Repository navigation
[Bug] Outline/ToC no longer available in sidebar? #5833
Description
Description
I just installed v.23.0 (linux) updating from (I think!) v.21, and was startled to find that the outline was no longer available in the sidebar, but only as a "flyout" (if that is the correct term).
This is a disappointing change in behaviour. I searched as best I could to see if there was now a setting to put the outline/ToC in the sidebar (revealed with CTRL-J, but if it is there, I failed to find it.
I do mostly long-form writing in Marktext, and much prefer to keep the outline available in the sidebar as I write.
Can this behaviour be restored, at least as a setting (e.g. [ ] Include ToC in Sidebar or the like).
Steps to Reproduce
- Open markdown file with various
h2,h3, etc. headings/structure. CTRL-Jonly shows files;CTRL-Kdoes nothing.- ToC only available as "mouse-over/hover" from the three-lines icon in the upper left.
Expected Behavior
I want to be able to see the outline persistently. I cannot (in a way I can figure out) in v.23.0
Actual Behavior
ToC/Outline only available as a "flyout" on hover.
Screenshots / Logs
No response
Operating System
Linux (AppImage)
MarkText Version
23.0
OS Version
Linux Mint LMDE 7
Reproducibility
- I can reliably reproduce this issue
Activity
Jocs commentedon Oct 21, 2026
The Table of Contents (TOC) has been moved from the sidebar to the left side of the editor.
You can show or hide it using the menu, a keyboard shortcut, or the toggle button.
When there isn't enough space on the left side of the editor, the TOC will appear as a floating panel. You can adjust the editor width to keep it from appearing as a floating panel.
Jocs commentedon Oct 21, 2026
I think this is more convenient than before? as you can now display both the file tree and the table of contents at the same time, or choose to show only one of them.
dajare commentedon Oct 21, 2026
Thanks for the swift reply. This may be more convenient if only I can work out how to make the ToC "persistent", instead of just the "fly out" - I cannot find the toggle or setting to do this. Can you point me in the right direction?
(As I say,
CTRL-Kwhich I though might do this does not appear to do anything.)Jocs commentedon Oct 21, 2026
dajare commentedon Oct 21, 2026
That is exactly what I'm after, but cannot get (in v.23.0, I used to get this before in v21). Here are a couple screenshots to illustrate; I'm sure my window is wide enough:
What I see:
And the only way I can get the ToC/Outline is with a mouse-over:
Where is the setting to put the ToC in the Sidebar? I would be very happy to know! Thanks!
Jocs commentedon Oct 21, 2026
Let me explain how the current layout works.
It's actually a two-column layout: Sidebar + Editor. The Table of Contents (TOC) is placed in the space to the left of the editor's content.
There's an algorithm that determines whether there's enough space to display the TOC. If there's sufficient space, the TOC stays visible on the left. Otherwise, it appears as a floating panel.
We previously considered another approach: a three-column layout (Sidebar + TOC + Editor), which would ensure that the TOC is always visible.
For now, could you try adjusting the editor width in the settings to leave some room for the TOC?
dajare commentedon Oct 21, 2026
That was very helpful — I set the
Editor > max-widthto 50%, and I was able to do this:So yes, it's working!
:))But see all the "white space" to the right, so it seems that space is being "lost" somehow. If ICTRl-Jto open the sidebar, the ToC collapses. If I setmax-widthto 60%, the ToC collapses.This is potentially convenient, but it feels to me like space is "lost" or wasted? Another potential solution would be to have both File and ToC in the same sidebar, with a vertical toggle. VS Code, or VS Codium, which I use for other purposes, does this nicely:
(Outline is on the left, and can be toggled open or closed.)
But thank you for your patient help and explanations. Marktext is my Number 1 markdown editor (I'm an "academic" and do almost all my writing in Marktext: I love the way it handles footnotes!
<3), and I hope the ToC/Outline display can be further refined.Jocs commentedon Oct 21, 2026
I'm also thinking about how best to display the TOC and gathering more feedback. I really appreciate your input!
SiriusSeven commentedon Oct 21, 2026
建议增加设置项，允许将目录放在右侧，这样可以同时使用侧边栏-编辑区-目录，并且编辑区可以居中。Onenote以及不少其他的markdown编辑器都有这样的布局，希望开发者考虑一下。谢谢。