Sankey diagram with excel

Sankey diagrams are used to show flow between two or more categories, where the width of each individual element is proportional to the flow rate. These chart types are available in Power BI, but are not natively available in Excel. However, today I want to show you that it is possible to create a Sankey diagram in Excel with the right mix of simple techniques.

While Sankey diagrams are often used to show energy flow through a process, being a finance guy, I’ve decided to show cashflow. The simple Sankey diagram above shows four income streams and how that cash then flows into expenditure or savings.

Download the example file: Click the link below to download the example file used for this post:

Watch the video

This blog post will be slightly different from others; rather than show you how to do each step, I will demonstrate the overall approach. There are additional details covered in the YouTube video.

Watch the video on YouTube.

While I should wait to reveal the secret until the end of the post, I think it will help to explain how it all fits together if I reveal it upfront.

Here is the secret: the Sankey diagram you see in the example file is not one chart, far from it. There are actually 21 charts all stacked on top of each other.

The following image shows the 21 individual charts that could make up a Sankey diagram.

By setting the backgrounds to be fully transparent, and the shaded lines as partially transparent; overlaying the charts on top of each other creates the Sankey effect. The pillars at each end are 100% stacked column charts, which are also overlaid on top.

Now that I’ve revealed how simple this secret is, let’s look at each stage in a bit more detail. Then you will be able to create your own Sankey diagram templates.

Initial data

Our initial data is a two-dimensional table. The rows are the start point for our Sankey diagram, while the columns are the endpoint. The value at the intersection of these is the flow rate.

Within the template, we also have a named range called Blank. The value in here represents the spacing to be applied between each category.

Interim calculation tables

To create the Sankey effect from our initial data, we need to create interim calculations.

• SankeyLines table
• SankeyStartPillar table
• SankeyEndPillar table
• Spacing named range

Let’s look at each in turn.

SankeyLines table

From the source data, we create a table with a row for each possible combination of rows and columns. This table is called SankeyLines table in the example file. Each row category is separated by an additional line which creates the blank spaces we see in the charts.

Our initial SankeyLines table needs to contain the following base information:

Value

The formula in the Value column is:

=IF(LEFT([@From],5)="Blank",Blank,
INDEX(SankeyData,MATCH([@From],SankeyData[From / To],0),
MATCH([@To],SankeyData[#Headers],0)))

This formula retrieves either:

• Value from the source table
• Value of the Blank named range (where it is a row used for spacing between categories).

End Position

The End Position column determines the order of the lines at the end of the Sankey diagram. Where 1 is finishes at the top, 2 is the second item from the top, etc.

SankeyLines table additional data points

To create the data for the 100% stacked area chart, we need to calculate some additional data points:

• Space above the shaded Sankey line
• Value of the shaded Sankey line
• Space below the shaded Sankey line

Our SankeyLines table needs to expand with the following calculations.

The formulas in each column are as follows:

Above Start

=SUM(SankeyLines[[#Headers],[Value]]:[@Value])-[@Value]

This calculates the amount of space required above the Sankey line at the start point.

Above Mid 1

=[@[Above Start]]

This is sent to equal the Above Start column.

Above Mid 2

=[@[Above End]]

This is set to equal the Above End column (see below)

Above End

=SUM([Value])-SUMIFS([Value],[End Position],">="&[@[End Position]])

This calculates the amount of space required above the Sankey line at the end point.

Value Start, Value Mid 1, Value Mid 2, Value End

=[@Value]

The height of the shaded Sankey line never changes. Therefore, we can set the value of all 4 columns to equal the Value column.

Below Start, Below Mid 1, Below Mid 2, Below End

The columns calculate the amount of space required below the shaded Sankey line. Each calculation is constructed the same way. It takes the SUM([Value]) then takes away the value from the equivalent Start, Mid 1, Mid 2 or End columns.

