Network graph
Updated 6 months ago to v11.10.1 by Flourish team
How to use this template
Network graph
A template that renders a network of points and links as a force-directed graph (AKA a “node-link diagram”).
Data requirements
The minimum data requirement is a two-column list of “Links”. Each row in the list specifies the points (displayed as circles) at either end of a link (displayed as a line). You can optionally include a third column that is used to set the width of the link. (This can be thought of as visual indicator of the strength or weight of a link.)
While the Links sheet is sufficient to create a network diagram, a second “Points” sheet allows for further flexibility. Rather than letting Flourish determine all the points to add to the network based on those listed in the Links sheet, the rows in the Points sheet define the complete collection of points. This sheet can also be used to assign groups (encoded using colour) and sizes to the points.
Tips
- Initially it is assumed that the network diagram is undirected. To set your network to be directional, you can select “Show arrows on links” in the “Links” settings.
- The D3 force documentation may be useful for understanding the advanced settings.
API information
This section documents API usage specific to this template, so for an introduction we suggest you refer to the generic API documentation instead.
template: @flourish/network-graph
version: 11
Template data
There are three different formats in which you can supply data to this template. The most convenient for you to use likely depends on the source of your data, as described below.
1. Array of arrays, and a bindings object
You can supply arrays of arrays to opts.data, which might look
like:
{
data: {
links: [
[ "LinksColumn1Value1", "LinksColumn2Value1",
[ "LinksColumn1Value2", "LinksColumn2Value2",
[ "LinksColumn1Value3", "LinksColumn2Value3",
...
],
nodes: [
[ "NodesColumn1Value1", "NodesColumn2Value1",
[ "NodesColumn1Value2", "NodesColumn2Value2",
[ "NodesColumn1Value3", "NodesColumn2Value3",
...
]
}
}
where each array of arrays represents the rows in a data sheet.
To tell the API how the values from each column should be
associated with the keys that the template is expecting, you must also supply
an object attached to opts.bindings. (The meanings of the
keys in the bindings object are documented
below.) The minimal bindings you can
supply for this template are as shown in this example:
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
bindings: {
links: {
source: 0, // index of a column in your data
target: 1, // index of a column in your data
},
nodes: {
}
},
data: {
links: [
[ "LinksColumn1Value1", "LinksColumn2Value1",
[ "LinksColumn1Value2", "LinksColumn2Value2",
[ "LinksColumn1Value3", "LinksColumn2Value3",
...
],
nodes: [
[ "NodesColumn1Value1", "NodesColumn2Value1",
[ "NodesColumn1Value2", "NodesColumn2Value2",
[ "NodesColumn1Value3", "NodesColumn2Value3",
...
]
}
}
All possible bindings that you can supply are shown in this example:
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
bindings: {
links: {
source: 0, // index of a column in your data
target: 1, // index of a column in your data
value: 2, // index of a column in your data
},
nodes: {
id: 0, // index of a column in your data
group: 1, // index of a column in your data
size: 2, // index of a column in your data
image: 3, // index of a column in your data
metadata: [4, 5, ...], // index(es) of column(s) in your data
}
},
data: {
links: [
[ "LinksColumn1Value1", "LinksColumn2Value1",
[ "LinksColumn1Value2", "LinksColumn2Value2",
[ "LinksColumn1Value3", "LinksColumn2Value3",
...
],
nodes: [
[ "NodesColumn1Value1", "NodesColumn2Value1",
[ "NodesColumn1Value2", "NodesColumn2Value2",
[ "NodesColumn1Value3", "NodesColumn2Value3",
...
]
}
}
2. Array of objects with arbitrary keys, and a bindings object
This format is most likely useful when you have data from an external source,
such as CSV data loaded from d3-dsv.
You should supply this attached to the opts.data, which might look
like:
{
links: [
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
...
],
nodes: [
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
...
]
}
... but with the keys being the column headers from your
source data instead. You must also supply an object attached to
opts.bindings. The minimal bindings you can
supply for this template are as shown in this example:
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
bindings: {
links: {
source: "LinksHeader1",
target: "LinksHeader2",
},
nodes: {
}
},
data: {
links: [
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
...
],
nodes: [
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
...
]
}
}
All possible bindings that you can supply are shown in this example:
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
bindings: {
links: {
source: "LinksHeader1",
target: "LinksHeader2",
value: "LinksHeader3",
},
nodes: {
id: "NodesHeader1",
group: "NodesHeader2",
size: "NodesHeader3",
image: "NodesHeader4",
metadata: ["NodesHeader5", "NodesHeader6", ...],
}
},
data: {
links: [
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "LinksHeader1": ..., "LinksHeader2": ..., ... },
...
