Visualize flows and transfers with Sankey Diagrams. Map customer journeys, budget allocations, or energy flow with proportional arrows.

Sankey Charts are specialized diagrams used to visualize the flow of data quantities between stages. The width of the arrows (links) is proportional to the flow quantity, making it immediately obvious where the "mass" of your data is moving. They are invaluable for mapping customer journeys, budget allocations, or energy distribution.

Edilitics simplifies the complex logic of flow diagrams, allowing you to generate interactive Sankey models directly from your transaction-level governed datasets.

When to Use a Sankey Chart

Use Case	Why This Chart Works
Customer Journey	Visualize pathing: Landing Page -> Product Page -> Checkout -> Purchase.
Cost Allocation	Trace budget: Gross Revenue -> Expenses -> Net Profit -> Dividends.
Energy/Resource	Map inputs to outputs (e.g., Source -> Distribution Center -> Store).
Ticket Triage	Track support: Created -> Assigned -> Escaslated -> Resolved.

Chart Configuration in Edilitics

Inputs Required

Data Type	Required Count	Description
Dimensions (Columns)	2	1st Dim: Source Node. 2nd Dim: Target Node.
Metrics (Rows)	0 - 1	Numerical value for link weight/thickness (optional).

How to Configure a Sankey Chart

Select "Sankey" from the Chart Library.
Define Flow:
- Drag your "From" dimension to Source.
- Drag your "To" dimension to Target.
Define Volume:
- Drag your measure to Value.
Layout:
- Edilitics uses an iterative algorithm to position nodes to minimize link crossing. You can adjust the iterations or node width in the format tab.
Interactivity:
- Drag & Drop: Users can manually drag nodes up and down to reorganize the layout for better readability during presentations.

Feature Highlights

Draggable Nodes

The chart is not static. Users can rearrange the vertical position of nodes to untangle complex flows or group related items closer together.

Gradient Links

Links automatically inherit a gradient color from the Source node to the Target node, making the visual direction of flow intuitive.

Path Highlighting

Hovering over a link dims all other connections, spotlighting exactly where that specific segment of traffic came from and where it went.

Multi-Step Flows

Chain multiple Sankeys or use a multi-level dataset to visualize Source -> Step 1 -> Step 2 -> Target in a single wide view.

Best Practices for Sankey Charts

Practice	Why It Matters
Limit Levels	Too many steps create a "spaghetti" chart. Filter to the top 3-4 key interaction stages.
Group Low Volumes	Use Transform to group minor flows into "Other" to prevent hundreds of tiny, unreadable lines.
Check Circular Logic	Sankey diagrams work best for directional flow (A -> B). Cyclic flows (A -> B -> A) can break the layout logic.
Focus on Volume	Use this chart to show scale, not precise numbers. A table is better for exact accounting.

How Edilitics Is Different

Unlike expensive BI plugins, Edilitics includes Sankey diagrams as a core chart type:

Built-In Support: No plugins or add-ons required - Sankey is available out of the box.
Layout Customization: Adjust node width, gap, alignment, and orientation (horizontal/vertical) directly in the format panel.
Path Highlighting: Hover over any link to spotlight where that specific flow came from and where it went.
Governed Flow Data: Source, Target, and Weight are validated from your governed dataset.

This turns complex flow analysis into an accessible, interactive experience.

Sankey Charts reveal the "hydraulic" pressure of your business. They show you not just how much happened, but where it went, uncovering inefficiencies and opportunities in your flow.

Need help? Email support@edilitics.com with your workspace, job ID, and context. We reply within one business day.

Sankey Diagrams for Flow Visualization