Markdown outline: definition and example
A Markdown outline is an outline written in Markdown, using headings or indented list items so that each line becomes a topic under the line above it.
What it means
Markdown is a way to write structure in plain text. A line starting with “#” is a heading, and a line starting with “-” is a list item. Indent a list item by two spaces to nest it. Because it is plain text, any editor can open it.
When to use it
Use it to draft a map quickly by typing, to paste in notes from elsewhere, or to keep a text version of a map that diff tools and note apps can read.
How it differs from nearby terms
OPML is a structured file for outlines. A Markdown outline is easier to type and read, but fewer details are standard. Like OPML it holds the topics and levels, not the map’s look.
In MindmapPal
The Markdown to mind map tool turns an outline into a map, and the mind map to Markdown tool does the reverse. See the conversion guide.
Example
A file starts with "# Trip to Lisbon", has "## Flights" and "## Food", and under Food lists "- Pastel de nata" and "- Seafood". Opened as a map, the heading is the centre.
Related terms
- Outline: An outline is a list of items arranged in levels, with each indented item belonging to the item above it, so the whole reads from top to bottom.
- OPML: OPML is an XML-based file format for outlines, used by many outliners, feed readers and mind map tools to exchange nested lists of text.
- Mind map: A mind map is a diagram that puts one idea in the centre and arranges related ideas around it as branches, with the details of each branch nested under it.
- .xmind file: An .xmind file is a mind map document saved in the format of the XMind app, holding the topics, structure, styling and notes of one or more sheets.
See it in a template
Meeting notes mind map template