],
nodes: [
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
{ "NodesHeader1": ..., "NodesHeader2": ..., ... },
...
]
}
}
(As before, the keys containing "Header" would be replaced by column names from your data source.)
3. Array of objects with template-defined keys
There is an alternative format you can use, which is likely to be easier to
use if your data is not from a spreadsheet source. With this alternative format
you supply your data to the template as
an array of objects, attached to opts.data, where the keys must
be those used by the template, as documented below. In this case
there is no need to supply a bindings object, since the key names are already
those expected by the template. The required properties in the data
object are as follows (scroll down for a
description of what each property is):
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
data: {
links: [
{
source: ...,
target: ...
},
...
],
nodes: [
{
metadata: [...]
},
...
]
},
...
}
And the full list of all possible properties is as follows:
{
template: "@flourish/network-graph",
version: "11",
data: {
links: [
{
source: ...,
target: ...,
value: ...
},
...
],
nodes: [
{
id: ...,
group: ...,
size: ...,
image: ...,
metadata: [...]
},
...
]
},
...
}
Meanings of the template data keys:
- links.source: source
- links.target: target
- links.value: A numerical value used to set the thickness of the links.
- nodes.id: A unique identifier for each point in the network. If not specified, point information will be extracted from the links sheet.
- nodes.group: A group to which the point belongs. If set, can be used to color the points. Ignored if ID not set
- nodes.size: A numerical value used to size the points. Ignored if ID not set
- nodes.image: An image to go into the circle
- nodes.metadata: Specify additional columns to include in custom popup text (popup text must also be specified in settings panel). Ignored if ID not set
Template settings
Options for opts.state.
Chart type
chart_type string
Allowed values:
- regular (Network graph)
- radial (Radial network graph)
radial_sort string
Radial sort mode. Whether sorting will be applied or not and in which direction. Allowed values:
radial_sort_primary string
Primary sort. The primary criteria used when ordering points. If there are ties when sorting the data the secondary sorting criteria is applied. Allowed values:
radial_sort_secondary string
Secondary sort. The secondary criteria used when ordering points. It is applied in cases where the primary sorting criteria results in a tie. Allowed values:
height_mode string
Height mode. How the graphic’s height is determined; ignored when embedded in a fixed-height context such as a simple iframe embed. “Auto” sets the height based on the chart type, data and width. “Standard” uses the default Flourish responsive sizing. “Aspect ratio” sets the aspect of each plot. Please note that animations between slides in a story will only work in “Aspect ratio” mode. Allowed values:
facet_aspect number
Aspect (desktop). Aspect ratio of each plot in desktop mode, where 1 is square, above 1 is wider, and below 1 is taller. Min: 0.01 Max: 100
facet_aspect_mobile number
Aspect (mobile). Aspect of each plot in mobile mode, where 1 is square, above 1 is wider, and below 1 is taller. Min: 0.01 Max: 100
facet_aspect_breakpoint number
Breakpoint. The width at which mobile mode ends and desktop begins
ring_padding number
Ring padding (%). Adds extra spacing around the outside of the radial layout. Max: 50
ring_angle number
Ring rotation. The number of degrees to rotate the radial layout. Max: 360
Points
fill_color color
Fill color.
color.categorical_palette colors
Palette.
color.categorical_extend boolean
Extend. Automatically generate additional colours when needed to avoid the palette colours being used more than once
color.categorical_custom_palette text
Custom overrides. Enter the label name for which you wish to set the color, followed by a colon and the desired color value.
Colors can be set using Hex, RGB, color names or RGBA, if you want to set the opacity. Multiple colors can be set using multiple lines. For example:
Party 1: red
Party 2: #4455AA
Party 3: rgb(30,168,26)
color.numeric_type string
Scale type. Allowed values:
color.binning boolean
In linear mode, the color scale will run as a smooth gradient between 2 colors. In binned mode, the gradient will be divided in smaller blocks. Allowed values:
color.bin_mode string
Binning mode. Allowed values:
color.bin_count number
Number of bins.
color.bin_thresholds string
Custom thresholds. Enter your desired thresholds, separating them with a ";". For instance, "5;10;15".