Below Start:

=SUM([Value])-[@[Above Start]]-[@[Value Start]]

Below Mid 1:

=SUM([Value])-[@[Above Mid 1]]-[@[Value Mid 1]]

Below Mid 2:

=SUM([Value])-[@[Above Mid 2]]-[@[Value Mid 2]]

Below End:

=SUM([Value])-[@[Above End]]-[@[Value End]]

SankeyStartPillars table

The SankeyStartPillar table is reasonably easy to understand. It just needs each row category from the source data listed with a “Blank” item in between.

The formula for the Value column is:

=SUMIFS(SankeyLines[Value],SankeyLines[From],[@From])

End pillars

The SankeyEndPillar table is similar to the SankeyStartPillar table. It just needs each column category from the source data listed with a “Blank” item in between.

The formula for the Value is:

=SUMIFS(SankeyLines[Value],SankeyLines[To],[@To])

Spacing named range

The final part of the interim calculations is a named range called Spacing. This is used as the Category (horizontal) Axis for the chart. It determines at what point the slope of the chart starts and finishes.

Chart layering

Once all the interim calculations are ready, the chart creation can begin.

Create the individual shaded Sankey lines

Each row of the SankeyLines table needs to be a separate 100% stacked area chart with 3 data series:

Once the chart has the correct series data, it then all comes down to formatting.

After all the formatting has been completed the chart will become a single grey line.

If the row in the SankeyLines table starts with “Blank”, then technically it can be deleted, however for completeness, I prefer to keep it there, but set it to No Fill. It means that if I ever need to use it, I can just change the fill color and it can be used as a standard shaded Sankey line.

Once all the shaded Sankey lines have been created, they can be overlaid on top of each other.

Create the Sankey pillars

Most of the hard work has now been completed. We just need to create two 100% stacked column charts—one for the start pillar and one for the end pillar.

The pillars are set to be formatted as follows:

• Plot series in reverse order
• Your preferred fill colors
• Set the “Blank” sections with No Fill
• Add data labels to the relevant points.

After all of that, we overly the pillars on top of our chart. Finally, our Sankey diagram is complete.

Conclusion

That’s it. Individually there is nothing too difficult with any of the techniques involved. But they need to be combined in the right way to create the Sankey effect. Initially, this takes quite a long time to create, but once set-up, it can be used over and over with different categories. It’s definitely the case of invest the time once, to create a template big enough then and reuse it.

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• Ultimate Guide: VBA for Charts & Graphs in Excel (100+ examples)
• Variable width column charts and histograms in Excel
• Creating custom Map Charts using shapes and VBA

Any great story means great details and strategic use of visuals.

Besides, it’s a proven fact people don’t like numbers. They are interested in insights. So how can you represent insights in a simple and compelling way?

You guessed it right. The solution is incorporating easy-to-read charts into your data story. Sankey Chart for Excel version is one of the easiest charts to understand in the world of data visualization.

Table of Content:

1. Sankey Chart Definition
2. Components of a Sankey Chart
3. How to Create Sankey Diagram in Excel? Step by Step Guide with Example
4. Why should you use Sankey?
5. Best Tool to Use to Visualize Data Using Sankey in Excel
6. How to Install ChartExpo In Excel To Access Sankey For Free
7. Data Storytelling with Sankey Charts
8. Wrap Up

Video Tutorial:

What is A Sankey Chart in Excel?

Definition: Sankey Chart visualizes “a flow” from one set of values to the next. The two items being connected are referred to as “nodes.” The connections are labeled as “links.”

Besides, it’s named after an Irishman, Capt. Matthew Sankey, who first used them in a publication on the energy efficiency of a steam engine in 1898. Sankey diagrams were initially used to visualize and analyze energy flows, but they’re a great tool to depict the flow of money, time, and resources.

Directional arrows between the nodes show the flows in:

• Processes
• Production system
• Supply chain

Let’s head to the next section where you’ll learn the building blocks of the Sankey diagram.

