{"id":24572,"date":"2026-03-25T11:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T06:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/?p=24572"},"modified":"2026-03-25T22:23:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:23:03","slug":"sankey-diagram-in-power-bi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/sankey-diagram-in-power-bi","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Sankey Diagram in Power BI?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"178\" data-end=\"424\">A Sankey Diagram in Power BI is used to visualize how data flows between different stages, categories, or processes. It highlights the movement of resources, information, or values by using links whose width represents the magnitude of each flow.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sankey-diagram-in-power-bi.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4345\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sankey-diagram-in-power-bi.jpg\" alt=\"Sankey Diagram in Power BI\" width=\"650\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"426\" data-end=\"586\">Named after Irish engineer Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, this chart makes it easy to identify major contributors, bottlenecks, and drop-offs in a process.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"767\">In Power BI, Sankey diagrams help turn complex flow data into clear, interactive insights for faster decision-making.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s dive right in.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-sankey-diagram-in-power-bi\">What is a Sankey Diagram in Power BI?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Definition: <\/strong>A Sankey Diagram in Power BI is a flow chart that connects a source and a target to show how values move between them. Each connection (flow) represents a relationship between two points, and its width indicates the size or quantity of that flow.<\/p>\n<p>This helps users analyze distribution, track transitions, and understand how data is split or combined across multiple stages.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-is-sankey-diagram-power-bi-important\">Why Use a Sankey Diagram in Power BI?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"627\">Power BI Sankey diagrams are valuable for analyzing flows and understanding how data moves across different stages. They help businesses and analysts:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"1207\">\n<li data-section-id=\"qt7lu3\" data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"754\"><strong data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"658\">Visualize complex flows: <\/strong>Show how data moves between categories, processes, or entities in a simple, intuitive way<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"rsn38y\" data-start=\"756\" data-end=\"863\"><strong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"781\">Highlight key paths: <\/strong>Use link width to reveal major contributors and high-impact flows instantly<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"12cfstv\" data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"968\"><strong data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"894\">Identify inefficiencies: <\/strong>Spot bottlenecks, drop-offs, or resource losses that need attention<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"at0dfc\" data-start=\"970\" data-end=\"1077\"><strong data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1000\">Support better decisions: <\/strong>Provide clear insights that help analysts and stakeholders act quickly<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"193dwjw\" data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1207\"><strong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1115\">Enhance dashboards and reports: <\/strong>Create interactive, visually engaging <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-report-examples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Power BI reports<\/a> for presentations and analysis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Data Requirements for a Sankey Diagram in Power BI<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"245\" data-end=\"409\">To create a Sankey Diagram in Power BI, your data must be structured to show the flow between two points. Each connection requires three key components:<\/p>\n<h3>Source<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The starting point of the flow (e.g., product, marketing channel, department, or process stage)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Target<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The destination where the flow moves (e.g., next stage in a funnel or outcome)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Value<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The quantity or volume of the flow (e.g., number of users, revenue, or units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1ar188b\" data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"739\">Example Data Structure<\/h3>\n<div class=\"TyagGW_tableContainer\">\n<div class=\"group TyagGW_tableWrapper flex flex-col-reverse w-fit\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<table class=\"static\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; font-size: 17px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"122\"><strong>Source<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"125\"><strong>Target<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"64\"><strong>Value<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Tablet<\/td>\n<td>Cost<\/td>\n<td>17.5K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mobile<\/td>\n<td>Conversions<\/td>\n<td>32K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Desktop<\/td>\n<td>Clicks<\/td>\n<td>42.5K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Smart TV<\/td>\n<td>Impressions<\/td>\n<td>55.5K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cost<\/td>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>79.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Conversions<\/td>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>79.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Clicks<\/td>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>79.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Impressions<\/td>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>79.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cost<\/td>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>67.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Conversions<\/td>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>67.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Clicks<\/td>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>67.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Impressions<\/td>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>67.