SAP Analytics Cloud QRC3 2026 Sankey chart: see how value flows

The Sankey chart is one of three native chart types SAP added in the QRC3 2026 release — alongside the Funnel and Gauge charts. It answers a question bars struggle with: how does a quantity flow and split between categories? Here is when to use it, and a free template to try it on.

What the Sankey chart is for

A Sankey draws flows as bands whose width is proportional to volume, so you can follow how a total divides and recombines across stages. Think budget flowing from funding sources to departments, marketing spend flowing across channels to outcomes, or customers flowing from acquisition sources to segments. The width does the talking: the fat bands are where the money or the movement actually is.

When a Sankey beats a bar chart

Reach for a Sankey when the story is about flow and proportion between two or more sets of categories — sources on one side, destinations on the other — and you want the split to be visible at a glance. If you only need to compare totals, a bar chart is simpler and clearer; a Sankey earns its place when the connections matter as much as the totals.

The three new QRC3 charts, in one line each

• Sankey — flow and volume between categories (allocation, channels, journeys).
• Funnel — stage-by-stage drop-off. See the Funnel example.
• Gauge — one KPI against a target. See the Gauge example.

All three build faster with the new Quick Builder for Charts in QRC3, and being native means no custom widget to package or maintain.

Try it on a real scenario

Two natural fits. For budget allocation — funding flowing to cost centres and categories — start from our free annual budget template. For marketing flow — spend and traffic moving across acquisition channels to outcomes — the marketing & acquisition template gives you the channel structure to map. Both are part of the 64 free templates, no sign-up.

Where to go next

See the animated 60-second QRC3 tour, the full QRC3 2026 recap, and the other two new charts — Funnel and Gauge. Building the model behind the flow? The template catalog has ready-made structures across 16 industries.

Note: The three new charts (Sankey, Gauge, Funnel) and the Quick Builder for Charts are part of SAP's announced QRC3 2026 scope. Rollout is staggered — confirm availability in your tenant's What's New Viewer. Independent project, not affiliated with SAP SE.