Components of a Sankey Chart in Excel

A Sankey is a minimalist diagram that consists of the following:

• Nodes: This is an element linked by “Flows.” Furthermore, it represents the events in each path.
• Flows: Flows link the nodes. And each flow is specified by the names of its source and target nodes in the “from” and “to” fields. Besides, the value in the width field defines the thickness of the flow.
• Drop-offs: A drop-off is a flow without a target node.

This brings us to the meaty part of the blog: the best tool to use to create a Sankey Chart in Excel that complements your data story.

Please pay attention because this is one of the essential parts of the blog.

How to Create Sankey Diagram in Excel – Step by Step Guide with Example?

Creating a Sankey diagram in Excel is very easy if you have ChartExpo add-in installed. You just need to select the Sankey diagram, check the sample data provided with this chart, replace the data with your own data and in one click your visualization will be ready.

Storytelling with data is the best way to present your data in a meaningful way. Sankey is one of the best visualizations which gives colors and life to your data story. Let’s have one practical application of the Sankey diagram.

Energy Management Application

Imagine you’ve been tasked by the Energy Commission of a hypothetical country to analyze their gigantic data. They want to know various details about domestic energy consumption, namely:

• The contribution of each energy-generating source
• The amount of energy lost
• The energy contribution of cleaner and greener sources
• Common uses of energy by consumer segments (commercial versus domestic use)

The Energy Commission wants a data story to use for the forthcoming launch of their 10-year Plan. The table below has the sample data we’ll use for the scenario above.

Note: the table below is pretty long to show you that Sankey can visualize gigantic data sets without obscuring key insights.

Apologies in advance if you find the table below weirdly long.

Why should you use Sankey?

1. Sankey Charts for Excel spreadsheet allows you to show complex processes visually, with a focus on a single aspect or resource that you want to highlight.
2. Sankey offers the added benefit of supporting multiple viewing levels.

Besides, audiences can get a high-level view, see specific details, or generate interactive views.

1. These visualization charts make dominant contributors or consumers stand out. So your audience can see critical insights, such as relative magnitudes and areas with the largest opportunities.

Let’s assume you have data from different but interlinked segments. You’ve noticed that there’s a leakage point. And you want to bring this to the attention of your company management.

How would you go about it?

You guessed it absolutely right. A data story is a very powerful tool you can use to persuade the management to act on your recommendations.

But then, how would you make this story irresistible?

You need to use simple and easy-to-interpret visualizations. You don’t want your audience to drown in confusion trying to decode insights from a chart. This is a morale killer.

A Sankey is strategically positioned to visualize the data scenario above. And this is because it can help paint a vivid picture of the leakage in the audience’s minds (in our case, company management). Yes, you heard that right.

This chart will show the exact points where the leakage is occurring. Like we said earlier, leakages, also known as drop-off zones, are flows without a target node.

Choosing relevant and easy-to-interpret charts makes it easy for your audience to understand and engage with the data.

The Best Tool to Use to Visualize Your Data Using Sankey Diagram in Excel

Before we delve right into the tools you can use, we’ll answer the question that’s lingering in your mind.

Where can you apply Sankey Charts for Excel?

Like we said earlier, these charts are strategically positioned to visualize data with flow characteristics, namely:

• Supply chain management
• Energy management
• Cash Flow Diagrams for budget and revenue allocation
• The flow of customers in a website (digital marketing)
• Survey analysis

We’ll later cover energy management use in detail in the coming section. Keep reading to avoid missing this highly insightful part of the blog.

Let’s talk about Excel because it is one of the most used tools for visualizing data besides Google Sheets. This spreadsheet app is incredibly popular because it’s easy to use. Besides, it has been there for decades, making it familiar to almost anyone who works with data.

So how can you use Excel to create Sankey Charts that are easy to read and interpret?

Remember, for a data story to be compelling to your target audience, it should have charts that lend clarity. You don’t want any critical insight to be obscured by unnecessary stuff, such as heavy colors.

We’re sorry to disappoint you, but Excel does not have Sankey templates.

Yes, you heard that right. Even Microsoft Office 365, which is the most updated version, doesn’t have Sankey templates.

