Changing the distance between bar numbers and the staff/other objects

You can change the minimum distance between bar numbers and the staff, and set a separate value for the distance between bar numbers and other objects, in each layout independently. For example, you can position bar numbers further from the staff/other objects in full score layouts than in part layouts.

Procedure

  1. Press Ctrl/Cmd-Shift-L to open Layout Options.
  2. In the Layouts list, select the layouts in which you want to change the minimum distance of bar numbers from the staff.

    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.

  3. In the category list, click Bar Numbers.
  4. In the Placement subsection, change the values for the following options, individually or together:

    • Minimum distance from staff

    • Minimum distance from other objects

  5. Activate/Deactivate Align bar numbers across width of system.
  6. Activate/Deactivate Avoid collisions.
  7. Click Apply, then Close.

Result

Increasing the values positions bar numbers further away from the staff and/or other objects, either above or below the staff depending on your setting for Placement relative to staff. Decreasing the values positions bar numbers closer to the staff and/or other objects.

When Align bar numbers across width of system is activated, bar numbers automatically vertically align within systems, with their position determined by the bar number furthest from the staff.

When Avoid collisions is deactivated, bar numbers do not automatically avoid collisions with other items, and are instead positioned using the minimum distance values you set. This allows bar numbers to appear directly above/below the staff, regardless of the pitch of notes or presence of other notations, such as ties and slurs.

Note

  • Bar numbers can be positioned further from the staff than your minimum distance values when Avoid collisions is activated.

  • If you want bar numbers within systems to appear closer to the staff than bar numbers at the start of systems, such as in part layouts with treble clefs, we recommend deactivating Align bar numbers across width of system. You can change the minimum gaps between bar numbers and clefs shown at the start of systems on the Bar Numbers page in Engraving Options.