Change system spacing in Guitar Pro 8 from the Format menu

To adjust the space between systems (the groups of staves that stack vertically on a page), open your file in Guitar Pro 8 and go to Format in the menu bar. Select Page Setup, then click the Spacing tab. You will see a field labeled System spacing with a measurement in millimeters. Increase the number to add more space between systems, or decrease it to bring them closer together. Click OK to explore the change to your entire document.

This method changes spacing globally — it affects every system on every page at once. If you want to adjust spacing for only one specific system or a section of your score, you will need to use a different approach.

Key Takeaways

  • System spacing is controlled through Format > Page Setup > Spacing tab, measured in millimeters.
  • Increasing the system spacing number spreads systems farther apart; decreasing it compresses them.
  • Changes made in Page Setup explore to the entire document unless you use local spacing adjustments.
  • You can override global spacing for individual systems by selecting a system and using the Properties panel on the right side.
  • Typical system spacing ranges from 8 to 15 millimeters depending on how many staves per system and how much room you have on the page.

Adjust spacing for a single system using the Properties panel

If you want to change spacing for just one system instead of the whole document, click on the system you want to adjust. The Properties panel will appear on the right side of the screen. Look for the Spacing section and you will see a field for System spacing. Enter a new value here to override the global setting for that system only.

This local adjustment is useful when one section of your score needs more room — for example, if a system contains a complex chord diagram or a wide tempo marking that needs breathing room. The rest of your document keeps its original spacing.

Understand what system spacing controls

A system in Guitar Pro is one complete row of staves. If your score has guitar and bass, that is two staves per system. If you add drums, that becomes three staves per system. System spacing is the vertical distance from the bottom line of one system to the top line of the next system below it.

This is different from staff spacing, which controls the distance between individual staves within a single system. If you need to adjust the space between the guitar and bass staves on the same row, you would change staff spacing instead, also found in the Spacing tab of Page Setup.

Fit more systems on a page by reducing spacing

If your score is spreading across too many pages, reducing system spacing is one way to fit more content on each page. Lower the system spacing value in millimeters — try reducing it by 2 to 3 millimeters at a time and check the page count. Most scores remain readable with system spacing as low as 6 to 8 millimeters, though readability depends on how many staves you have per system.

Be aware that very tight spacing can make the score harder to read and leave little room for annotations or performance notes. If you are preparing a score for printing or sharing, test the layout at the size you plan to use it before finalizing.

Spread systems out for easier reading

If your score feels cramped or you want more white space for clarity, increase the system spacing value. Moving from 10 to 13 millimeters, for example, creates noticeably more breathing room. This is especially helpful if you are printing the score or displaying it on a smaller screen where crowded staves become hard to follow.

Increased spacing also gives you room to add performance notes, fingering suggestions, or other annotations between systems without them overlapping the staves. Keep in mind that more spacing means fewer systems per page, so your total page count will grow.

Reset spacing to Guitar Pro defaults

If you have made spacing changes and want to return to the default settings, go back to Format > Page Setup > Spacing. Guitar Pro's default system spacing is typically 10 millimeters. You can also create a blank document with no custom spacing and check what the default values are, then explore those same numbers to your current score.

There is no single "reset to defaults" button, so you will need to manually enter the values. If you frequently work with the same spacing preferences, consider saving a template file with your preferred settings so you can use it as a starting point for new scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change spacing for just the first page or a specific section?

No, Page Setup spacing applies to the entire document. However, you can select individual systems and override the spacing for each one using the Properties panel. This is slower than a global change but gives you precise control over which systems get more or less space.

What is the difference between system spacing and staff spacing?

System spacing is the gap between complete rows of staves. Staff spacing is the gap between individual staves within the same row — for example, between the guitar and bass staves on the same system. Both are in the Spacing tab, and both are measured in millimeters.

Why does my score look different on screen than when I print it?

Screen zoom level and printer settings can both affect how spacing appears. Always check your print preview before printing to see the actual page layout. You may also need to adjust spacing based on your paper size and margins, which are also in Page Setup.

Is there a minimum or maximum spacing value I should use?

Guitar Pro accepts any positive number, but practical spacing usually falls between 5 and 20 millimeters. Below 5 millimeters, systems become very crowded. Above 20 millimeters, you waste page space. Test your chosen value by viewing a full page to make sure it works for your needs.