First and second endings (voltas)

A volta brackets which measure or measures play on a given pass through a repeated section — bars 5–6 only on the first time through, bars 7–8 only on the repeat, for instance.

Creating a bracket

F8 V 1–4 applies a 1st through 4th ending:

• With a range already selected, the bracket is created immediately, spanning from the first to the last selected measure — one keypress, done.
• With no selection, QuickStave enters volta mode: the bracket starts at the current measure, and any navigation (arrows, Ctrl+→, clicking another measure) extends a live preview to wherever the cursor lands. Enter commits it there; Escape cancels without creating anything. This is the same start/navigate/confirm shape as a spanner, even though a volta isn’t technically one (see Creating spanners).

Pressing the same ending number again on a measure that’s already bracketed with just that number relabels it rather than creating a second bracket.

Removing

F8 V Delete removes the ending at the current measure.

Repeat-end barlines keep the bracket’s shape in sync

A volta’s closing hook (the downward stroke marking where the ending actually stops) tracks whatever barline is on its last measure automatically — set or clear a repeat-end barline there (see Barlines and repeat signs) and the bracket’s hook follows without a separate step.

Tips

• A volta is system-level — it applies across every part in the score, not just the staff you created it from.