So What’s The Solution?

The solution is not to ditch your beloved Excel. No, we’re not advocating you to do away with the spreadsheet tool you’ve probably known since childhood.

You need to supercharge it with an add-in to make it a reliable partner for data visualization.

Microsoft knew very well it’s impossible to cater to all the data visualization needs you may have. And that’s why they came up with an app store where you can access third-party add-ins to get various specialized tasks done with ease.

Well, there’s a reliable and incredibly easy-to-use add-in called ChartExpo. And it comes jam-packed with Sankey templates and other 80-plus charts.

What is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is a cloud-hosted add-in that transforms your Excel spreadsheet app into a highly responsive data visualization tool.

Wait! That’s not all. 

This highly affordable data visualization tool comes with over 80 chart templates to grant you a broader choice of visuals to select. With ChartExpo, you don’t need to know programming or coding. Yes, it’s that easy peasy to use.

When you’re curating a data story, feel confident you have a reliable data visualization buddy on your side. ChartExpo provides you unlimited freedom to customize your Sankey Chart.

Remember, you can highlight the key insights you want your audience to take in with ease. You just need a few mouse clicks to access a Sankey Chart for Excel that fits seamlessly within your data narrative.

More Money-saving Benefits For You!

• ChartExpo has an in-built library with 80-plus charts to ensure you’ve got enough stock to test for the best.
• ChartExpo add-in for Excel comes with a free 7-day trial.
• Essentially, if you’re not satisfied with the tool within a week, you can opt out as quickly as signing up for a trial.
• The number of paying users after the trial period is a staggering 80%. And this means that ChartExpo does not disappoint.
• ChartExpo add-in is ONLY $10 a month after the end of the trial period.
• You have a 100% guarantee that your computer or Excel application won’t be slowed down. If it does, just opt out of the risk-free 7-day trial.
• You can export your insightful, easy-to-read, and intuitive charts in JPEG and PNG: the world’s most-used formats for sharing images.

Let’s head to the meaty part of the blog: the section where you get to practice what you’ve learned. Follow the simple steps below in preparation for the next section.

How to Install ChartExpo In Excel To Access Sankey For Free?

To Get Started with ChartExpo for Excel add-In, follow the Simple and Easy Steps Below.

• Open your Excel application (Excel 2013 with sp1) or later).
• Open the worksheet and click on the INSERT menu
• You’ll see the My Apps option.
• Click on My Apps and then click on See All.

• You will see the screen, as shown in the screenshot below.
• Search for ChartExpo Add-in on my Apps Store.
• Click on the Insert button.
• The add-in will be added to the Excel application, as shown in the screenshot below.
• Log in with your Microsoft account or create a new account by clicking the Create New link
• Login with the newly created account and start using the add-in.
• Enter your newly created account and start using the ChartExpo add-in. You’re only required to log in for the first time. Next time, ChartExpo won’t ask for your details again.
• Now you can start using ChartExpo for Excel to access incredible Sankey visualization of your data.

• You’ll see an extensive library of visual charts categorized into 6 different groups.
• More so, you can expand any group by clicking on it to see a list of available visualizations.

• Click on the Sankey Chart button (red box), as shown

Diagramming can get tough when it comes to Sankey charts, especially because of the fact that it doesn’t come with standard flowchart or tree diagram templates. But, with special add ins like Power User, the process does become a lot easier and more streamlined that what you could even think of.

To be honest, creating a Sankey diagram with Power User on MS Excel takes you about 5-10 minutes, even with all the customizations. It is the data entry part that takes you the maximum time. So, if you have been wondering how to draw a Sankey diagram in Excel, follow through the steps that we have mentioned below.

Before we shed some light on the step by step breakdown of how to draw Sankey charts in Excel, we would like to give a brief description of what Sankey charts actually are.

The Sankey charts or diagrams are a form of flow diagram which helps in representing the flow rate, ensuring that the width of the diagram is proportional to the flow rate as well.

