Outline views

Best practices

Use a table instead of an outline view to present data that’s not hierarchical.

Expose data hierarchy in the first column only.

Use descriptive column headings to provide context.

Consider letting people click column headings to sort an outline view.

Let people resize columns.

Make it easy for people to expand or collapse nested containers.

Retain people’s expansion choices.

Consider using alternating row colors in multi-column outline views.

Let people edit data if it makes sense in your app.

Consider using a centered ellipsis to truncate cell text instead of clipping it.

Consider offering a search field to help people find values quickly in a lengthy outline view.


For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/outline-views

Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc. This page is a structured index of Apple’s canonical documentation (snapshot 2025-02-02), provided for quick reference and AI-agent consumption — it isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Apple. Read the original at developer.apple.com (opens in new tab).

Get HIG guidance in your AI

Install HIG Doctor and get expert Apple design guidance directly in Claude Code.

npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor
Email updates aren't configured on this deployment yet. Follow the GitHub repo (opens in new tab) for updates.