> 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/measure-operations.md). # Measure operations This chapter covers adding, removing, [splitting and joining](#split-and-join) measures etc, in addition to the **Measure properties** dialog which is used to adjust *individual* measure—such as visibility, duration, numbering and width ("Stretch"). The [Measure](/3/formatting/measure-and-horizontal-spacing.md) chapter outline related formattings. Adding and removing measures in effect insert or remove *segment of time, affecting all instruments and staffs*. Score items associated with that segment are removed along with it, while rest symbols are added automatically whereever necessary. To ensure that [inserted](#insert) or [appended](#append) measures display correctly, [multimeasure rests](/3/notation/measure-rests.md#to-display-multimeasure-rests) should be set to off (toggle M). ## Select ### Single measure * To [select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) a single measure, click on a space within the measure. ### Range of measures * To select a continuous range of measures, see [Shift + click selection](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#select-measure-range) and [Shift selection](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md#shift-selection). ## Insert ### Insert an empty measure into the score * [Select](#select) a measure or a frame, then press Ins (Mac: Shift+I); or * Select a measure or a frame, then choose from the menu: **Add -> Measures -> Insert Measure**. ### Insert multiple measures * [Select](#select) a measure or a frame, then press Ctrl+Ins (Mac: Shift+Del+I); fill in the "Number of measures to insert" field and press **OK**; or * Select a measure or a frame, then choose from the menu: **Add -> Measures -> Insert Measures...**; fill in the "Number of measures to insert" field and press **OK**. ## Append ### Append an empty measure to the end of a score Use one of the following options: * Press Ctrl+B (Mac: Cmd+B). * Select from the menu: **Add -> Measures -> Append One Measure**. ### Append multiple measures to the end of a score Use one of the following options: * Press Alt+Shift+B; fill in the "Number of measures to append" field and press **OK**. * Select from the menu: **Add -> Measures -> Append Measures...**; fill in the "Number of measures to append" field and press **OK**. ## Remove ### Remove a single measure 1. [Select](#single-measure) the measure 2. Press Ctrl+Del (Mac: Cmd+Del). ### Remove a range of measures 1. [Select](#range-of-measures) a range of measures; 2. Press Ctrl+Del (Mac: Cmd+Del). ### Remove empty trailing measures To automatically remove any blank measures from the end of the score: * From the menu, select **Tools -> Remove empty trailing measures**. ## Delete measure contents To delete *only* the measure contents (and not the measure itself): 1. [Select](#range-of-measures) one or more measures; 2. Press Del. ## The "Measure Properties" window
Dialog: Measure Properties
To open this window, right-click an empty part of the measure and select **Measure Properties...**. Modification are not applied until the user presses the **Apply** button. Use the left and right arrow buttons at the bottom left to navigate to a neighbouring measure. Under Staves, * **Visible**: Show staff lines. * **Stemless**: Hide all note stems. Under Measure duration, * **Nominal** The [Time signatures](/3/notation/time-signatures.md) displayed when appropiate. * **Actual** The real timespan allowed to accomodate notes and rests. Under Other, * **Exclude from measure count**: Exclude from counting. Used in e.g. a pickup measure. * **Break multimeasure rests**: Prevent a [multimeasure rest](/3/notation/measure-rests.md) at the start of the selected measure. Edit this property *prior to* turning on **Format → Style → Score → Create multimeasure rests** if needed. * **Measure number mode**: Whether and how measure numbers are displayed. See also the [Layout and format : Measure Numbers](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#measure-numbers) chapter. * **Auto**: Follows the setting in **Format → Style → Measure Numbers**. * **Always Show**: Forces display of number. * **Always Hide**: Hides number. * **Layout stretch**: Controls the amount of horizontal space between score elements (notes, rests, etc.): See [Increase/Decrease Stretch](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#change-layout-stretch) ({ and }). * **Add to measure number"**: Enter a positive or negative number to change the number of the selected measure, and subsequent meaures. A value of "-1" has the same effect as marking a measure to be excluded from measure count. * **Play count**: If a measure precedes an end repeat barline, this value controls the number of times that the entire repeat section plays back. See the [Repeats and jumps](/3/notation/repeats-and-jumps.md) chapter. ## Creating a pickup measure or anacrusis Adjust **Nominal** and **Actual** [settings](#the-measure-properties-window) to create **pickup measure** (also known as *anacrusis* or *upbeat*), **cadenza**, **ad lib** section etc. In the image below, the quarter note *pickup measure* has a *nominal* time signature of 4/4, but an *actual* time sig. of 1/4. The measures in the middle are in normal 4/4 time. The complementary measure at the end of the staff, with a dotted half note, has an *actual* time sig. of 3/4.
Incomplete measures
A small - or + sign above the measure indicates its duration is different than indicated by the time signature (see image below). They can be turned off with [**View menu**](/3/basics/viewing-and-navigation.md#view-menu) **\&arr; Mark Irregular Measures**. The markers do not appear in printed copies.
Irregular measures
## Vertical alignment See [Barlines:Vertical alignment](/3/notation/barlines.md#vertical-alignment) ## Numbering See the [Layout and format : Measure Numbers](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#measure-numbers) chapter. ## Split and join *Functions under **Tools → Measure** are disabled if the score contains* [*Musescore Parts*](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md)*.* Split measures and join measures commands change **Actual** [properties](#the-measure-properties-window) to adjust measure duration. They do not affect [Time signature](/3/notation/time-signatures.md) on the score, but [beam grouping setting](/3/notation/beams.md) may be reset. ### Join measures 1. [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) measure(s) on the score; 2. Select **Tools → Measure → Join Selected Measures**. Alternatively, join *two neighbouring measures* by selecting the barline in between and either (1) press Ctrl+Del (Mac: Cmd+Del) ; or (2) press V to make the barline [invisible in printed copies](/3/basics/inspector.md#element) (the barline still takes space). ### Split a measure Choose one of the following methods: * [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) a note; then hold Ctrl and click a barline in a [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) (double-click in versions prior to 3.4); * Hold Ctrl and drag a barline (from a palette) to the note that starts the next measure; or * [Select](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) a note and press **Tools → Measure → Split Measure Before Selected Note/Rest**. ## See also * [Barlines](/3/notation/barlines.md) * [Measure](/3/formatting/measure-and-horizontal-spacing.md) (Layout and formatting style) * [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) * [Breaks and spacers](/3/formatting/breaks-and-spacers.md) ## External links * [How to span a measure over multiple systems](https://musescore.org/en/node/8540) (MuseScore HowTo, 1.x) * [How to split a measure](https://musescore.org/en/node/23280) (MuseScore HowTo, 1.x) * [How to delete measures](https://musescore.org/en/node/20240) (MuseScore HowTo) * [How to get scores without time signature (and clef)](https://musescore.org/en/node/24449) (MuseScore HowTo) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://handbook.musescore.org/3/basics/measure-operations.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.