This view is similar to many file browsers and email programs (which can be thought of as three-pane outliners). The drawback is that since only one node's worth of text is shown at one time and navigation has the additional step of crossing panes, the structure is more rigid, making editing across nodes more difficult. Since the structure is always clearly shown at all times separately from content, this format allows for a quick overview of the structure, and easy navigation. A tree structure with node titles is presented in one pane, and the text is shown in another.

Ī two-pane outliner separates structure from content-the structure is extrinsic to the text. Some word processors, such as Microsoft Word, have an Outline Mode to help with structuring documents. The drawback is that, because the structure is not always visible, there is not as strong an overview of the whole or ability to quickly navigate between sections as with a two-pane outliner. One of the strengths of one-pane outliners is that, because the text itself is what is structured and because several nodes of text are visible at once, it is easy to edit across sections. Everything is displayed within a single area, hence the term one pane. There are two basic types of outliners: one-pane or intrinsic, and two-pane or extrinsic, each with its strengths and weaknesses.Ī one-pane outliner is known as an intrinsic outliner because the text itself is organized into an outline format-individual sections (such as paragraphs) of text can be collapsed or expanded, while keeping others in view. File import and export: Both the content and structure of outlines are conveyed when files are imported or exported (e.g., from and to tab-indented files).Ĭomposing a Wikipedia article in OmniOutliner.Search: The tool retrieves all items that contain the query terms plus the ancestors (parent, grandparent.) that give them context.De-hoisting again reveals the full outline. Hoisting an item hides all parent and sibling items thereby focusing, or zooming in, on a particular branch.

Displaying selected levels (e.g., show all 1st and 2nd level items, but none deeper).

Applying styles by outline level (e.g., bold all 1st level items).

Viewing: The tool enables the user to affect the display by level.

Every item entry must be within one level of its predecessor, such that each item must be a sibling or child of the preceding item (thus, no item can be a grandchild of the preceding item).

Promoting, demoting, copying, or deleting a parent has the same effect on the children.

Editing: Sound parent-child relationships are enforced when the user modifies the document structure.

The principal attribute of outline editors is that they support or enforce the use of a hierarchy.

Mac outliner