Bins form as follows:
For "5;10;15", you'll get four bins based on your data's range.
color.sequential_palette string
Palette. Allowed values:
color.sequential_reverse boolean
Reverse.
color.sequential_custom_min color
Minimum color.
color.sequential_custom_max color
Maximum color.
color.sequential_color_space string
Color space. Allowed values:
color.sequential_custom_domain boolean
Domain. Allowed values:
color.sequential_domain_min number
Min.
color.sequential_domain_max number
Max.
color.diverging_palette string
Palette. Allowed values:
color.diverging_reverse boolean
Reverse.
color.diverging_custom_min color
Minimum color.
color.diverging_custom_mid color
Midpoint color.
color.diverging_custom_max color
Maximum color.
color.diverging_color_space string
Color space. Allowed values:
color.diverging_custom_domain boolean
Domain. Allowed values:
color.diverging_domain_min number
Min.
color.diverging_domain_mid number
Mid.
color.diverging_domain_max number
Max.
node_scale_pack boolean
Pack points to fit radial layout. Scale points relatively to fit tightly around the perimiter of the radial layout, without leaving space between points. If enabled this option overrides other point sizing options in this section.
constant_node_radius number
Radius. The radius of your points (in px)
min_node_radius number
Minimum radius. Any smaller circles will be scaled up to the specified level. (Ignored if greater than the “Maximum radius” setting.)
max_node_radius number
Maximum radius. The maximum radius of your points (in px) Min: 1
point_opacity number
Opacity (default). How opaque the default state of the points in your network should be Max: 1
fade_opacity number
Opacity (unhighlighted). When a point is emphasized, how opaque the rest of the network should be Max: 1
image_opacity number
Image opacity. How opaque the images in your points should be Max: 1
node_stroke_width number
Width. Max: 5
node_stroke_color color
Color. When not set, stroke color is same as background color
node_highlight_stroke_color color
Color (highlighted). When not set, stroke color is same as background color
points_advanced boolean
Advanced point settings.
node_scale_type string
Scale points relative to:. Allowed values:
max_node_value number
Value. Values bigger than this maximum will have a radius equal to the maximum radius
auto_scale boolean
Scale points down when not enough space. Allowed values:
max_fullness number
Max total point area. What percent of the space can the points fill before they are scaled down.
Labels
label_size number
Size. Max: 1.5
label_weight string
Weight. Allowed values:
label_color_mode string
Color mode. Allowed values:
label_color color
Color.
label_show string
Show. When to show node labels. If set to "Auto" behavior is dynamic depending on chart type and available space. Allowed values:
Links
link_color color
Color. When not set, uses same color as main text
link_opacity number
Opacity. How opaque the links between your points should be Max: 1
constant_link_width number
Width.
min_link_width number
Minimum width. Any smaller links will be scaled up to the specified level. (Ignored if greater than the “Maximum width” setting.) Max: 50
max_link_width number
Maximum width. Min: 1 Max: 50
max_link_value number
Value. Values bigger than this maximum will have a width equal to the maximum width
links_advanced boolean
Advanced link settings.
directional boolean
Show arrows on links.
link_scale_type string
Scale links relative to:. Allowed values:
link_highlight_color color
Color (highlighted). When not set, uses same color as main text
link_highlight_opacity number
Opacity (highlighted). Max: 1
Popups
popup.show_popups boolean
Popups. Allowed values:
popup.is_custom boolean
Popup contents. Allowed values:
popup.custom_template text
Popup content. The text to appear in the popup. You can use {{column_name}} to add a value from your data. It must be in a selected column, but you can add columns to “Metadata” if you just want to include them for use in the popup. Advanced users can include HTML to apply layouts, formatting, images, etc.
popup.show_pointer boolean
Pointer.
popup.show_shadow boolean
Shadow.
popup.style_popups boolean
Custom styling.
popup.text_color color
Text colour.
popup.align string
Alignment. Allowed values:
popup.text_size number
Font size. Max: 10
popup.fill_color color
Fill colour.
popup.opacity number
Fill opacity. Max: 1
popup.padding number
Padding. Max: 10
popup.border_radius number
Radius. Corner radius of popup
popup.max_width number
Max width. Max: 50
popup_opacity number
Popup opacity on overlap. When the popup is overlapping other points and links, the opacity of the popup will change so most of the chart is still visible.
