Table of Contents
Notation reference
Barlines
Barlines are vertical lines that cross staves in order to show how music is divided into bars, according to the time signature. The most commonly used barline is the single barline between adjacent bars, but there are different types, such as double or repeat barlines.
Barlines across staff groups
In order to make it easier to find a particular instrument within a score, barlines can extend across instrumental and staff groups.
Changing the default barline joins
You can change whether barline joins automatically extend across staff groups that are joined by a bracket or brace, or break between each instrument, in each layout independently.

Changing the default barline joins

You can change whether barline joins automatically extend across staff groups that are joined by a bracket or brace, or break between each instrument, in each layout independently.

Procedure

Press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-L to open Layout Options.
In the Layouts list, select the layouts in which you want to change the default barline joins.

By default, the layout currently open in the music area is selected when you open the dialog. You can select other layouts by using the selection options in the action bar, clicking and dragging across multiple layouts, Shift-clicking adjacent layouts, and Ctrl/Cmd-clicking individual layouts.
In the category list, click Brackets and Braces.
In the Bracketing section, choose one of the following options for Barline joins:
- Follow primary brackets
- Separate at each instrument
Click Apply, then Close.