5 Sankey Excel Tips

Introduction to Sankey Diagrams in Excel

Sankey diagrams are a type of flow-based visualization that can be used to show the magnitude of flow between nodes in a process. They are particularly useful for displaying energy flows, material flows, or cost flows. With the introduction of new features in Excel, creating Sankey diagrams has become easier than ever. In this article, we will explore five tips for creating Sankey diagrams in Excel.

Tip 1: Prepare Your Data

Before creating a Sankey diagram, it’s essential to prepare your data. The data should be in a table format with at least three columns: the source, the target, and the flow value. The source and target columns should contain the names of the nodes, and the flow value column should contain the magnitude of the flow between the nodes. For example:

Source	Target	Flow Value
A	B	10
A	C	20
B	D	15

📝 Note: Make sure your data is clean and consistent to ensure accurate results.

Tip 2: Use the Sankey Diagram Tool

To create a Sankey diagram in Excel, you can use the built-in Sankey diagram tool. This tool is available in the “Insert” tab in the “Charts” group. Simply select the data range, go to the “Insert” tab, and click on the “Sankey” button. Excel will automatically create a Sankey diagram based on your data.

Tip 3: Customize Your Sankey Diagram

Once you’ve created your Sankey diagram, you can customize it to suit your needs. You can change the colors, add labels, and adjust the layout. To customize your Sankey diagram, select the diagram, and then use the tools in the “Format” tab to make changes. For example, you can change the color of the flows by selecting the “Fill” option in the “Format” tab.

Some other customization options include:

• Adding labels to the nodes and flows
• Changing the font and font size
• Adjusting the layout to fit your needs

Tip 4: Use Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting can be used to highlight important information in your Sankey diagram. For example, you can use conditional formatting to highlight flows that are above or below a certain threshold. To apply conditional formatting, select the diagram, and then go to the “Home” tab and click on the “Conditional Formatting” button.

Some examples of conditional formatting include:

• Highlighting flows that are above a certain threshold
• Highlighting flows that are below a certain threshold
• Highlighting nodes that have a certain characteristic

Tip 5: Use Animation and Interactivity

Finally, you can use animation and interactivity to make your Sankey diagram more engaging. For example, you can use the “Animation” feature to create a dynamic Sankey diagram that shows how the flows change over time. To add animation, select the diagram, and then go to the “Transitions” tab and click on the “Animation” button.

Some other interactive features include:

• Using hover text to display additional information
• Using click events to display additional information
• Using filters to narrow down the data

In summary, creating Sankey diagrams in Excel can be a powerful way to visualize complex data. By following these five tips, you can create a Sankey diagram that is both informative and engaging. Whether you’re working with energy flows, material flows, or cost flows, a Sankey diagram can help you to better understand the relationships between different nodes in a process.