# Indented List to ASCII Tree

Convert a 2-space / 4-space / Tab indented hierarchical list (Markdown bullets, -, *, 1. prefixes optional) into a copyable ASCII directory tree. Two styles: Unicode box-drawing (├──└──│) for GitHub/Discord and classic ASCII (|--\--|) for plain text. Toggles for full guide lines, trailing spaces, and bracketed leaf nodes like docs/[api.md].

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/ascii-tree-from-indented-list

- **Category:** Text Processing

- **Keywords:** ascii tree, directory tree, indent list, folder tree, markdown to tree, unicode box drawing, file tree, readme tree, project structure, copyable tree

## Overview

Turn a plain indented outline into a clean, copy-pasteable directory tree — the kind you see at the top of a well-written README.

**How it works.** Paste any hierarchical list that uses 2-space, 4-space or Tab indentation. Markdown bullet prefixes (`-`, `*`, `+`, `1.`) are optional and stripped automatically; blank lines are ignored. The parser auto-detects the most common indent unit, or you can force one. The result is rendered with proper tree connectors.

**Two output styles.**
- **Unicode Box Drawing** (`├── └── │`) — the modern default, looks great on GitHub, Discord, VS Code and most terminals.
- **Classic ASCII** (`|-- `-- |`) — no Unicode at all, safe for plain-text emails, old terminals, and ANSI-only environments.

**Three difficulty toggles.**
- *Full guide lines* — draw the vertical `│` line all the way down so parents line up visually; turn off for a more compact tree.
- *Bracket leaf nodes* — wrap files in `[]`, e.g. `docs/[api.md]`, the convention used by `tree` and many docs.
- *Trim trailing spaces* — strips the spaces left behind after the last connector, for cleaner diffs and smaller pastes.

**Why use this instead of the `tree` CLI.** `tree` only works on real folders on your disk. This tool works on *any* indented text — an outline, a brainstorm, a Markdown spec, a Notion export — and lets you pick the exact style without leaving the browser.

## Inputs

- **Indented List** (textarea): src index.ts tools json-formatter.ts qr-code-generator.ts package.json
- **Style** (select)
- **Indent Unit** (select)
- **Draw full guide lines** (checkbox)
- **Bracket leaf nodes** (checkbox)
- **Trim trailing spaces** (checkbox)

## When to use

- When documenting a project's folder structure in a GitHub README or technical documentation.
- When sharing a hierarchical directory layout or sitemap in plain-text emails, Discord messages, or markdown files.
- When you need to visualize a folder structure from a text-based outline without running terminal commands on a local disk.

## How it works

- Paste your indented list or Markdown outline into the input area, using spaces or tabs to define hierarchy levels.
- Select your preferred output style, choosing between modern Unicode box-drawing characters or classic ASCII symbols.
- Configure optional settings such as drawing full guide lines, wrapping leaf nodes in brackets, or trimming trailing spaces.
- Copy the instantly generated directory tree directly to your clipboard for use in your files.

## Use cases

- Generating a visual directory tree for a software project's README.md file.
- Creating a clean sitemap visualization for website planning documentation.
- Sharing nested category structures or organizational charts in plain-text communication channels.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need to remove Markdown bullet points before pasting?

No, the tool automatically strips common prefixes like dashes, asterisks, plus signs, and numbered list markers.

### What is the difference between Unicode and Classic ASCII styles?

Unicode uses box-drawing characters (├──, └──, │) for a modern look, while Classic ASCII uses standard keyboard characters (|--, `--, |) for compatibility with older terminals.

### Can the tool auto-detect my indentation size?

Yes, the default setting automatically detects whether you used 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs for indentation.

### What does the 'Bracket leaf nodes' option do?

It wraps the final file names (leaf nodes) in square brackets, which is a common convention in some documentation formats.

### Does this tool access my local file system?

No, this tool runs entirely in your browser and only processes the text list you paste into it.

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## Samples

- [Markdown Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/markdown-samples): Markdown format examples from simple to complex document structures
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- [PDF Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/pdf-samples): Generated PDF samples from tools dated 2026-02-01 to 2026-02-10
- [Test Pyramid Examples - Testing Strategy Guide](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/test-pyramid-examples): Comprehensive test pyramid implementation examples including unit tests, integration tests, E2E tests, test organization, and strategic testing patterns for balanced software quality assurance

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