Moving the start/end of systems

You can change the horizontal start/end position of each system individually; for example, if you want to indent a single system or increase the gap before an individual coda section.

Note
  • If you want to increase the space before staff labels, you can change the minimum indent for systems with staff labels.

  • If you want to change the end position of systems because they do not fill the entire width of the page, you can change the minimum fullness for horizontal justification.

  • If you want to change the width of all systems on a page by the same amount, you can change the width of the music frame.

Prerequisite

Note Spacing Note Spacing button is selected in the Engrave toolbox.

Procedure

  1. In Engrave mode, select the system handle at the start/end of each system whose start/end position you want to change.
    Figure 1. System handle at the start of a system
    Figure 2. System handle at the end of a system
  2. Move the handles in any of the following ways:
    • To move them a standard amount to the right or left, press Alt/Opt plus the corresponding arrow key. For example, press Alt/Opt-Left Arrow to move handles to the left.

    • To move them a large amount, press Ctrl/Cmd plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • To move them a moderate amount, press Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Shift-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    • To move them a small amount, press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift plus the standard key command; for example, Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-Alt/Opt-Left Arrow.

    Note

    You cannot move note spacing handles with the mouse, you can only move them using the keyboard.

Result

The start/end position of the selected systems is changed. Notes on the selected systems appear more/less tightly spaced, depending on whether moving the system handles made their system narrower or wider.

Dorico Pro automatically inserts system breaks at the start of the moved and subsequent systems.