Note positioning

The positions of notes in Finale are determined by a number of factors. Their default horizontal positions are linear, according to the time signature—a whole note gets exactly as much room as four quarter notes. When you have Automatic Music Spacing selected or use the Music Spacing command, notes are positioned according to the Allotment Library you’ve loaded (the default file already has one)—a table of width measurements for notes of various rhythmic values. For a full discussion, see Document Options - Music Spacing. You can also position notes manually. To move a note and have all other notes that fall on the same beat (in other staves) remain aligned with it—in other words, to move the position of the beat itself—see Beat positions.

To move a note (Speedy Entry)

Choose the Speedy Entry tool and click the measure in question. The editing frame appears.
Drag the note to the left or right.
If you want the note you’re dragging to move only horizontally, hold SHIFT as you drag (so that you won’t accidentally drag it up or down to a new pitch).
Drag the note up or down to change its pitch.
You need to click squarely on the notehead before dragging. If you want the note you’re dragging to move only vertically, hold SHIFT as you drag (so that you won’t accidentally drag it to the left or right).

To move a note (Special Tools)

Choose the Special Tools tool , and click the measure in question.
Click the Note Position Tool . A handle appears on each note.
Drag any handle left or right to move the note. To restore a note to its original position, click its handle and press DELETE.

To move individual noteheads

Occasionally, you may need to drag the individual noteheads horizontally—for example, to “re-stack” the notes of a cluster chord. To use a different font character for noteheads, see Note shapes and Headless notes.

Choose the Special Tools tool , and click the measure in question.
Click the Notehead Position Tool . A handle appears on each notehead.
Drag any handle left or right to move the notehead. To restore a notehead to its original position, click its handle and press DELETE.