Building a Superstore Profitability Sankey Diagram in Tableau

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A simple walkthrough using Tableau’s Sankey Chart add-on.

Sankey diagrams show how something flows from one place to another. They look complicated, but Tableau now has a chart add-on in the Marks card that turns the process into something simple. No densification tables. No complex calculations. Two steps and you have a clean, flowing diagram.

I used the classic Superstore dataset and built a Sankey chart that shows how Categories and Sub-Categories contribute to profitability. I added filters for Category, Sub-Category, and Segment, so anyone viewing the viz can explore the business from different angles.

Here’s the final chart: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/donald.haguma/viz/SuperstoreSankey_17633257467700/Superstore-ProfitabilitySankey

Why I Built It

Most tutorials show long, calculation-heavy methods, but Tableau now offers a Sankey chart add-on right inside the Marks card. That made the process faster and cleaner.

The filters were my personal enhancement. They make the chart more useful by letting you explore profitability across different parts of the business.

The Data

I used the common Sample Superstore dataset. Tableau includes it in most training resources, and copies are available all over the internet.

Fields used:

  • Category

  • Sub-Category

  • Segment

  • Profit

These fields map nicely into a Sankey where line thickness reflects business performance.

How I Built the Sankey (The Add-On Method)

This is the simplest way to build a Sankey in Tableau today.

Step 1: Drag Dimensions Onto the View

Start by placing:

  • Category on the left

  • Sub-Category on the right

You can think of this as defining the two nodes of your flow.

Add Profit to Size so the line thickness reflects the value.

Step 2: Change the Marks Type to Sankey

On the Marks card:

  • Click the dropdown menu

  • Choose Sankey (Chart Add-On - you will have to click and install this from the addons panel)

Tableau instantly:

  • Curves the paths

  • Handles internal densification

  • Smooths the lines

  • Sizes them based on the measure you chose

There are no joins, no path tables, and no complex calculations.
The chart works straight from the fields you already placed.

Step 3: Add Interactivity (Your Enhancement)

To make the chart more useful, add:

  • Category Filter

  • Sub-Category Filter

  • Segment Filter

Show them as dropdowns on the side.

This lets viewers slice profitability by business unit, product type, or customer segment. It turns the Sankey from a static chart into a real analytical tool.

What the Chart Shows

A Sankey diagram turns the Superstore data into something visual and intuitive:

  • You see how profit flows from broad categories down into specific products

  • You can spot which sub-categories drive performance

  • You can view profitability by Segment with a single click

  • You can quickly compare how different product lines contribute to the bottom line

It reveals the story behind the numbers.

Where Sankeys Are Useful

They work anywhere flow matters:

  • Sales - Product lines

  • Website traffic - Conversion stages

  • Regions - Revenue

  • Energy usage - Outputs

  • Customer journeys

  • Supply-chain paths

Any process that moves from A to B can be explained with a Sankey.

Final Thoughts

Using Tableau’s Sankey add-on made the process fast and clean. Instead of spending time on calculations, I could focus on design and interactivity. The filters added a level of control that helps you see the business from many angles.

You can explore the final version on my Tableau Public profile.
I hope this walkthrough helps you build your own Sankey the easy way.

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