How to Enter Data in SankeyMATIC

Updated

Enter each flow on its own line using the format Source [Amount] Target. SankeyMATIC reads that text directly in your browser and builds the diagram from the flows you define. You do not need to install an extension, write code, or sign up to start.

The input format

Every line describes one flow from a source to a target, with the amount in square brackets between them:

Source [Amount] Target
  • Source — where the flow comes from (for example, a budget category or an earlier stage).
  • [Amount] — the quantity moving along that flow, written inside square brackets.
  • Target — where the flow goes.

Each line is independent, so a diagram is just a list of these flows. SankeyMATIC uses them to compare amounts through different stages, which is why the same source or target can appear on multiple lines.

A worked example

Suppose you are visualizing a simple budget where income is split between two spending categories:

Income [1000] Rent
Income [400] Savings

Here Income is the source on both lines, and the amounts show how it divides between Rent and Savings. Because both lines share the same source, SankeyMATIC treats them as branches of one flow rather than two unrelated entries.

To add another stage, keep chaining sources and targets:

Income [1000] Rent
Income [400] Savings
Savings [150] Emergency Fund
Savings [250] Investments

Now Savings is both a target (from Income) and a source (to Emergency Fund and Investments), so the diagram shows the money moving through multiple stages.

What happens as you type

The diagram updates from the flows you enter, so you can see the result while you build the list. This makes it practical to add lines one at a time and check the shape of the diagram as it grows.

Customizing and saving

Once the flows are in place, SankeyMATIC provides a wide array of controls to adjust how the diagram looks. When you are happy with it, you can export:

  • a high-resolution PNG image, choosing from multiple sizes;
  • a vector file (SVG), suitable for embedding in a web page or importing into a vector graphics editor.

You can also save the current state of your work in a readable plain text file. That makes it easy to resume later on any computer or in any browser, and to compare versions of a diagram by showing the differences between source files.

Common points to watch

  • Keep the brackets. The amount must sit inside [ ] on the same line as its source and target.
  • One flow per line. Each line defines a single source-to-target flow; do not combine multiple flows on one line.
  • Reuse names exactly. If a name is spelled differently on two lines, they will be treated as different sources or targets rather than connected stages.
  • No account required. You do not have to enter an email address or sign up for a trial period to use it.