# Mensural notation and Mensurstrich
## Adding a mensural time signature to your score
To apply mensural signs to a score you need to add a conventional time signature first, then modify its display by substituting with the appropriate mensural symbol in the Time signature properties dialog. Note that these signs are for show only; it is not possible to modify the duration ratio between different note values, and the actual underlying time signature remains unchanged.
## Using mensural note symbols
\[To be added]
* add from symbols palette, hide
## Working with non-metered music
Early music, such as renaissance choral music, may be written without barlines or a time signature. This can be achieved in MuseScore as follows:
1. Set up the instruments or voices of the score in the usual way (See Setting up your score);
2. Hide the time signature;
3. in `Format`→`Style`→`Score`, check the box titled "Display note values across measure boundaries";
4. Right-click on a measure in the top staff and select Staff/Part properties;
5. Uncheck "Show barlines"; repeat this for each applicable staff (see note);
6. Click `OK`.
**Note**: In step 4 you can make the barlines invisible instead by selecting all and pressing `V`.
Note that the score still behaves as if measures are present. Measure properties can be applied if required.
## Working with Mensurstrich
*Mensurstrich* is a form of modern notation of early music in which barlines are drawn *between* staves rather than across them:
### Adding barlines between staves
1. Right click on the bottom staff of the intended *mensurstrich* system, and select Staff/Part properties. Uncheck "Show barlines".
2. Select the first (not the start!) barline for *each* of the remaining staves;
3. Check the "Span to next staff" box in the **Barline** section of the **Properties** panel;
4. Adjust "Span from" to set the position of the top of each barline;
5. Press `Set as staff default`;
## Displaying note values across measure boundaries
1. From the menu bar, select `Format`→`Style`→`Score`;
2. Check "Display note values across measure boundaries".
## See also
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