> 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/basics/create-a-new-score.md).
# Create a new score
To create a new score, open the **New Score Wizard** (see [Create new score](#create-new-score) below): this can also be accessed via the [Start Center](#start-center).
## Start Center
This is the window that is displayed when you open MuseScore for the very first time:
To open the Start Center (if not already visible), use any of the following options:
* Press F4.
* From the menu bar, select **File -> Start Center...**
To stop the Start Center from showing up when you open MuseScore:
* From the menu bar, select **Edit -> Preferences...** (Mac: **MuseScore -> Preferences...**) and uncheck "Show start center" in the Program Start section of the General tab.
From the Start Center you can:
* [Create a new score](#create-new-score) (by clicking on the icon with the plus sign).
* View thumbnails of previously-opened scores: click on a thumbnail to open it.
* Open a score from your computer's file system: click on **Open a score ...**
* Open the "**Getting Started**" tutorial score. Use the arrow buttons in the right-hand pane to access the link.
* Search sheet music on [musecore.com](https://musescore.com/).
* Access various other facilities (see right-hand pane).
## Create new score
To open the **New Score Wizard** when the Start Center is not open, use one of the following options:
* Click on the New Score icon in the toolbar on the top left of the window;
* Use keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Mac: Cmd+N);
* From the menu, select **File -> New\...**.
This opens a step-by-step wizard:
1. [Enter score information](#enter-score-information)
2. [Choose template file](#choose-template-file)
3. [Choose instruments (or voice parts)](#choose-instruments-or-voice-parts)
4. [Choose key signature (and tempo)](#choose-key-signature-and-tempo)
5. [Choose time signature, tempo, pickup measure, and number of measures](#choose-time-signature-tempo-pickup-measure-and-number-of-measures)
## Enter score information
\ \_Step 1: Enter score information.\_
Enter the title, composer or any other information as shown above, then click on **Next >**. This step is optional: you can also add this information after the score has been created (see [Vertical frame](/3/formatting/frames.md#vertical-frame)).
## Choose template file
\ \_Step 2: Choose template file.\_
In the left column is a list of **pre-defined** solo, ensemble and orchestral templates, divided into categories according to musical styles, and **custom** template.
To choose a **pre-defined** score template:
1 Browse or use the **Search bar** (top left) to find specific templates.\
2 Click a score template name to select it.\
3 Click either: **Next >** (or just double-click the score template name in the previous step), or **Finish**.
To choose a **custom** score template:
* Choose an option under the "**Custom Templates**" category. This category is hidden if there is no custom templates on this machine. In Musescore 3, the preview window shows what the template file looks like when opened as a score, it is **not** the preview of what a new score looks like when created from this template.
To add individual staffs (Musescore instruments):
* On the left, select **"Choose Instruments"** option under the **"General"** category, then click **Next >**; or just double-click the option
* Follow instructions in [Instruments, staff setup and templates](/3/basics/instruments.md) chapter.
## Choose instruments (or voice parts)
* In the ["Choose template file" window](#choose-template-file), on the left, select **"Choose Instruments"** option under the **"General"** category, then click **Next >**; or just double-click the option
* Follow instructions in [Instruments, staff setup and templates](/3/basics/instruments.md) chapter.
## Choose key signature (and tempo)
\ \_Step 3: Choose key signature (and tempo).\_
* Select the desired key signature, then click **Next >** to continue. Prior to version 3.5, you can also set the tempo here.
## Choose time signature, tempo, pickup measure, and number of measures
\ \_Step 4: Choose time signature etc.\_
Here, you can set:
* The initial **time signature**.
* A [pickup measure](/3/appendix/glossary.md#pickup-measure) (*anacrusis* or *upbeat* measure), and its duration.
* The initial number of measures in the score (the default is 32, but you can [add/remove measures](/3/basics/measure-operations.md) from the score edit window).
* Tempo (prior to version 3.5, this is set on the [Choose key signature (and tempo)](#choose-key-signature-and-tempo) page instead).
Click **Finish** to end the wizard and create your new score.
## Adjustments to score after creation
All settings you have made when you create a new score can be changed afterwards, browse the handbook, some relevant chapters:
* [Score properties](/3/advanced-topics/score-properties.md)
* [Create a pickup measure](/3/basics/measure-operations.md#duration).
* [Insert, Append, Delete measures](/3/basics/measure-operations.md).
* [Key signature](/3/notation/key-signatures.md)
* [Time signature](/3/notation/time-signatures.md)
* [Clef](/3/notation/clefs.md)
* [Tempo](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md)
* [Add text](/3/text/text-basics.md#adding-a-text).
* [Edit text](/3/text/text-editing.md).
## Change instrument and staff setup
* See [Instruments, staff setup and templates](/3/basics/instruments.md).
## Adjust score layout and formatting
* See [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md).
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