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>Current<\/td>\n<td>68.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>USA<\/td>\n<td>Previous<\/td>\n<td>78.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>Current<\/td>\n<td>68.8K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>UK<\/td>\n<td>Previous<\/td>\n<td>78.7K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-create-a-custom-sankey-diagram-in-power-bi\">How to Create a Custom Sankey Diagram in Power BI?<\/h2>\n<p>This step-by-step guide shows how to build a clear and interactive <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/tools\/power-bi-custom-visuals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Power BI Sankey Visual<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"13dzyyn\" data-start=\"356\" data-end=\"385\">Step 1: Prepare Your Data<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"581\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1iruhe1\" data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"581\">Structure your dataset with three columns:\n<ul data-start=\"439\" data-end=\"581\">\n<li data-section-id=\"cbfth2\" data-start=\"439\" data-end=\"488\">Source (From): Starting point of the flow<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"gw6i87\" data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"535\">Target (To): Destination of the flow<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"so8ncq\" data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"581\">Value (Weight): Flow size or volume<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"692\"><em data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"589\">Tip:<\/em> Ensure your data is clean, with consistent naming and no blank values, to avoid errors in the visual.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"18n06ki\" data-start=\"694\" data-end=\"729\">Step 2: Load Data into Power BI<\/h3>\n<ol data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"859\">\n<li data-section-id=\"gztx8o\" data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"760\">Open Power BI Desktop<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"9crnn5\" data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"791\">Go to Home \u2192 Get Data<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1nz6etb\" data-start=\"792\" data-end=\"839\">Select your dataset (Excel, CSV, etc.)<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1wpnk0n\" data-start=\"840\" data-end=\"859\">Click Load<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1sl52up\" data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"899\">Step 3: Add a Custom Sankey Visual<\/h3>\n<ol data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"1089\">\n<li data-section-id=\"124peys\" data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"937\">Open the Visualizations pane<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1p4k93x\" data-start=\"938\" data-end=\"990\">Click the three dots (\u2026) \u2192 Get more visuals<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"16rkpoc\" data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1032\">Search for \u201cPower BI Sankey Diagram\u201d in AppSource<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1tkxuim\" data-start=\"1033\" data-end=\"1089\">Select a custom Sankey visual and click Add<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"818ap7\" data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1127\">Step 4: Build the Sankey Visual<\/h3>\n<ol data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1298\">\n<li data-section-id=\"ov6sef\" data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1175\">Drag the Sankey visual onto the canvas<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"uvadaa\" data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1298\">Assign fields:\n<ul data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1298\">\n<li data-section-id=\"v3znzs\" data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1228\">Source \u2192 Source field<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"lh4cid\" data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1266\">Target \u2192 Destination field<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"8wrm37\" data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1298\">Value \u2192 Weight field<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"ukmnqj\" data-start=\"1300\" data-end=\"1331\">Step 5: Customize the Chart<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1332\" data-end=\"1485\">\n<li data-section-id=\"c6jtn4\" data-start=\"1332\" data-end=\"1361\">Open the Format panel<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"8idex\" data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1485\">Adjust:\n<ul data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1485\">\n<li data-section-id=\"697sx0\" data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1410\">Colors for nodes and flows<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1cgwfps\" data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1444\">Labels and tooltips<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1k3n3nh\" data-start=\"1447\" data-end=\"1485\">Node spacing and alignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"f5ntu9\" data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1519\">Step 6: Optimize Readability<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1520\" data-end=\"1702\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1gg5dj2\" data-start=\"1520\" data-end=\"1566\">Limit the number of nodes to avoid clutter<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1ezq0y0\" data-start=\"1567\" data-end=\"1611\">Use consistent colors for categories<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1f3bhsv\" data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1643\">Avoid overlapping flows<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"uy3fui\" data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1702\">Keep flow direction clear (typically left \u2192 right)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"lxez47\" data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1732\">Step 7: Add to Dashboard<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1873\">\n<li data-section-id=\"s1ltlb\" data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1780\">Resize and position the chart appropriately<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"ayrndk\" data-start=\"1781\" data-end=\"1836\">Combine with other Power BI visuals for context<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"vzlatg\" data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1873\">Save and publish your report<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size full wp image 4345\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/power-bi-sankey-diagram.jpg\" alt=\"Final Power BI Sankey Diagram\" width=\"650\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Native