How to Make a Sankey Chart in Excel for Better Results
Learn how to create a Sankey chart in Excel to visualize data flow clearly. When working with complex charts becomes difficult, Kimi Sheets helps you structure data easily, speed up creation, and improve accuracy for smoother analysis.Try Kimi SheetsWorking with large datasets can be confusing when tracking movement and flow between different points. Simple charts often fail to present this information clearly, making analysis more difficult than necessary. A Sankey chart solves this by turning complex data into a clear visual flow, but creating one in Excel can still be difficult and time-consuming. Tools like Kimi Sheets help structure data more easily, allowing you to build charts faster with fewer errors. In this article, you will learn how to create a Sankey diagram in Excel manually and with AI tools.
Table of contents
- A quick overview of 3 ways to make a Sankey diagram in Excel
- How to make a Sankey diagram in Excel manually?
- How to create a Sankey diagram in Excel with add-ins?
- How to make a Sankey diagram in Excel using AI tools?
- Applications of Excel Sankey charts
- Conclusion
A quick overview of 3 ways to make a Sankey diagram in Excel
Creating a Sankey diagram in Excel can be done in different ways. Some methods require manual effort and careful chart building, while others rely on add-ins or AI support for faster results. Each approach has its own purpose, from learning basics to generating quick visual outputs. Here's a quick overview of these methods.
| Category | Manual Excel Method | Add-in Method (SankeyEngine) | AI Method (Kimi Sheets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Built using stacked area and column charts with helper calculations | Uses Excel add-in to auto-generate diagrams from selected data | AI automatically structures and prepares data for Sankey charts |
| Best Use Case | Understanding Sankey flow logic in detail | Quick visualization directly in Excel | Fastest workflow with minimal manual effort |
| Effort Level | High | Medium | Low |
| Time Required | 2–4 hours | 5–10 minutes | 1–5 minutes |
Different methods suit different needs, so the right choice depends on how much control or speed you want in your workflow. Manual creation works well when understanding chart mechanics is important, while add-ins reduce effort by automating most of the process inside Excel. However, when the goal is speed, accuracy, and zero manual setup, Kimi Sheets becomes the easiest option as it prepares structured data instantly and removes technical complexity.
How to make a Sankey diagram in Excel manually?
Creating a Sankey diagram in Excel requires using standard chart tools, as there is no built-in Sankey option. It uses structured data, helper calculations, and layered charts to represent flow between categories. Here's how to do it step by step.
Step 1: Prepare and structure data
Organize your data into three columns: Source, Target, and Value to define how the flow moves between points. This structure forms the base for all calculations and ensures each connection is clearly defined.
Step 2: Create helper tables and Sankey lines
Use helper formulas like SUMIF to calculate totals and spacing for alignment. Then create 100% stacked area charts to represent individual flow lines, adding value-based layers for accurate visual thickness.
Step 3: Format and assemble the diagram
Overlay and align all charts to form the final Sankey structure. Remove axes, gridlines, and backgrounds, and adjust transparency so only flow bands remain visible. This creates a complete Sankey diagram showing data movement clearly.
How to create a Sankey diagram in Excel with add-ins?
Creating a Sankey diagram in Excel is much easier with a dedicated add-in. These tools eliminate the need for complex formulas and allow you to generate visual flows quickly. A popular option is SankeyEngine, which works directly inside Excel without coding or extra setup.
Step 1: Install SankeyEngine add-in
Open Excel and install the SankeyEngine add-in. After installation, it appears in the Excel ribbon under the add-ins section. This tool is fully integrated, so no external coding or subscription setup is needed.
Step 2: Select and prepare your data
Arrange your dataset with at least two categorical columns and one numerical value column. Highlight the data in Excel before moving to the add-in. Clean and proper formatting helps the diagram generate correctly without errors.
Step 3: Generate and customize the diagram
Click the Sankey diagram icon from the ribbon to create the visual. Choose color themes or apply custom colors based on your preference. The diagram will appear instantly, and you can click on flows to highlight and analyze data movement easily.
Creating a Sankey diagram in Excel becomes much simpler when AI tools handle the data structure and flow logic for you. Instead of spending time on manual formatting or complex formulas, AI can organize everything more cleanly and faster. This makes the whole process more accurate and less stressful.
How to make a Sankey diagram in Excel using AI tools?
Kimi Sheets fits into this workflow as an AI Excel agent that understands your data and prepares it for visualizations such as Sankey diagrams. It automatically arranges messy datasets into structured formats, so you don't need to worry about sorting or calculations. With its clean layout and quick processing, Kimi Sheets turns complex Excel tasks into a smooth and guided experience.
Step 1: Upload your Excel and enter the prompt
Start by uploading your Excel file into Kimi Sheets. After that, enter a clear prompt explaining the Sankey structure or flow you want to create.
Example prompt:
Step 2: Let Kimi process and generate results
Once the prompt is submitted, Kimi Sheets begins analyzing your dataset. It automatically cleans, structures, and reorganizes the data into a format suitable for Sankey diagrams. You don't need to adjust formulas or settings, as the AI handles flow mapping and prepares ready-to-use results.
Step 3: Download Excel
After the processing is complete, download the updated Excel file. The file already includes a fully prepared Sankey chart along with structured data, ready for immediate use. This final step provides a clean, ready-to-use spreadsheet without any manual work.
Essential features of Kimi Sheets
- AI generation from a prompt: Kimi Sheets can understand simple text instructions and turn them into structured outputs. This helps users create data setups without doing manual work.
- Automatic formula creation support: It automatically builds Excel formulas based on your task or prompt. This reduces errors and saves time when working with complex calculations.
- Clean data organization tools: Kimi Sheets organizes messy or unstructured data into a clear format. It makes datasets easier to read, manage, and analyze.
- Chart and visualization creation: The tool helps turn raw data into visualizations such as flows and diagrams. This makes it easier to understand patterns and relationships.
- Multi-format file compatibility: Kimi Sheets supports multiple file types for easy import and export. You can move your data between tools without formatting issues.
Applications of Excel Sankey charts
Sankey diagrams are widely used because they make complex data flows easy to understand visually. These charts help break down large datasets into simple movement patterns between sources and targets. Below are some useful ways to use these Sankey charts.
- Job flow analysis
A Sankey chart in Excel helps show how employees or tasks move between departments or roles. It becomes easier to track workload distribution and internal movement patterns. Using it makes HR analysis more visual and easier to use for decision-making.
- Financial data tracking
Financial inflows and outflows can be visualized clearly using a Sankey chart in Excel. It shows how money moves between accounts, expenses, and revenue sources. This helps quickly understand spending patterns and financial performance.
- Supply chain mapping
A Sankey diagram in Excel is useful for tracking material movement across suppliers, warehouses, and customers. It highlights how resources flow through the entire supply chain system. This makes it easier to identify delays or inefficiencies.
- Customer journey insights
Customer interactions across different touchpoints can be mapped using a Sankey chart in Excel. It shows how users move through the awareness-to-purchase stages. This helps businesses understand behavior and improve engagement strategies.
- Energy usage patterns
Energy flow across systems or processes can be visualized using Sankey diagrams. It shows where energy is generated, used, or lost. This helps identify waste and improve efficiency in energy management and planning, enabling better decision-making and optimization.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams make complex data easier to understand by turning flows into clear visual patterns. Different Excel methods give users flexibility based on their time, skill, and workflow needs. From manual setup to add-ins and AI-based tools, each approach serves a different purpose. Choosing the right method depends on how simple or advanced your process needs to be. Tools like Kimi Sheets make it easier to make a Sankey chart in Excel, so it's worth trying for smoother results.