Anchor Lyrics And Chords For Export In ScanScore

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📝 Text Anchoring in ScanScore: How to Place Lyrics & Chords Correctly

In ScanScore, proper text anchoring can mean the difference between a clean export and hours of frustration. When you convert PDF to MusicXML this is very important! Lyrics are not showing? Chord symbols disappearing in the MusicXML file? In most cases, the issue is caused by incorrectly placed or missing text anchors.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to anchor lyrics, chords, and other text elements properly – and how to prevent missing content when exporting to your notation software.

🔍 What Does “Text Anchoring” Mean?

Each text element in ScanScore is linked to a note or position on the system using an anchor point. This anchor determines the association of the text – e.g., to a specific note, voice, or staff.

If the anchor is missing or incorrect, it may result in:

  • text not being displayed correctly

  • text not being transposed

  • text not appearing in the MusicXML export

🧩 What Types of Text Exist in ScanScore?

Element Type in ScanScore Export-Relevant Requires Anchoring?
Lyrics (vocal text) Text (Lyrics) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Chord symbols (e.g. G7) Text (Chord) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Performance instructions Text (Expression) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Tempo markings (♩=90, Allegro) Metronome / Symbol text ✅ Yes 🟡 Anchored to note/staff
Dynamics (p, mf, f) Symbol (Dynamic) ✅ Yes 🔄 Automatically placed

🔄 Dynamics and tempo are technically not text, but their position affects the export accuracy and readability.

✍️ Editing Lyrics & Chords Correctly

Step 1: Select and Identify the Text

  • Click on the text element (e.g., “Cmaj7” or “Hello”).

  • For chords, a double-click opens the Chord window.

  • For issues involving chords mistakenly classified as lyrics, check out our separate blog post on this topic.

  • Alternatively, go to Window → Properties to manually adjust the element.

Check the Text Type: it should be clearly assigned as Lyrics, Title, Subtitle, Composer, or General Text.

Step 2: Set the Correct Text Type

Use the dropdown menu in the Properties panel to assign the correct type:

  • Lyrics → Lyrics

  • Header → Title, Subtitle, Composer

🎯 Using the correct text type ensures:

  • Chords are transposed correctly

  • MusicXML exports without missing elements

  • Your notation software displays the text in the correct position

Step 3: Check and Adjust the Anchor

  • A small blue arrow (anchor) shows where the text is attached.

  • No anchor visible or wrong position? → Drag the anchor to the correct note.

  • Use Shift to move multiple text elements together.

🛠 Common Issues & How to Fix Them

Problem Solution
Chord symbols don’t transpose Change text type from “Lyrics” to “Chord”
Text not showing in export (e.g. in MuseScore) Check and manually correct the anchor
Text appears on wrong note or staff Reposition the anchor properly
Lyrics & chords overlap Separate types and adjust their positions individually

💡 Pro Tips for Handling Text Elements

  • Select multiple similar text types:
    Go to Select → Text → Lyrics or Chords

  • Convert all lyrics to chords?
    Take a look at this article!

  • Move text without deleting and reanchoring?
    Use the Selection Tool, then drag the text with Shift (anchor remains)

📺 Webinar Tip: Anchoring in Action

In our full-length webinar, we cover:

  • how to properly place text anchors

  • how to choose and edit text types

  • how to ensure all text is exported correctly

🎥 Watch from minute 29:36 →
ScanScore Webinar: Anchoring of Text Types & Export

✅ Final Export Checklist (MusicXML)

Before exporting your project:

✅ Are all text elements properly anchored?
✅ Has the correct text type (Lyrics, Chord, Title) been set?
✅ Is the anchor logically placed at the correct note and staff?

Only with clean anchoring can your chords, lyrics, and performance text be correctly transferred to MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius, or Dorico.

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