vs Custom Sankey Visuals in Power BI<\/h2>\n<table class=\"static\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; font-size: 17px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"228\"><strong>Native Visuals<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"334\"><strong>Custom Sankey Visuals<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Availability<\/td>\n<td>Built-in with Power BI<\/td>\n<td>Must be added from AppSource<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Supported Chart Types<\/td>\n<td>Standard charts (bar, line, pie, matrix)<\/td>\n<td>Sankey diagrams for flows between categories<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Customization<\/td>\n<td>Limited formatting<\/td>\n<td>Node colors, flow thickness, labels, tooltips<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Interactivity<\/td>\n<td>Standard interactions<\/td>\n<td>Interactive with hover effects and drill-through options<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Maintenance<\/td>\n<td>Fully supported by Power BI updates<\/td>\n<td>Requires manual updates and compatibility checks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Use Case<\/td>\n<td>Simple charts and reports<\/td>\n<td>Visualizing complex flows and relationships<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"top-10-use-cases-for-power-bi-sankey-chart\">Top 7 Use Cases for Power BI Sankey Chart<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"57\" data-end=\"159\">The Power BI Sankey chart is ideal for visualizing complex <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-data-flows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">data flows<\/a>. Common use cases include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"309\">\n<h3>Customer Journey<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"309\">Track how customers move through <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/marketing-funnel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing funnels<\/a>, sales pipelines, or service stages to identify drop-offs and optimize experiences.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size full wp image 4345\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/customer-journey-visualization-chart-101-1.jpg\" alt=\"Website Customer Journey\" width=\"650\" \/><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"448\">\n<h3>Company Cash Flow<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"448\">Show how money flows between accounts, departments, or projects to monitor inflows, outflows, and financial efficiency.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"448\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size full wp image 4345 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Company-Cash-Flow-Template.jpg\" alt=\"Company Cash Flow\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"585\">\n<h3>Energy Flow<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"585\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/energy-flow-diagram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visualize energy flow<\/a>, consumption, and losses across systems to highlight inefficiencies and optimize usage.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"585\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size full wp image 4345 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/energy-flow-diagram-1.jpg\" alt=\"Energy Flow\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"724\">\n<h3>Supply Chain<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"724\">Map the movement of materials from suppliers to delivery to identify bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size full wp image 4345\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/supply-chain.jpg\" alt=\"Supply Chain\" width=\"734\" height=\"417\" \/><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"842\">\n<h3>User Flow<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"842\">Analyze how users navigate websites, apps, or platforms to enhance user experience and engagement.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"842\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size full wp image 4345 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/User-Flow-Diagram.jpg\" alt=\"User Flow \" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"979\">\n<h3>Funds Flow<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"979\">Track the allocation and usage of funds across multiple projects or departments for better transparency and control.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size full wp image 4345\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/funds-flow.jpg\" alt=\"Funds Flow\" width=\"650\" \/><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1122\">\n<h3>Data Lineage<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1122\">Trace the movement of data between systems, tables, or reports to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective governance.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size full wp image 4345\" src=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/data-lineage.jpg\" alt=\"Data Lineage\" width=\"704\" height=\"337\" \/><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"when-not-to-use-a-sankey-chart-in-power-bi\">When Not to Use a Sankey Chart in Power BI?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"178\" data-end=\"338\"><strong data-start=\"178\" data-end=\"206\">When your data is simple: <\/strong>If the process has only a few steps or minimal movement, a basic bar, line, or column chart communicates insights more clearly.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"485\"><strong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"371\">When flows overlap too much: <\/strong>This chart can become confusing if there are too many nodes or crossing connections, reducing readability.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"662\"><strong data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"515\">When exact values matter: <\/strong>Flow diagrams emphasize flow patterns and relationships, not precise numbers. Use tables or bar charts if your audience needs exact figures.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"827\"><strong data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"697\">When performance is a concern: <\/strong>Large datasets with many links can slow down Power BI visuals, <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-dashboard-in-power-bi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">making dashboards<\/a> less responsive and harder to interact with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Common Mistakes When Creating Sankey Charts in Power BI<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"210\" data-end=\"370\">\n<h3>Using messy or inconsistent data<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"210\" data-end=\"370\">If your source and target names aren\u2019t clean and consistent, the diagram will be inaccurate or fail to render properly.