• Also check: Sankey Diagram in Tableau Tutorial here.

This helps in highlighting the primary energy flow involved in any process, be it with the energy or even with the money involved in a process.

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So, how can you draw the Sankey Chart on MS Excel using Power User? Let us take a look at the steps, shall we?

Step 1: Installing Power User

Before we start creating the Sankey diagram, it is necessary that one installs the Power User first.

For this, follow through the following steps.

1. Go to https://www.powerusersoftwares.com/ and from there click on the “Free Download” option on the top.
2. Once the download is complete, click on the downloaded file and install it.
3. To add it in MS Excel, click on the “File” option and then click on the “Excel Options” on the bottom.
4. From there, go to “Add Ins” and enable the Power User option.
5. Once that is enabled, you will be able to see it on the Toolbar of MS Excel.

Step 2: Drawing the Sankey Chart

Once you have installed the Power User, the next steps are where you follow through to create the Sankey chart. Let us take a look.

1. Start by opening your MS Excel sheet and enter the data that you want to be transformed into a chart.
2. On the top, on the tool bar, you will find the “Power User” tab. Click on that and you will find the Create Sankey Chart Option.
3. Select the cells with the input data and then click on “OK” to proceed creating the chart.
4. The moment you click on “OK”, the Power User add in creates the Sankey chart automatically for you as shown below.
5. Once the chart has been created, you can open the customization options on the right and change the color scheme, the titles and the rest of the prospects that you need to be changed in accordance to your needs.
6. Following that, you can save the changes and finally save the Excel sheet with the final Sankey chart prepared.

Often times, the installation process under the Power User can be a bit difficult and can show errors. For any such issues and discrepancies that you are facing, make sure that you go through the Power User FAQs to get a better idea of things.

Learn how to create a Sankey diagram in Excel to display quantities in proportion to one another and to tell a data-driven story.

Before deep diving into data visualization, it is worth knowing: What is a Sankey diagram, and how to use it? It provides detailed, multi-level flows of values and changes between main stages.

Good to know that this type of visualization is not available in Excel by default. You can build the flow diagram using VBA, .NET, or other programming languages. If you want to learn more about chart templates, we recommend our definitive guide.

How to create a Sankey diagram in Excel?

To create a dynamic flow diagram, use the steps below:

1. Install the UDT for Excel chart add-in
2. Select the data you want to visualize
3. Click on the Sankey diagram icon
4. The chart will be inserted automatically

Create a data structure and build the chart

If you want to create a Sankey diagram in Excel, use the following structure. The selected range should contain a minimum of three rows, and the last column should contain positive numbers.

Here is an example of the initial data set.

Analyze the Sankey diagram

After clicking the icon, the add-in generates the flow diagram in real time and shows the connections between stages.

You can click on the main blocks like this. In the example, you selected the Paypal payment gateway and got a breakdown asap.

To reset the layout, click on the diagram background.

Additional information: This diagram is a technical preview. What does it mean? All integrated functions work fine, but the visualization is not final; it will be available in the next version of our add-in very soon.

You can look at the examples; we prepared various data sets to demonstrate the power of the Sankey diagram. Download the practice file.

Istvan is the co-founder of Visual Analytics Ltd. He writes blog posts and helps people to reach the top in Excel.

Data has become the story of the day in organizations and academic institutions—almost every sector of our government, functions with data.

Imagine what it would be like if every sector did not utilize data. Think about this for a moment, and you will realize that data is the heartbeat of everything you do.

This fact can be evident to you as a data analyst. What crucial is how you can present your data to interested parties.

An exemplary data visualization diagram will compel your audience to answer this question. How the audience reacts to your presentation is crucial to your success.

To analyze data critically, one of the best visualization you can use is Sankey Diagram. Do you want to know how to create a Sankey Diagram in Excel? The secret is through the simple steps we will cover.

