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Document Options-Staves dialog box

How to get there

Choose Document > Document Options and select Staves.

What it does

This dialog box contains settings for controlling staves in documents used as Document Styles. See Document Styles.

Default Topline to Topline Distance. This is the default distance between new staves (in currently selected measurement units (see Measurement Units), measured from the top line of one staff to the top line of the next. Enter a value to place the staves closer or farther apart in scores using these settings as part of a Document Style.

Note: Finale always measures Topline to Topline Distance from the top line of a standard, 5-line staff. To locate Finale’s “Topline” position on staves with fewer than five lines (such as percussion staves), look for the staff handle; it always indicates the top line position.

Always Use Default Topline to Topline Distance. The Default Topline to Topline Distance is a Preferred Value that can Change if Necessary. Choose Always Use Default Topline to Topline Distance to apply this setting to all new files using this Document Style (when starting new documents with the Setup Wizard). Choose The Default Topline to Topline Distance is a Preferred Value that can Change if Necessary to tell Finale to make adjustments to the staff spacing in order to make the most of space available on the page. If this option is selected, for example, Finale might squeeze the staff spacing in order to fit more systems on a page.
Setup Wizard "Extra Space" Value. This is the amount of vertical space added when the Add Vertical Space button is used to add space between staves in the Document Setup Wizard. See Setup Wizard.