sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flows and connections between different elements in a system. They provide a clear and intuitive way to see how different parts of a system are interacting and can be used in a variety of contexts, from data visualization to business operations and policy analysis. With the availability of online tools and customization options, creating a sankey chart has never been easier, and the insights gained from these charts can have a significant impact on decision-making and understanding.

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.