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"504\">\n<h3>Too many nodes or links<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"504\">Adding every possible category creates clutter and overlapping flows, making the chart hard to read.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"679\">\n<h3>Ignoring data aggregation<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"679\">Feeding raw transactional data without summarizing inflates connections and distorts the visual. Always aggregate flows at the right level.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"821\">\n<h3>Incorrect field assignments<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"821\">Placing the wrong field in Source, Target, or Value causes misleading relationships and invalid visuals.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"962\">\n<h3>Skipping labels and tooltips<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"962\">Without clear labels or tooltips, users can\u2019t interpret what the flows represent, reducing their usefulness.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1128\">\n<h3>Overcomplicating colors and styles<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1128\">Using too many colors or inconsistent styles distracts viewers and masks insights. Stick to a simple, meaningful palette.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1130\" data-end=\"1284\">\n<h3>Neglecting performance optimization<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1130\" data-end=\"1284\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-dataset\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Large datasets<\/a> without filtering or pre\u2011aggregation slow down Power BI, leading to lagging visuals or crashes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tips-for-creating-a-sankey-graph-in-power-bi\">Best Practices for Creating Sankey Diagrams in Power BI<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"371\">\n<h3>Keep Your Data Structure Clean<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"371\">Ensure your Source, Target, and Value fields are well-organized. Accurate mapping helps the chart display flows correctly and prevents errors.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"513\">\n<h3>Limit Unnecessary Nodes<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"373\" data-end=\"513\">Too many nodes can clutter the chart. Include only the key steps so the flow remains clear and easy to read.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"687\">\n<h3>Use Consistent Colors<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"687\">Apply colors that correspond to categories or stages. Consistent coloring helps users follow the movement through the chart without confusion.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"853\">\n<h3>Highlight Key Paths<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"853\">Adjust link thickness or colors to emphasize the most important flows. This makes insights easier to identify in <a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-dashboard-vs-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dashboards and reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<h3>How Do You Format Your Data to Build a Sankey Diagram in Power BI?<\/h3>\n<p>Structure your data into three columns: Source, Target, and Value. Each row should represent a connection between two points along with its flow size. Make sure the data is clean, consistent, and free of duplicates for accurate visualization.<\/p>\n<h3>Can Power BI create Sankey charts?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"457\">Power BI does not support Sankey charts natively, but you can easily create them using custom visuals from AppSource. These visuals allow you to display flows between categories with interactive and customizable features.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"457\">When should you use a Sankey diagram in Power BI?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"457\">Use a Power BI Sankey diagram when you need to visualize flows between categories, especially when tracking movement, transitions, or relationships in complex datasets.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"Wrap-Up\">Wrap up<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"180\" data-end=\"402\">Using the right visualization helps you communicate insights clearly, especially when you&#8217;re working with flows or connected stages. These charts are one of the most effective ways to show how values move across a process.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"415\" data-end=\"601\">In this guide, we explored the Sankey diagram in Power BI from start to finish. We covered what it is, how it works, and how nodes and links represent the flow of data within a system.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"777\">We also looked at practical situations where this type of visual fits well, such as analyzing flows, relationships, and movement between stages.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"827\">To build a strong chart, the key points include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Limit the number of nodes and flows to maintain clarity<\/li>\n<li>Avoid using data where values are too similar to distinguish visually<\/li>\n<li>Focus on telling a clear and meaningful data story<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1189\">Finally, we walked through how to create a Sankey chart in Power BI using custom visuals, along with best practices and common mistakes to avoid.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-connectors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Power BI Data Connectors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/power-bi-advanced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Power BI Advanced Analytics<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/creating-a-hierarchy-in-power-bi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Creating a Hierarchy in Power BI<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/bi-reporting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Power of Business Intelligence Reporting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><p>Learn how to create Sankey Diagrams in Power BI to visualize data flows, track relationships, and uncover insights with interactive visuals.<\/p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/chartexpo.com\/blog\/sankey-diagram-in-power-bi\"><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24614,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1017],"tags":[1126],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\r\n<title>How to Create a Sankey Diagram in Power BI? 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