> 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/formatting/frames.md).
# Frames
A **Frame** is a rectangular container for empty space, text or pictures in the score. It can be one of three types:
* [Horizontal](#horizontal-frame): Used to create a break in a particular system. Can contain one or more text objects and/or images.
* [Vertical](#vertical-frame): Inserted above a system or appended to the last system. Can contain one or more text objects and/or images.
* [Text](#text-frame): Inserted above a system or appended to the last system. Can contain one text object only.
## Horizontal frame
A **horizontal frame** is used to create a break in a system. For example, you can:
* Create a coda, with an adjustable gap separating it from the rest of the score (as in the example below).\\
* Create an offset at the beginning of the score, where there is no staff name to perform the same function.
* Create an adjustable right margin at the end of a system.
* Create space for some text or image(s).
* Create a space between a 'historical incipit' and the beginning of the modern edition.
### Insert/append horizontal frame
See [Create a Frame](#create-a-frame) (below).
### Adjust width of horizontal frame
Use one of the following methods:
* Click (double-click prior to version 3.4) the frame and drag the handle to the right or left.
* Select the frame and adjust "Width" in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md).
### Add text or image to horizontal frame
* **To add text**: Right-click on the frame and select **Add -> Text**.
* **To add an image**: Right-click on the frame and select **Add -> Picture**.
## Vertical frame
A **vertical frame** can be inserted above a system or appended to the last system. It can contain one or more text objects and/or images. The height is adjustable and the width equals the system width.
It can be used, for example, to:
* Create an area at the head of a score for Title/Subtitle/Composer/Lyricist text etc. (see [below](#add-text-or-image-to-vertical-frame)).
* Create a title page (see [below](#external-links)).
* Add single- or multi-column lyric text (at the end of a score).
* Create subtitles and other annotations between systems.
### Insert/append vertical frame
See [Create a Frame](#create-a-frame) (below).
### Adjust height of vertical frame
Use one of the following methods:
* Click (double-click prior to version 3.4) the frame and drag the handle up or down.
* Select the frame and adjust "Height" in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md).
### Edit vertical frame properties
Selecting the frame allows you to adjust various parameters in the Inspector:
**Top Gap**: Adjusts distance between frame and element above.\
**Bottom Gap**: Adjusts distance between frame and element below.\
**Height**: Adjusts height of the frame.\
**Left Margin**: Moves left-aligned text objects to the right.\
**Right Margin**: Moves right-aligned text objects to the left.\
**Top margin**: Moves top-aligned text objects downwards (see also **Format -> Style... ->** [**Page**](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#page)).\
**Bottom Margin**: Moves bottom-aligned text objects upwards (see also **Format -> Style... ->** [**Page**](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#page)).
### Add text or image to vertical frame
* **To add text**: Right-click on the frame, select **Add**, and choose one of the text options.
* **To add an image**: Right-click on the frame and select **Add -> Picture**.
You can create as many objects as you like within a frame. Their positions can be adjusted independently by dragging or, more accurately, by altering the offset values in the Inspector. To format text objects, see [Text editing](/3/text/text-editing.md) and [Text styles and properties](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md).
### Insert horizontal frame in vertical frame
* Right-click on the frame and select **Add -> Insert Horizontal Frame**.
The [horizontal frame](#horizontal-frame) is automatically *left-aligned* and fills the entire vertical frame. To *right-align* it:
1. Reduce the [width](#adjust-width-of-horizontal-frame) of the horizontal frame.
2. Deselect the frame then drag it to the right. To restore left-alignment, drag the frame to the left.
### "Title" frame
A vertical frame is automatically created at the beginning of a score, showing the title, subtitle, composer, lyricist etc., when you fill in the information fields provided on page 1 of the [New Score Wizard](/3/basics/create-a-new-score.md#enter-score-information).
If the score does not have a vertical frame at the beginning, you can create one as follows:
1. From the menu, select **Add -> Text -> Title/Subtitle/Composer/Lyricist**;
2. Type the desired text;
3. Press Esc, or click on an empty space, to exit.
## Text frame
A **Text frame** looks like a [vertical frame](#vertical-frame), but is specialized for text input: *one* text object is allowed per frame. The height automatically expands to fit the content and there is no height adjustment handle.
A text frame can be used, for example, to:
* Create lyric text at the end of a score.
* Create subtitles and other annotations between systems.
* Create and insert an empty \[blank] page anywhere in the score, including at the beginning.
### Insert/ append text frame
See [Create a Frame](#create-a-frame) (below).
### Edit text frame properties
Selecting the frame allows you to adjust various parameters in the Inspector:
**Top Gap**: Adjusts distance between frame and element above.\
**Bottom Gap**: Adjusts distance between frame and element below.\
**Height**: Not applicable to text frames.\
**Left Margin**: Moves left-aligned text objects to the right.\
**Right Margin**: Moves right-aligned text objects to the left.\
**Top margin**: Moves top-aligned text objects downwards.\
**Bottom Margin**: Moves bottom-aligned text upwards.
## Create a frame
### Insert a frame into the score
**From the menu**:
1. [Select](/3/basics/measure-operations.md#select) a measure;
2. From the menu select **Add -> Frames -> Insert Horizontal/Vertical/Text Frame**.
**From a measure**:
1. Right-click on a measure;
2. Select **Add -> Insert Horizontal/Vertical/Text Frame**.
**From a palette**:
See [Apply symbols from a palette](/3/basics/palettes.md#apply-symbols-from-a-palette).
### Append a frame to the score
* From the menu select **Add -> Frames -> Append Horizontal/Vertical/Text Frame**.
## Delete a frame
Use one of the following:
* Select the frame boundary and press Del.
* Select the frame boundary, then right-click on the frame and select **Delete**.
## Apply a break
System, page or section [breaks](/3/formatting/breaks-and-spacers.md) can be applied to frames as well as measures. Use one of two methods:
* Select a frame and click (double-click prior to version 3.4) a [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) break symbol (for example, in the Breaks & Spacers palette).
* Drag a break symbol from a palette onto a frame.
## See also
* [Text Properties](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md#text-style-or-style-for-text-inside-type-of-object): to put a visual frame (border) around text.
* [Insert measures](/3/basics/measure-operations.md#insert): to insert measures before a frame.
## External links
* [How to add a block of text to a score](https://musescore.org/en/node/24475) (MuseScore HowTo)
* [How to create a blank or title page at the beginning of a score](https://musescore.org/en/node/313078)
* [Page Formatting in MuseScore 1.1 - 1. Frames, Text & Line Breaks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITkD5EHPz3Y) \[video]
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