The Document Window
The various parts of an OmniOutliner document window, starting at the top of the window and working down towards the bottom:
Toolbar - The toolbar at the top of an outline window contains buttons for the commands you'd like to access without needing to remember what menu the command is under. It contains a default set of buttons, but it can be customized to suit your tastes; when you choose Customize Toolbar... from the View menu, a sheet will open containing buttons and other items you can add by dragging them into the toolbar. While the customization sheet is open, you can rearrange items on the toolbar by dragging them on, or remove items by dragging them off. If you prefer, you can hide the toolbar entirely by clicking the small white Show/Hide Toolbar Button on the right side of the window's title bar.
Outline Pane - The outline pane begins just below the toolbar, and extends down to the splitter bar. The outline pane contains all the rows and columns of your outline, as well as the column title bar.
Column Title Bar - Each column can optionally have a title; this title appears in the space just above the first item in the outline. Assign a column a title (or change an existing column) by double-clicking the bar. If you examine the column title bar, you'll also see a thin vertical line dividing one column from the next (i.e. dividing the notes column from the adjacent content column). If you hover the mouse over the divider, you'll see the cursor change to a double-ended arrow; click and drag left or right and you can resize the column.
Multiple Columns - Every OmniOutliner document starts two columns, but you can use extra columns to keep track of more information. For a to-do list you can add a column to record the completion date. You can add columns that are checkboxes, dates, durations, numbers, or text (styled or plain). You could even define a list of your coworkers, then create a column that acts as a pop-up list, allowing you to quickly track which tasks you've assigned to which people.
Row Handles - Each row you create in your outline will have a "handle"; a bullet (•) or triangle by which the item may be dragged around your outline. If the handle is a triangle, you can click it to show or hide that row's children.
Numbering - When you're creating your outlines, you have the option of setting a numbering scheme that will automatically be applied to new items that you create. If you've done so, the line numbering will appear just to the right of the item's handle; the label will not be editable, but as you drag items around your outline, the labels will automatically update to reflect any reorganizing you may do.
Gutter - The gutter is in the same column as the item's handle (the "Handle Column"). It is the space between the handle and the left edge of the column. Click the gutter to select an item; click and drag to select several rows at once.
Smart Checkboxes - Setting the state of a checkbox changes all of the item's children to that state. Checkboxes can be in a mixed state to indicate that some but not all if its children are checked. The handle column always has status checkboxes associated with it; if you don't need them, they can be hidden by choosing Hide Status Checkboxes from the View menu.
Splitter Bar - The bar below the outline pane and above the notes pane; drag it up or down to change the portion of the window devoted to each of the two panes, or double-click it to completely minimize the notes pane.
Notes Pane - The notes pane appears at the bottom of the outline window. You can type into the note pane to attach additional text to the item that will not appear in the body of the outline. Any notes attached to the selected item will appear in the notes pane, and a small icon will appear in the note pane of the item currently selected in the outline pane.
Related Topics
Table Of Contents: Getting Started
Terminology
What Is An Outliner?
Using OmniOutliner
Saving & Printing Your Outlines