Sankey Chart in Tableau : Bijay Kumar

July 18, 2025 July 18, 2025

Sankey Chart in Tableau
by: Bijay Kumar
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### Summary of the Content The content discusses the creation and use of Sankey charts in Tableau, particularly in the context of analyzing profit generation for a retail office supply company. A Sankey chart is a type of data visualization that illustrates the flow of data between categories, with the width of the lines representing the amount of profit generated. The tutorial outlines the steps to create a Sankey chart using Tableau, starting with setting up a connection to the Superstore data. It explains how to use an extension in Tableau to add a Sankey chart and how to configure it by selecting the appropriate fields for visualization, such as Region, Product Category, and Profit. Additionally, it introduces the concept of creating a three-level Sankey chart to visualize data across multiple dimensions, such as Category, Sub-Category, and Segment, enhancing the understanding of product distribution and profitability. ### Key Details: - **Sankey Chart**: A visualization tool that shows data flow between categories, with line width indicating quantity. - **Purpose**: To analyze profit generation by region and product category and identify losses. - **Steps to Create**: 1. Set up a connection to data in Tableau. 2. Use the Marks section to add the Sankey extension. 3. Configure the chart by adding relevant fields (Region, Category, Profit). 4. Optionally create a three-level chart for deeper analysis. ### Additional Context: Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex data flows and can help businesses identify trends and areas for improvement. This is especially relevant in retail, where understanding product performance across different regions can inform inventory and marketing strategies. ### Relevant Hashtags for SEO: #SankeyChart #TableauTutorial #DataVisualization #RetailAnalytics #ProfitAnalysis #BusinessIntelligence #DataFlow #TableauCharts #DataAnalysis #VisualizationTools

While working as a data analyst for a retail office supply company, I was analyzing how profit was generated from each region for different categories. For this, I have to create a data visualization through which we can understand which categories are the most profitable within each region and figure out if any area is generating losses for specific categories.

For this data visualization, I created a Sankey chart, displaying the source as region and the target as Product Category. In this, the width of the flow between each Region and Category represents the total profit generated.

In this Tableau tutorial, we will explain the Sankey chart in Tableau and the steps for creating one.

What is a Sankey Chart in Tableau?

In Tableau, a Sankey chart displays the flow of data between multiple categories, showing how values move from one stage to another. It’s useful for representing “before and after” states or relationships between different categories. The width of the flow lines in the chart represents the magnitude of the flow, with wider lines representing larger quantities.

Check out: Tableau Gauge Chart

Create a Sankey Chart in Tableau

In this Tableau Sankey chart, we are using the Superstore data of Tableau. After setting up the connection with the data source, follow the steps below.

In Tableau, to create a Sankey chart, we have an extension in the Marks section. To use this, you need to download this extension first.

Click on the Marks section dropdown and click the Add Extension button.

In the extension, you will see the Sankey chart at the top of the list. Here, click on the Download icon to get the Sankey chart in your Tableau.

In the Marks section, select the chart type as Sankey.

Unlike other charts in Tableau, we don’t need to add any columns or rows in the Sankey chart.

To visualize the values, we will add the Category and Region fields to the Level card in the Sankey chart mark type.

As we can see in the chart above, the data flow between two dimensions displays the supply of specific product categories in each region.

Check out: Tableau Dual Axis Chart

To show the profit generated from various product categories in each region, add the Profit to the Link card in the Sankey marks section.

Now, we can see a line connecting Region to Category, also displaying the sales profit generated for the product category in a specific region.

For example, when I hover the data line connecting the East region with the product category furniture, it will show the generated sales profit.

Here, the thicker line shows the most, and the thinner lines show the least profit.

This way, we can create a Sankey chart in Tableau by adding the Sankey extension.

Check out: Line Chart in Tableau

Create a Three-Level Sankey Chart in Tableau

Let’s take another example, where we can add more than two levels or dimensions in the Tableau Sankey chart. In this example, we will display the number of products supplied to different segments that are Home Office, Corporate, and Consumer.

This Sankey chart will show the data flow through which we can know the quantity of product and product subcategory supplied in each segment.

Set the Marks type to Sankey chart.

Create a three level sankey chart in Tableau

According to the example, to show the data flow among Category, Sub-Category, and Segment, add all three in the Level card.

With this, we can see the connection and the flow from Category to Segment and Segment to Category.

To display the number of products or the quantity of products, add the Quantity to the Link card in the Sankey chart Marks section.

Now, as we hover over any of the data connection lines, it will show the connection among the product category, segment, and subcategory.

For example, if I hover on the data line connecting category Office Supplies, segment as Consumer, and sub-category as Appliances, then it will display the connecting data and product quantity.

This way, we can create a three-level Sankey chart in Tableau to visualize the data between three dimensions.

Check out: Bullet Chart in Tableau

I hope the examples that we have discussed in the steps above helped to understand what a Sankey chart is in Tableau and how to create one to visualize complex data flows across multiple dimensions.

Salesforce Reader

Sankey Chart in Tableau : Bijay Kumar

What is a Sankey Chart in Tableau?

Create a Sankey Chart in Tableau

Create a Three-Level Sankey Chart in Tableau

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