{"id":20908,"date":"2023-11-14T13:01:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T13:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/?p=20908"},"modified":"2026-04-24T21:12:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T16:12:56","slug":"hierarchical-data-visualization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/hierarchical-data-visualization","title":{"rendered":"How to Generate a Hierarchical Data Visualization?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Organizing and forming insights hierarchically is one of the tactics you can use to make your data stories credible.<\/p>\n

\"Hierarchical<\/a><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Our brains are engineered to identify order and rank in visual content promptly. So, you need hierarchical data visualization charts to create compelling narratives for your audiences (and readers).<\/p>\n

Why?<\/em><\/p>\n

The hierarchy charts display insights into data in a particular order. The order can either be bottom-up or top-down. The tested and proven chart for displaying hierarchical data is a Sankey Diagram.<\/p>\n

You won’t find ready-made hierarchical charts in Excel. So, if you’re a devoted user of the spreadsheet application, you’ve got to explore other options.<\/p>\n

It turns out you don’t have to do away with Excel. You can download and install an add-in to access a ready-made hierarchical data visualization chart.<\/p>\n

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:<\/p>\n

Table of Contents:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. What is a Hierarchical Data Visualization?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Best Chart for Representing Hierarchical Data<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. How to Create a Hierarchical Data Visualization in Excel?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Benefits of Using Hierarchical Data Visualizations<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Wrap Up<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Before we delve into the how-to guide, we’ll address the following question: what is a hierarchical data visualization chart?<\/p>\n

    What is a Hierarchical Data Visualization?<\/h2>\n

    The word \u201cHierarchy\u201d is in fact from the Greek word ‘hierarchy,’ which is interpreted as the \u201crule of a high priest.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In today’s world, hierarchy is a structure of values (titles, objects, positions, etc.) in which each value is placed above, below, or equal to others.<\/p>\n

    In data analytics, hierarchical data visualization charts are used to display insights into data in a certain order. The hierarchy can be top-down or bottom-up, depending on your needs or liking.<\/p>\n

    The charts are amazingly noteworthy in data analysis because they uncover unseen patterns and relationships in your data.<\/p>\n

    A typical example of hierarchical data visualization is the file and folder system found on your computer. Usually, there are parent folders with sub-folders, which are somehow linked, depending on your criteria.<\/p>\n

    Another illustrative is a Mekko chart example<\/a>, which provides a visual representation of data across multiple dimensions, similar to how folders and sub-folders are organized and related to each other.<\/p>\n

    Hierarchical data visualization charts are one of the powerful types of charts<\/a> that create rank-like impressions in our brains. Each data point is represented by a node in the tree, and each node may have a pool of sub-nodes (also known as child nodes).<\/p>\n

    The association between the parent and the child nodes creates a tree network, which provides hierarchical insights.<\/p>\n

    In the coming section, we’ll take you through the best chart for representing hierarchical data.<\/p>\n

    Best Chart for Representing Hierarchical Data<\/h2>\n

    The tested and proven chart for displaying insights into hierarchical data is a Sankey Diagram.<\/p>\n

    You can use Sankey Charts<\/a> to visualize data with hierarchical and flow-like attributes, such as material, energy, cost, etc.<\/p>\n

    \"Best<\/a><\/div>\n

    This chart draws the reader’s attention to the enormous flows and other insights. Besides, the visualization design uses links and nodes to uncover hidden insights into relationships between critical metrics.<\/p>\n

    The size of a node is directly proportional to the number of data points under analysis. A flow that’s twice as wide represents double the value of the metric. You need a Sankey diagram in Excel<\/a> to access this visualization for data storytelling.<\/p>\n

    The hierarchical data visualization chart provides you with a 360-degree view of your data, irrespective of its complexity and volume. And it accomplishes this by transforming complex, raw data into insights for your data stories.<\/p>\n

    Use the Sankey Diagram to identify the areas that need urgent improvement in your business, such as customer satisfaction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The visualization design is made up of the following:<\/p>\n