> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md).
# Master palette
## Overview
The **Master Palette** window can be used to,
* [Edit and compose custom Palettes](#editing-and-composing-custom-palette),
* [Create new Time Signatures or Key Signatures](#creating-new-time-signatures-or-key-signatures), and
* [Add (rare) text and symbol to a score](#adding-an-item-to-the-score-directly) directly.
To open this window, either,
* Press Shift+F9 (Mac: fn+Shift+F9), or
* From the menu, select **View → Master Palette**.
To open the **Symbols** category directly, press Z, which is the "Show symbol palette" [keyboard shortcut](/3/advanced-topics/preferences.md#shortcuts).
## Editing and composing custom palette
*Not to be confused with editing **toolbar** . See* [*Viewing and navigation: Toolbars*](/3/basics/viewing-and-navigation.md#toolbars) *chapter.*
See the [Palettes : Customize palettes](/3/basics/palettes.md#customize-palette-contents) chapter.
## Creating new Time Signatures or Key Signatures
See the [Time Signatures](/3/notation/time-signatures.md#create-a-time-signature) and the [Key Signatures](/3/notation/key-signatures.md#custom-key-signatures) chapters.
## Adding an item to the score directly
\\
[Notation items](/3/notation/notation-types.md) inside the Master Palette under **Symbols** category can be added to the score freely, either as a [new **Symbol type** item](#add-symbols-category-item-as-symbol-type), or as a [new character inside an existing score **Text**](#add-symbols-category-item-as-character). To search for a specific symbol, use the **font drop down list** on the bottom right of the box to specify Emmentaler-, Gonville- or Bravura-specific symbols. Then enter keywords in the **search box** at the top.
Those under other categories *must* be [added onto a compatible score item](#add-from-categories-other-than-symbols). For example, items under **Tremolo** category cannot be added onto a rest.
Position the mouse cursor over any item on the right pane to show a descriptive popup tooltip.
### Add from categories other than Symbols
* Drag a Master Palette item and drop on score/frame/measure/staff/note/rest, or
* Select a score item and click a Master Palette item.
### Add Symbols category item as Symbol type
* Drag a Master Palette item and drop on any score item, or
* Select a score item and click a Master Palette item.
The new **Symbol type** item has a pre-determined, unadjustable size but scales with the score master scaling. See the [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) chapter.
### Add Symbols category item as character
1. Double click a [Text](/3/text/text-types.md) on the score to enter [Text editing](/3/text/text-editing.md) mode.
2. Click a Master Palette item.
3. Optionally assign custom font size and other font settings.
Alternatively, [use the Special Characters window](/3/text/text-editing.md).
### Connecting multiple Symbol type to move together
Items can be connected to each other,
1. Add a symbol to the score.
2. Add a second symbol onto the first symbol. Adjust position of the second one as required.
3. Adjusting the position of the *first* element now moves the second attached element.
## See also
* [Notation types](/3/notation/notation-types.md)
* [Fonts](/3/advanced-topics/fonts.md)
* [Palettes](/3/basics/palettes.md)
* [Workspaces](/3/basics/workspaces.md)
* [Symbols and special characters](/3/text/text-editing.md#symbols-and-special-characters) (add musical symbols to text objects)
## External links
[Discussion on symbol usage](https://musescore.org/en/node/104266)
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