Following the popular request, I added an option to import and export OPML files to OutlineEdit.
The latest release also includes a refined user interface design, created to match the feel and finish of OS X Yosemite, as well as dozens of little tweaks.

And there is one more thing: The app is 50% off the regular price for the next 7 days. Has there been a better chance to try a new outliner?

As always: let me know your thoughts.

Best regards,

Robin

How about a URL? Windows version?

Just visit http://outlineedit.com ;)

As of today I will not rule out the possibility of a version for windows - but an adaption for other Apple platforms is a lot more likely.

That's an irresistible offer. I'm on board.

Steve Z.

On a Mac, OutlineEdit is the closest thing you'll get to Workflowy, but actually has some advantages.

The rich-text features are pretty much identical to Workflowy.

The checkbox concept is well executed - checkboxes appear in the right-hand margin, and are relatively unobtrusive.

It's easy to move items up and down the list by dragging and dropping.

It's got a great set of statistical tracking functions, including the number of layers, number of characters, number of words and how long you've been editing the file.

You can set OutlineEdit to float on top of other app windows (very useful, especially if you're using it as a quick and unobtrusive to-do list). You can also set it to dock right or left, and there are other positioning options too.

You can have multiple files/windows open (unlike Workflowy's one-file-only approach).

It's maturing into a very nice app. I find I'm using it more and more (even in preference to my beloved Tree!) The convenience of the floating-on-top function cannot be overstated.

Finally, it still has a modest footprint (important when you've only got 4GB of RAM in your MacBook, and you use DEVONthink as your go-to knowledge management engine!).

It looks great. Would love to have an Android v

I broke down and purchased a copy of OutlineEdit. And I'm glad I did. I've written a brief review at my blog:

http://welcometosherwood.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/outlineedit-is-on-sale-this-week-a-brief-review/

Mostly, you'll see, I agree with MadAboutDana. Perhaps the major item we differ on is that I'm not so thrilled with the implementation of checkboxes. Ideally, an outliner should allow for selectively applying the checkboxes to individual topics. This matters to me because a checkbox is indicates that something needs action. My outlines are rarely composed entirely of tasks. I want to quickly scan my outline to see which items need my attention. If all of the items have checkboxes beside them, then I have to read each individually to see whether or not the item is indeed requiring action.

I would also like to see a hoisting function.

But that being said, OutlineEdit is a handy, intuitive outlining app.

Steve Z.

Stephen Zeoli wrote:

Ideally, an outliner should allow for selectively applying
the checkboxes to individual topics.

What would be even more ideal if it would be possible to have a choice between a **strict** implementation and a **loose** implementation of checkboxes within the same software.

The loose one is the one you describe above, which leaves it to the user to decide which item to add a checkbox to, and the checkboxed items can be ticked independently from each other (e.g. as it is in CT).

The strict one assigns a checkbox to every outline item automatically and all sub-tasks need to be completed before a parent task be declared complete (e.g. as it is in Bonsai).

Perhaps even some other permutations are possible. At the moment I don't know of a software that can do both of the above.

Dr Andus wrote:

What would be even more ideal if it would be possible to have a choice
between a **strict** implementation and a **loose** implementation of
checkboxes within the same software.

At the moment I don't
know of a software that can do both of the above.

Correction: Bonsai can 'almost' do both. In "Preferences > Calculated" it is possible to turn on or off "Calculate parent values form children > Completion status." So one can either tick boxes in a **strict** manner, or a **loose** manner. However, it's not possible to selectively assign checkboxes to items (as you can in CT's Outliner). You either have all items with checkboxes or none.

I bought OutlineEdit yesterday. It seems very handy but It would be nice to move topics with keyboard shortcuts. Now, one can drag and drop but no shortcut (like in Tree). Or did I miss something?

I agree with Steve that hoisting (which I've mentioned before) and on/off checkboxes would be the two most desirable new features.

Keyboard shortcuts are always useful, too.

But OutlineEdit has already come a long way, and Robin appears to be open to suggestions. Which is great!

Nice review, incidentally, Steve!

Thank you, M.A.D.

MadaboutDana wrote:

Nice review, incidentally, Steve!

I agree and the shortcuts should be easy and intuitive key-combos like CTRL-arrow up, down, right, left.

Bernhard wrote:

I bought OutlineEdit yesterday. It seems very handy but It would be nice
to move topics with keyboard shortcuts. Now, one can drag and drop but
no shortcut (like in Tree). Or did I miss something?

There are different improvements regarding shortcuts in the pipeline. Most importantly: yes, a dedicated shortcut for moving items is already implemented an will ship in the near future with the next free update.
Let me know the changes to shortcut access you would like to see. I always listen closely to user feedback.

And: hoisting is definitely on the roadmap. Which hoisting behavior do you prefer and why?

Robin

Stephen Zeoli wrote:

I agree and the shortcuts should be easy and intuitive key-combos like
CTRL-arrow up, down, right, left.

Bernhard wrote:
I bought OutlineEdit yesterday. It seems very handy but It would be nice
>to move topics with keyboard shortcuts. Now, one can drag and drop but
>no shortcut (like in Tree). Or did I miss something?

Hi, Robin,

Nice to hear about the improvements to navigation with keyboard shortcuts.

Hoisting, in my view, is the ability to select any topic and choose to view only it and its sub-topics. (Some developers call this focus view.) This is particularly useful in large outlines.

Thank you for your responsiveness.

Steve Z.

After Robin's latest updates, I'd just like to say another positive thing or two about OutlineEdit. What a nice app! How well it plays with others!

Robin's latest change also means that you can switch checkboxes on and off for specific lists. I know there are those who'd like to switch them on/off for individual branches (a nice idea), but Robin's approach is a very sensible compromise. I've taken to keeping OutlineEdit on one side of my screen, so I can jot down quick 'n' dirty to-dos or other notes.

There are still a few things that would make it perfect. Hoisting is definitely one of them. An option to change font sizes would also be good. It would also be nice to be able to change font colours. Speaking of which, it would also be good to be able to edit category colours directly, too, rather than taking pot luck. And maybe a direct link to Workflowy, too, so you could swiftly export/import outlines from one to the other (given that you don't have an iOS app yet, Robin).

But now I'm getting really finicky... ;-)

Very pleasing is the fact that OutlineEdit has a very small memory footprint, despite the recent additions. Keep up the good work!

Oh, and just one other, tiny thing. It would be nice to be able to switch off the bullets at the start of every item. I'm one of those people (and I suspect others here are similar) who prefers the ultra-simple look, i.e. no nasty bullets making lists all complicated and spiky! Nevertheless, I appreciate there are others who probably love bullet points, and would prefer to keep them. So an on/off option would be perfect!

After all, we have rich text and categories if we want to make something stand out! Not to mention your (quite unique) guide showing which level of indentation items are on.