> 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/text/text-types.md).
# Text types
## Overview
This chapter describes **Musescore Text**, a [type of score object](/3/notation/notation-types.md) that contains individual characters that can be entered and removed by using (typing on) a computer keyboard. Some items are text in common sense, but are not Musescore Text - the **tr** "short" trill ornament marking shown below is [Articulations type](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments.md) rather than a Musescore Text subtype, similar misunderstanding often occurs on [Time signatures](/3/notation/time-signatures.md) etc.
Chapters immediately after this one, such as [Text editing mode](/3/text/text-editing.md), explains features that are only applicable to Musescore Text.
The following chart summaries Musescore Text subtypes. Type or subtype of a single selected score item is displayed on the status bar.
The *Features column* suggest the most irreplacable features. Leaving out does not imply lack of feature. See their dedicated chapters for musical information. The wording "playback" used below refers to in-program audio created by [Synthesizer](/3/sound-and-playback/synthesizer.md).
The *Anchor column* shows item each type *always* anchor to. Functionalities based heavily on anchor include notably playback, [Selecting and copying elements](/3/basics/selecting-elements.md) and [Musescore Part](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md). Item selected when adding a new item does not neccessary become its anchor. For example, adding a **System text** requires user to select a note or rest. Definitions of layout terms like system are in the [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) chapter.
* Item anchored to a staff is displayed in the [Musescore Part](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md) that features the staff. Item anchored to a time position is displayed in all.
* Item anchored to a staff is hidden along with "Hide empty staves within systems" option and the sub-option "Don't hide empty staves in first system" under **Format → Style → Score**. See the [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) chapter.
* Item anchored to a time position is positioned above the top staff of the system. Also, it is not copied with *Range selection*.
* Item anchored to a note or a rest is removed when the user updates or removes the item it anchors to.
These types are explored immediately after this chapter.
| Type | Features | Anchor |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Staff Text | One of the options to change playback sound samples usage. Playback capo transposition. See the [Staff Text and System Text](/3/text/staff-text-and-system-text.md) and chapter. One of the options for general engraving purpose. Compare and contrast with **System Text**'s [anchoring](#text-anchors). See also **Frame text / text block** below. | A note or a rest on a staff. |
| System Text | Similar function to **Staff Text**, see above. | A time position. |
| Chord notations | Automatic format. **Chord symbol** and **Nashville number** have playback and can generate notes. **Roman Numeral** cannot. See the [Chord notation systems](/3/text/chord-notation-systems.md) chapter. | A note or a rest on a staff. |
| Fingering | Has its own "Text Style" profile. See the [Fingering](/3/text/fingering.md) and the [Text styles and properties](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md) chapters. | A note on a staff. *Cannot anchor or be copied to a rest.* |
| Lyrics | Improved alignment. **Ctrl+V** keyboard shortcut breaks up words stored in clipboard, paste and then jump to next anchor conveniently. Automatically adjusts layout of melisma entered. See the [Lyrics](/3/text/lyrics.md) chapter. | A note on a staff. *Cannot be copied to a rest*, can anchor deliberately but not advisable. |
| Rehearsal mark | The boxed B1 item in the *Text Palette*. Seek with **Ctrl+F**. Can be re-sequenced across the score. See the [Rehearsal marks](/3/text/rehearsal-marks.md) chapter. | A time position. |
These types are explored in their respective chapters inside the handbook. *Text Palette* usage see the [Palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) chapter.
| Type | Features | Anchor |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Expression* button on the *Text Palette* | A styled **Staff Text**. Has its own "Text Style" profile. No playback. See the [Text styles and properties](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md) chapter. | See **Staff Text**. |
| Tempo marking | Changes playback - tempo and metronome (tick sound). See the [Tempo](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md) chapter. | A time position. |
| Dynamics marking | Such as **p**, **mf**. Changes playback loudness. See the [Dynamics](/3/sound-and-playback/dynamics.md) chapter. Hairpin offers similar function. See the [Hairpins](/3/notation/hairpins.md) chapter. | A note or a rest on a staff. |
| The **pizz.** button etc on the *Text Palette* | A pre-configured **Staff Text**. One of the options to changes playback sound samples usage. Also known as Articulation *Text* (not to be confused with [Articulations type](/3/notation/articulations-and-ornaments.md) which is not Musescore Text). See the [Mid-staff sound (channel) change text](/3/sound-and-playback/mixer.md#mid-staff-sound-channel-change-pizz-con-sordino-etc) chapter. | See **Staff Text**. |
| Instrument change (text) | Switches Musescore Instrument starting from the point, which can affect notation drastically. One of the options to change playback sound samples usage. Also known as (mid-staff) instrument change, or Instrument type. See the [Mid-staff instrument changes](/3/sound-and-playback/mid-staff-instrument-changes.md) and the [Instruments, staff setup and templates](/3/basics/instruments.md) chapters. | A note or a rest on a staff. |
| Instrument names (Long and short name) | Displayed to the left each system (a [layout](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) concept). See the [Staff / Part properties](/3/advanced-topics/staff--part-properties.md) chapter. | Each system automatically. |
| Figured bass | Extended formatting settings. No playback. See the [Figured bass](/3/advanced-topics/figured-bass.md) chapter. | A note on a staff. *Cannot be copied to a rest*, can anchor deliberately but not advisable. |
| Frame text / text block (Title, Subtitle, Composer, Lyricist, and Text (text block type)) | One of the options for general engraving purpose. Usually added to *the start of a score*. Suitable for songsheet, lyrics sheet etc. See the [Frames](/3/formatting/frames.md) chapter. | A frame. Frame anchors to time position. |
| Headers and Footers | Automatically *on every page*. Suitable for page numbers, copyright info etc. Also for displaying digital data, or tags, stored on the score file. See the [Score properties](/3/advanced-topics/score-properties.md#headerfooter) chapter. | Each page automatically. |
| Repeats and jumps | Such as Coda, Fine etc. Affects playback. See the [Repeats and jumps](/3/notation/repeats-and-jumps.md) chapter. | A time position (measure boundary). |
| Sticking | Has its own "Text Style" profile. See the [Percussion:Sticking](/3/notation/entering-and-editing-percussion-notation.md#sticking) chapter. | A note on a staff. *Cannot be copied to a rest*, can anchor deliberately but not advisable. |
| The **Swing** button on the *Text Palette* | A pre-configured **System Text**. Apply swing to playback. See the [Swing text](/3/sound-and-playback/swing.md) chapter. | See **System Text**. |
| Text Lines including hairpins, *cresc---*, voltas, ottavas, pedal lines, guitar barre lines etc. | Affects playback - loudness, ring duration, note pitch etc. See [Musescore Lines](/3/notation/lines.md) and respective chapters. | Varies, adjustable. |
| Measure numbers | Automatic creation. Hiding. Skipping. See [Layout and formatting: measure numbers](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md#measure-numbers), and [Measure operations: measure number](/3/basics/measure-operations.md#measure-number-mode) chapters. | Measures automatically. |
## See also
* [Musescore Lines](/3/notation/lines.md) - Musescore Line object can be configured to show pieces of text, some customization methods applicable to Musescore Text can be applied to them.
* [Notation types](/3/notation/notation-types.md)
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