In this blog, you will learn:

Table of Content:

1. What is a Sankey Diagram in Excel?
2. What are the Components of a Sankey Diagram in Excel?
3. Best Sankey Chart Generator in Excel
4. How to Create Sankey Diagram in Excel?
5. How to Edit Sankey Chart in Excel?
6. Create Multi-Level Sankey Diagram in Excel
7. Video Tutorial: How to Make Sankey Chart in Excel?
8. Why should you use the Sankey Graph in Excel?
9. Application of Sankey Chart in Excel
10. Wrap up

Let’s begin by knowing what a Sankey Diagram is.

What is a Sankey Diagram in Excel?

Definition: A Sankey Diagram is a visualization diagram that presents data with value sets from one point to another.

Here is an interesting historical fact about a Sankey Diagram. An engineer around the 1890s called Matthew Sankey discovered the chart. The engineer found it by studying how a steam engine conducts energy.

The bottom line is that you can also use a Sankey Diagram to visualize information related to energy or income flow.

With these fun facts in mind, let’s jump right into the components of a Sankey Diagram you need to know about.

What are the Components of a Sankey Diagram in Excel?

Every statistical diagram has unique components that are crucial in providing insights. Well, a Sankey Diagram is one of those charts.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these components:

Nodes:

They look like bars in a standard bar chart. The size of the node represents the value of the variables.

Flows:

The nodes in a Sankey chart in excel are connected with flow path structures called links. Flows connect one node to another with a source name.

In addition, flows have a target node that serves as an ending point.

Drop-offs:

This is a type of flow. Its unique feature is that it does not have a target node.

You will realize from the components we have just listed for you that a Sankey Chart is not stylish. It is one of the most detailed charts in excel you will come across.

In the next section, you will learn how to create a Sankey plot in excel using Sankey Chart examples. We have to use the Sankey diagram in excel using sample data.

You want to know how it works. Let us show you how.

Best Sankey Chart Generator in Excel

Before we get down into business, here is a fun fact you need to know about Excel.

Excel has billions of users because it is our most common spreadsheet. With this spreadsheet in your office tool, you can create a Sankey graph in excel.

Here is the truth, Excel worksheet does not have a Sankey diagram in its list of graphs. Excel is limited to a few basic charts.

But don’t lose hope just yet. There is a solution to our problem. You want to know what it is. Let’s get to it.

What is the solution?

Think about this for a moment, if excel does not have a Sankey chart, how can we create one? One of the crucial actions you can take is to supercharge it with an excel add-in for creating a Sankey diagram.

One of the add-ins of particular interest is called ChartExpo. This add-in cannot let you down when visualizing your data.

In other words, we can refer to it as a Sankey diagram generator in excel.

Let us explain ChartExpo and how it can help you as a data analyst.

What is ChartExpo?

In brief, ChartExpo is an add-in that utilizes cloud-hosting features to create statistical visualizations.

This add-in to your Excel worksheet allows you to create many graphical presentations. It is one of the simplest add-ins you can use for your excel charts.

But that is not all.

You do not need a fancy manual to work your way around the add-in. This is because it takes quick and easy steps to create a chart of your choice.

If you ever find yourself in a dilemma about which chart to use, ChartExpo has got you covered. It is a unique Sankey diagram generator in excel.

Let us dig deeper using a practical example of how to make a Sankey Diagram in Excel using ChartExpo.

How to Create Sankey Diagram in Excel? Complete Step-by-Step Guide with Example

This section will use a Sankey Chart in Excel to visualize the table below.

Energy Type	Main Source	Source type	Energy Source	Usage	End-User	Mega Watt
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	3.5
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	5.1
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	3.6
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	2.6
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	3.4
Agricultural waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	1.4
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	5.0
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	3.8
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	4.7
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	3.4
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	5.2
Other waste	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	1.8
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	0.5
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	0.4
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	0.6
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	0.4
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	0.6
Marina algae	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	0.4
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	0.3
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	0.5
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	0.6
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	0.2
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	0.4
Biomass import	Bio-conversion	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	0.1
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	35.0
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	9.1
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	5.6
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	4.2
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	7.7
Nuclear reserves	Nuclear Plant	Solid	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	2.8
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Losses in process	Lost	3.6
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Industry	5.9
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC commercial	5.5
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	HVAC homes	3.4
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances commercial	5.1
Gas reserves	Natural Gas	Gas	Thermal generation	Electricity grid	Appliances homes	2.5

To get started with Sankey Diagram in Excel, install the ChartExpo add-in for Excel from this link.