Legend
legend_categorical.show_legend boolean
Allowed values:
- true (Enabled)
- false (Disabled)
legend_categorical.title_mode string
Title mode. Allowed values:
legend_categorical.title string
Title.
legend_categorical.swatch_width number
Width.
legend_categorical.swatch_height number
Height.
legend_categorical.swatch_radius number
Roundness. The radius of the corners of the swatch (in pixels)
legend_categorical.legend_items_padding number
Padding. Padding between legend items (in rems)
legend_categorical.swatch_outline boolean
Outline. An optional outline for the swatch in the legend
legend_categorical.swatch_outline_color color
Color.
legend_categorical.order_override text
Custom order override. Manually specify the order of legend entries (one entry per line)
legend_categorical.icon_height number
Height. Height of icon (in rems)
legend_categorical.icon_color color
Color. Fallback color (icon color if not determined by template)
legend_categorical.max_width number
Max width.
legend_categorical.orientation string
Orientation. Allowed values:
legend_position string
Position. Allowed values:
legend_container.alignment string
Alignment. Allowed values:
legend_container.orientation string
Orientation. Allowed values:
legend_container.title_weight string
Title weight. Allowed values:
legend_container.text_weight string
Text weight. Allowed values:
legend_container.text_color color
Color.
legend_container.text_size number
Size. Max: 10
legend_interaction string
When clicking a legend item. Allowed values:
Animations
animate_simulation boolean
Animate network simulation. Display the initial animation of the network
simulation_speed number
Animation speed. The speed of the initial animation (in ms) Min: 1 Max: 10
animate_transition boolean
Animate layout transitions. Enable or disable layout transitions
transition_scale number
Transition duration. The duration multiplier for transition animations Max: 2
Advanced
many_body_strength number
Repulsion between points. How strongly the points repulse each others. Known as “many-body force”. Measured in arbitrary units. Max: 50
collision_strength number
Collision-force strength. How strongly the points push away from each other when colliding. In arbitrary units. Max: 10
Number formatting
localization.input_decimal_separator string
Decimal separator in data sheet. Used for interpreting your data. Only change if data is not displaying on the chart as expected. Allowed values:
localization.output_separators string
Number format to display. How the numbers should appear on chart labels Allowed values:
Layout
layout.body_font font
Main font. This font will apply to the whole graphic by default. You can optionally change the font for the title, subtitle, footer, etc in the Header and Footer settings panels.
layout.font_color color
Text color. This color will apply to the whole graphic by default, You can optionally change the color for individual text elements, in other settings panels.
layout.background_color_enabled boolean
Color. Allowed values:
layout.background_image_enabled boolean
Image. Allowed values:
layout.background_color color
Background color.
layout.background_image_src url
Image URL.
layout.background_image_size string
Size. Allowed values:
layout.background_image_position string
Position. Allowed values:
layout.max_width_target string
Maximum width. Apply a maximum width to just the main graphic or everything (main graphic plus header, footer, etc). Allowed values:
layout.max_width number
Maximum width. Leave blank to stretch to container width Min: 50
layout.max_width_align string
Align. Allowed values:
layout.layout_order string
Layout order. Allowed values:
layout.space_between_sections string
Space between sections. Allowed values:
layout.space_between_sections_custom number
Custom. Max: 100
layout.margin_top number
Top.
layout.margin_right number
Right.
layout.margin_bottom number
Bottom.
layout.margin_left number
Left.
layout.border.enabled boolean
Show borders around visualisation.
layout.border.top.width number
Top.
layout.border.top.style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.border.top.color color
Color.
layout.border.right.width number
Right.
layout.border.right.style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.border.right.color color
Color.
layout.border.bottom.width number
Bottom.
layout.border.bottom.style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.border.bottom.color color
Color.
layout.border.left.width number
Left.
layout.border.left.style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.border.left.color color
Color.
layout.read_direction string
Read direction. This will change the reading direction of the main text elements on the page. It's not possible to adjust this on all elements, such as axes. Allowed values:
Note that when direction is set to right to left any alignment icons will be reversed.
layout.font_size_mobile_small number
layout.font_size_mobile_big number
layout.font_size_tablet number
layout.font_size_desktop number
layout.font_size_big_screen number
layout.breakpoint_mobile_small number
layout.breakpoint_mobile_big number
layout.breakpoint_tablet number
layout.breakpoint_desktop number
layout.breakpoint_big_screen number
Header
layout.header_align string
Alignment. Allowed values:
layout.title html
layout.title_styling boolean
Styling.
layout.title_font font
Title Font.
