CNET Editors' review
OmniOutliner is a popular, long-lived tool for building and organizing informational outlines--whether you're taking notes for a class, building out a complex project spec, or anywhere in between. OmniOutliner can help you create rich, multi-column, collapsible outlines in almost any style or format, with support for embedded notes, images, links, and more. Novices will have an easy time getting started with this flexible app's well-designed interface, but there's also plenty of room for power users to learn and exploit OmniOutliner's more heavy-duty features, including batch searching and support for AppleScript.
Given the abundance of competitive "mind-mapping" apps out there, some may find OmniOutliner's price tag a little steep--so definitely check out the generous educational discount if you qualify for it. The standard version provides plenty of muscle for most users, but hardcore outliners should try out OmniOutliner Pro for additional features like audio capture, dynamic HTML export, and support for third-party plug-ins.
Publisher's Description
From The Omni Group:
Welcome to OmniOutliner, an amazingly flexible program for creating, collecting, and organizing information. Give your creativity a kick start by using an application that's actually designed to help you think. It's like having an extra brain - one that doesn't keep losing the car keys. You can use OmniOutliner's document structure to create hierarchies of main headings and subpoints that can be expanded and collapsed, which are immensely useful when it comes to brainstorming new ideas, drilling out specifics, and lining up steps needed to get everything done. But you aren't limited to outlines - you've got multiple columns, smart checkboxes, customizable popup lists, and an ber-innovative styles system at your disposal. Use OmniOutliner to draft to-do lists, create agendas, manage tasks, track expenses, take notes, plan events, write screenplays and just about anything else you can think of. It's a smarter way to write, a more productive way to stay organized. Whatever your project, OmniOutliner has the tools you need to get the job done.
What's new in this version:
- Software Update will now prompt for an administrator password when installing into a protected folder. Does not apply to Mac App Store editions.
- Software Update is now able to handle paid upgrades properly (i.e. it's now ready for OmniOutliner 4). Does not apply to Mac App Store editions.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 98 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
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"works great"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.10.4
Pros
does what it needs to do, simple and effective
Cons
none I couldn't live without
Summary
keep up great programs
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"Great outliner with attachments, subtotals, formatting"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.9.5
Pros
toss anything into the outline, you're good!
any number of columns with labels and data types
aggregation functions track running subtotals
"drill-in" or "focus" like omnifocus
works almost like a spreadsheet
extensive control of outline formattingCons
for a task manager, you may want OmniFocus instead
no easy way to pivot or regroup on alternate columns
default styles not the prettiest
may trick user into distorting non-tree data into an outline structureSummary
OmniOutliner is a terrific tool. I have used it for years. The ability to drag, drop, cut, paste anything is great.
It often feels like a spreadsheet with really useful grouping.
Very useful for exploring task breakdowns with rollups
whoa, nice ability to format! -
"Not interested"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.9.5
Pros
Not interested
Cons
Not interested
-
"Not cheap, but worth the price"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
OmniOutliner, at $40, isn't cheap. But it's well worth the investment - it's a great companion to a word processor, and I use it for all sorts of lists. I've never found another tool like it, so it was a no-brainer to pony up. -
"Yes, I agree . . ."
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
OmniOutliner's columns provide an additional dimension the notebook apps lackâ??the resulting matrices provide a way of organizing & displaying information an order of magnitude superior to those that lack columns or tables. Still waiting for integration with OmniGraffle tho. -
"Amazing!"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
The people at Omni really deserve every star there is. This new version of OmniOutliner reeks of quality and beauty. Another work of art (just look at OmniWeb if you don't know what I mean!) -
"Whoa"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Omni Outliner was a simple nifty little tool. Now with ability to attach files and multiple way to organise your notes, it's awsome. Created by those guys who realy understand the Mac. Way to go OmniGroup! -
"Whoa"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Omni Outliner was a simple nifty little tool. Now with ability to attach files and multiple way to organise your notes, it's awsome. Created by those guys who realy understand the Mac. Way to go OmniGroup! -
"Outstanding"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Wow what a huge improvement to a great app.
I'm going to wait for OmniOutliner 3 Pro though. It will cost more but I'm a deluxe kind of guy.
Hope they release it soon. -
"They did it again"
Version: OmniOutliner 3.0 beta 4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
It blows everything else out of water. The new user interface is very nicely done and full of so many little details. Good job OmniGroup.

















