Caret
In Dorico, the caret shows the rhythmic position at which notes, chords or notation items are input.
A caret is a mark that is commonly used in proofreading of written text to denote the position at which something should be inserted or added, for example, a missing letter or a word. In software, the caret shows where something is inserted. The caret can also be known as an insertion point or cursor.
In this documentation, we use caret to refer to the line that appears during note input, and cursor to refer to the line that appears during text input.
In Dorico, the caret is a vertical line that extends above and below the staff. If you are inputting notes, the caret advances to the next rhythmic position automatically. If you are inputting chords, the caret does not move on its own, and you must move it to the next rhythmic position. The caret has a note symbol beside it in most cases, which indicates the stem direction of the currently selected voice. It is accompanied by a + symbol if the voice is new.
Figure: The caret
The appearance of the caret changes depending on the tool or on the number of voices that you are using.
- Insert
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The caret shows V and inverted V shapes at the top and bottom. In Insert mode, inserted notes shift all the music that follows along by the input duration instead of replacing existing notes.
Figure: Caret in Insert mode
- Chords
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The caret shows a plus symbol on the left at the top. Allows you to input multiple notes at the same rhythmic position.
Figure: Caret when inputting chords
- Lock to Duration
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The caret line is dashed. Allows you to repitch notes without changing their duration or rhythm.
Figure: Caret when Lock to Duration is activated
- Grace Notes
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The caret is smaller than the default caret. Allows you to input grace notes at the caret position.
Figure: Caret when inputting grace notes
- Voices
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If you input multiple voices, the caret shows the following:
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A plus symbol on the left at the bottom
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The number of the voice into which you are about to input notes
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An up-stem note or a down-stem note symbol to indicate the stem direction of the voice
Figure: Caret when inputting notes into a new down-stem voice
Figure: Caret when inputting notes into a new, second up-stem voice
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- Percussion kits
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The caret appears significantly smaller than usual when inputting notes into percussion kits. The name of the kit instrument into which you are currently inputting notes is shown above the rhythmic grid.
Figure: Caret when inputting notes into percussion kits