• Click on your Excel spreadsheet to open your workbook.
• On your worksheet menu, click on Insert.
• The Insert menu will display the My Apps.

• Select ChartExpo add-in and click the Insert.

• Click on the Sankey Chart shown below in the available charts list.

• After selecting the data click on Create Chart From Selection button, as shown below.

• Check out the final Sankey Chart below.

How to Edit Sankey Chart in Excel using ChartExpo?

You can edit the Sankey chart in excel with the colors you choose and for adding a heading. Simply click Edit Chart.

Here are some of the insights from your table that will appear like this in your Sankey Diagram.

Amount of Energy Used

Energy from Nuclear Sources

Create Multi-Level Sankey Diagram in Excel

You can create a multi-level Sankey in excel if your data has much information. Let’s take the example we mentioned above. How easily we were able to create the Multi-level Sankey Chart in Excel in a few clicks because we had the data available in layers.

You can comfortably create a Sankey Diagram in Excel from the example above. As a data analyst for your power company, you can help stakeholders understand the long-term plans for power supply.

With many visual presentations in ChartExpo, why did we use Sankey in Excel to visualize your data? Let’s jump right into those reasons.

Video Tutorial: How to Make Sankey Chart in Excel?

In the following video, you will learn how to make a Sankey Chart in Excel without any coding in a few clicks.

Why should you use the Sankey Graph in Excel?

Using a Sankey diagram to represent your data lets you see it from different levels.

A Sankey diagram in an Excel spreadsheet allows you to evaluate complex metrics graphically. Additionally, you can draw attention to one element of your data story for your audience.

It can assist you in visualizing customer behavior and opportunities provided by influential contributors from a business perspective.

A Sankey Diagram in Excel is essential in getting stakeholders to implement your ideas when presenting a project to management.

Make your Sankey graph in Excel simple to read for the audience when utilizing it to illustrate your point. Make sure your Sankey in excel doesn’t mislead your readers.

Application of Sankey Chart in Excel

Where can we use Sankey Charts in Excel? This is the one thing we need to ask ourselves. You can use a Sankey Diagram in Excel to see data that seems like a flow, such as:

• Presenting survey results
• A website’s customer base for digital marketing
• Supply chain administration
• Visualizing hierarchical data
• Energy Administration
• Visualizing the customer journey
• Revenue information, particularly for budgetary and cash flow analysis.

FAQs:

How do I create a Sankey chart in excel?

To create Sankey Chart in Excel in a few clicks without any coding, follow the simple steps below.

• Open your Excel Application.
• Click Insert>My Apps>ChartExpo for Excel.
• Look for the Sankey Chart in the charts list.
• Select your data and click Create Chart From Selection.
• You will get the Sankey Chart in Excel, which you can edit and customize.

To better learn with the help of images you can read our blog above or you can watch a video tutorial here.

Can you make a Sankey diagram in excel?

Yes, you can achieve this by downloading and installing an excel add-in for creating a Sankey diagram called ChartExpo. This is because Excel lacks chart templates for Sankey.

ChartExpo has several templates, including a Sankey Diagram. With ChartExpo, you can create a Sankey Visualization in excel.

Wrap Up

Let’s recap everything we have discussed.

We now know that Sankey Charts in Excel are among the best charts you can employ to capture your audience’s interest in your data story.

You now know how to make a Sankey diagram in excel.

Sankey Diagrams in Excel are impressively simple to read and evaluate insights, as we have also discovered.

The most admirable feature of the Sankey graph in Excel that we now know is that it can draw attention to the critical details of your data story for the audience.