Compact layout: displays info on one line w/status circles on the left [Edit: Now available in 2.3! OmniFocus Preferences ▸ Layout ▸ Custom Columns]

OmniFocus OmniFocus for Mac
#36

This is great, pleased with this. Be great to have a list of these hidden gems.

#37

thanks for the spacebar tip, I don’t use shortcuts much so was annoyed to find the circle doesn’t click, but hooray for the spacebar

#38

Trying this out, I’m excited to reclaim my screen real estate!

#39

Continuing the discussion from Alternate layout which displays everything on one line with status circles on the left:

Shocked to find this as well. Just installed OmniFocus 2 and upgraded to Pro version. Enabled the high data density layout (pretty fantastic) but unable to click the circle is quite… bad.

Also, shouldn’t clicking on the parent item cause the entire task+subtasks to be highlighted?

#40

I’ve made a small mockup of what I envisioned, in regards to my question about ‘Also, shouldn’t clicking on the parent item cause the entire task+subtasks to be highlighted?’.

How do we feel about the checkboxes on the right?
#41

That’s a great example of why the high data density layout is a hidden preference, not listed in the main Preferences interface. It’s a very rough proof of concept, untested by our internal Test team, just to show you a glimpse of what we maybe think we might be able to do soon.

3 Likes
How do we feel about the checkboxes on the right?
#42

Please remember the high density layout is an early work-in-progress. Ken’s original post mentioned how they were not satisfied with the check circle and there would be more work on this style before it was exposed as a feature.

I’m lovin’ it, by the way.

2 Likes
#43

You actually can click the circle, but only if you click the bottom right corner of it. It’s actually almost outside the circle, but it is clickable:

1 Like
#44

Ken –
Finding your post stopped me in mid-curse :-) while testing the released OF2. As I’ve posted before, I just don’t get the move away from high data density and it’s prevented me from upgrading. But I commend you for working to come up with alternative layouts.

My other major complaint has been the color palette of the circles (not enough contrast between the colors for my eyes) and that, of course, is exacerbated in the new alternate 1-line layout. That said, the colored box with the date on the right for due and overdue items helps with this. I would vote for more customization of fonts and colors, as has been discussed by others. Not to the extent of OO, but it seems Mac-like (and Omni-like) to offer users the ability to make one of your apps “their own” so that there is a minimum of them having to adjust to someone else’s view of how things should be colored, sized, etc. (within reason, of course).

Thanks for the continuing good work!

#45

My comment isn’t in reference towards your whole post, but just to the assertion that it is ‘Mac-like’ for heavy customisation to happen (OmniGroup, on the other hand, has a different approach) – that might be wrong.

See:

  • Debate between iOS and Android, in terms of customisability.
  • The apparent ‘dumbing down’ of OS X (in light of features being ‘ported’ over from iOS).
  • Decreasing level of user-serviceable parts for Mac hardware.
#46

Yes, more contrast will be helpful. I like either of the views in v2, but I find it hard to differentiate between the individual tasks. The line between this is not dark enough.

1 Like
#47

I think we really need more contrast in the tool, or go back to giving us control of the colors and themes (including a more readable font).

1 Like
#48

The alternate layout is amazing. Now I’m actually enjoying and using the new version.

2 Likes
#49

I like the compact layout more, but had to switch back as for some reason I couldn’t actually complete actions this morning in the compact mode. Restarted OF, finally moved to the original layout and was able to complete.

#50

You can’t click the circles, but the space bar works for completing items.

#51

You can always do a right click on the task and choose “complete”, it’s rapid and more easier with the compact layout for the moment.

I’ve noticed that the circle goes a little bit darker when it’s good to mark as complete… but you need good eyes when the task is already selected.

#52

I like both.
The option to alternate between checkbox location without an app restart would be nice.

Options are always nice.

Offtopic: The version with the circles on the right make me wonder if the collapse/expand needs to be in a right click contextual menu and/or in the menu bar. How does collapsing get handled on a tablet or phone?

#53

Good start. Now make the window fit in 720px width and I might just consider upgrading. Currently it does not, and that wrecks the way I’ve used OO + OF side-by-side on my 1440x900 laptop for years, so that’s a deal breaker for me.

#54

Thank you!!! Even in this early state, it’s a great improvement over the 2 line view. If I hadn’t seen this thread (thanks Sharad!), I’m not sure I’d have upgraded. Off to find my credit card.

#55

Spacebar marks an item as compete. That should help till they fix the checkmark bug.