Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that are designed to visualize the distribution and flow of data between different entities. These charts are particularly popular in fields such as economics, engineering, and data science, where they can be used to show the movement of resources, information, or energy through a system. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you can create your own Sankey chart and understand the applications of these charts in different industries.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flow diagram that displays the distribution and flow of data between different entities. It is named after the Scottish engineer, Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who created the first known Sankey diagram in 1898 to show the use and loss of energy in a steam boiler.
Sankey charts use colored arrows to represent the flow of data between entities, with the width of the arrows indicating the volume of data passing through. This makes it easy to see which entities are producing the most data, which entities are receiving the most data, and where the data is being lost or gained.
Creating a Sankey Chart in Excel
Creating a Sankey chart can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done relatively easily in Excel. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
Step 1: Prepare your data
To create a Sankey chart in Excel, you’ll need to prepare your data in the form of a table. Your table should contain three columns: entity A, entity B, and the volume of data (or weight) passing between the two. For example:
| Entity A | Entity B | Volume |
| — | — | — |
| A | B | 10 |
| A | C | 5 |
| B | C | 8 |
| B | D | 12 |
| C | D | 15 |
Step 2: Sort your data
Sort your data in the order you want it to appear in the chart. The first value in the Entity A column will be the starting node, and so on.
Step 3: Create a pivot table
Create a pivot table using your data. In the pivot table, set Entity A as the Rows label, Entity B as the Columns label, and Volume as the Values field. Set the Summarize value field settings to Sum.
Step 4: Convert the pivot table to a chart
Right-click on the pivot table, select ‘More PivotChart Options’, and choose ‘Sankey’. This will create a Sankey chart using your data.
Sankey Chart Applications
Sankey charts have various applications in different fields. Here are some of the most common applications:
Business Analysis and Management: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the flow of goods, services, and information in a business. For example, you can use a Sankey chart to track the flow of visitors from one web page to another, or to show the flow of sales through different departments in a company.
Energy Industry: In the energy industry, Sankey charts are used to show the distribution and movement of energy resources. For example, a network of electricity or gas pipelines could be shown using a Sankey chart, along with the amount of energy flowing through each pipeline.
Traffic Engineering: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of traffic between different highways, toll plazas, and cities. This can help traffic engineers to identify bottlenecks and optimize traffic flow.
Conclusions
Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing the flow and distribution of data. With the right data, tools, and understanding of how to create a chart, you can easily create informative Sankey charts that help you to better understand your data and make more informed decisions.
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