A Sankey diagram is a special type of flow diagram used to illustrate values. Sankey diagrams are notable because their arrow width is always proportional to the rate of flow. While these aren’t buildable with native Excel features, you can easily do it with an add-in. Let’s learn how to make a Sankey diagram in Microsoft Excel.
How to Make a Sankey Diagram in Excel
Sankey diagram charts are quite easy to create in Microsoft Excel. You’ll need two things to do it easily:
- A data table. These are the values that Excel will use to draw your Sankey diagram.
- The Power User add-in. Excel add-ins are additional feature sets that you can add to your Excel installation. This helps you expand the versatility of your install by bringing in customized features not included by default in the app.
To download Power User, go to https://www.powerusersoftwares.com and click on the red Download button at the top of your screen. Once the file downloads, open the downloaded .exe file and install the add-in. Then, open Excel.
In Excel, go to the File > Options menu. Click on Add-ins, where you’ll see the Power-user option listed. Go ahead and activate it, then click OK.
Excel now has a new tab on the ribbon: Power-user. Click on this to open the Power User features. Notice on the left side the button you’re looking for: Create Sankey Chart.
Click on Create Sankey Chart. You’ll be asked to select the data source, which is the data that will be used to create your chart. Click and drag to select the range, which here is A1:D4.
When you’re finished, click OK. The Power User add-in will instantly draw a beautiful Sankey chart on your Excel sheet. You can move it around and manipulate it just like any other chart in Excel.
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