layout.title_size string
Size. Allowed values:
layout.title_size_custom number
Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in rems. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3
layout.title_weight string
Weight. Allowed values:
layout.title_color color
Color.
layout.title_line_height number
Line height. Max: 3
layout.title_space_above string
Space above. Allowed values:
layout.title_space_above_custom number
Custom. Max: 100
layout.subtitle html
layout.subtitle_styling boolean
Styling.
layout.subtitle_font font
Subtitle Font.
layout.subtitle_size string
Size. Allowed values:
layout.subtitle_size_custom number
Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in rems. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3
layout.subtitle_weight string
Weight. Allowed values:
layout.subtitle_color color
Color.
layout.subtitle_line_height number
Line height. Max: 3
layout.subtitle_space_above string
Space above. Allowed values:
layout.subtitle_space_above_custom number
Custom. Max: 100
layout.header_text html
layout.header_text_styling boolean
Styling.
layout.header_text_size string
Size. Allowed values:
layout.header_text_size_custom number
Custom. Specify a custom responsive font size in rems. The best results will be with values between 1.2 and 3
layout.header_text_weight string
Weight. Allowed values:
layout.header_text_color color
Color.
layout.header_text_line_height number
Line height. Max: 3
layout.header_text_space_above string
Space above. Allowed values:
layout.header_text_space_above_custom number
Custom. Max: 100
layout.header_border string
Allowed values:
- top (Top)
- bottom (Bottom)
- top_and_bottom (Top & bottom)
- none (None)
layout.header_border_width number
Width.
layout.header_border_color color
Color.
layout.header_border_style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.header_border_space number
Space. Space between border and header text
layout.header_logo_enabled boolean
Allowed values:
- true (Enabled)
- false (Disabled)
layout.header_logo_src url
Image.
layout.header_logo_alt string
Alt text.
layout.header_logo_link_url string
Link.
layout.header_logo_height number
Height.
layout.header_logo_align string
Align. Align logo inside either the header or the main visualization container Allowed values:
layout.header_logo_position_inside string
Position. Allowed values:
layout.header_logo_position_outside string
Position. Allowed values:
layout.header_logo_margin_top number
Top.
layout.header_logo_margin_right number
Right.
layout.header_logo_margin_bottom number
Bottom.
layout.header_logo_margin_left number
Left.
Footer
layout.footer_align string
Alignment. Allowed values:
layout.footer_text_size number
Size.
layout.footer_text_color color
Color.
layout.footer_styling boolean
Advanced footer styles.
layout.footer_font font
Font.
layout.footer_text_weight string
Weight. Allowed values:
layout.source_name string
Source name.
layout.source_url string
Source url.
layout.multiple_sources boolean
Multiple sources.
layout.source_name_2 string
Source name.
layout.source_url_2 string
Source url.
layout.source_name_3 string
Source name.
layout.source_url_3 string
Source url.
layout.source_label string
Source label.
layout.footer_note html
Note.
layout.footer_note_secondary html
Note (secondary). The secondary note is placed below the source and primary note
layout.footer_logo_enabled boolean
Image. Allowed values:
layout.footer_logo_src url
Image.
layout.footer_logo_src_light hidden
Image (light version). If provided this version will be used whenever the background color is dark
layout.footer_logo_alt string
Alt text.
layout.footer_logo_link_url string
Link.
layout.footer_logo_height number
Height.
layout.footer_logo_margin number
Margin.
layout.footer_logo_order string
Position. Allowed values:
layout.footer_align_vertical string
V. align. Allowed values:
layout.footer_border string
Allowed values:
- top (Top)
- bottom (Bottom)
- top_and_bottom (Top & bottom)
- none (None)
layout.footer_border_width number
Width.
layout.footer_border_color color
Color.
layout.footer_border_style string
Style. Allowed values:
layout.footer_border_space number
Space. Space between border and footer text
Accessibility
layout.screenreader_text_primary text
Screenreader description. A text alternative to the visual content that will only be visible to screenreaders, e.g. “The line chart shows China consistently higher than the other countries since 1990”.
Do not replicate your title, since that will also be read by screenreaders.
layout.screenreader_label string
Screenreader label. A short text label given to the main Flourish embed wrapper to provide an accessible name that is only visible to screenreaders. Added in the form of an "aria-label".
layout.screenreader_hide_primary boolean
Screenreader mode for main visual container. Whether the main visual container is visible to screenreaders. (Text in the header and footer are always available to screenreaders.) Allowed values:
