what is an outliner

An outliner is a type of software tool or program that helps individuals organize and structure their thoughts, ideas, projects, or documents. It allows users to create hierarchical lists or outlines, where main topics or ideas can be further subdivided into subtopics or sub-ideas.

Outliners typically provide various features that assist in organizing information, such as the ability to collapse or expand different levels of the outline, rearrange or reorganize items, add notes or comments, attach files or links, and easily navigate within the outline. They are often used for brainstorming, outlining writing projects, planning events or tasks, managing complex projects, and organizing research materials.

Additionally, some outliners offer collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same outline simultaneously and share updates in real-time. Outliners can be standalone programs or integrated into other productivity tools, such as word processors, note-taking applications, or project management software.