How to rename a score part in Flat

Q: What is the difference between the instrument name and the abbreviation?

Where they are printed. The Instrument name appears on the first system of the score, in full. The Abbreviation appears on every system after it, so a long name does not eat into the width of the music on every line.

Q: How do I remove the part names from a score entirely?

Edit each part and set an empty Instrument name . Flat then prints no label next to the staff. The part is still identifiable inside the editor, where it is shown as "Instrument N " in the instruments list and the other interfaces.

Last updated September 23, 2026

A part name in Flat is the label printed to the left of a staff: the full Instrument name on the first system, and the shorter Abbreviation on the systems that follow. Flat lets you change both from the part settings, and hides the label entirely when you leave the name empty.

How do I rename a part?

Once you created a score, you can rename the parts in the document settings. Open the Instruments tab in the left panel and click Manage instruments, then edit the part you want.

Open the instruments settings

Open the Instruments tab in the left panel and click Manage instruments.

The instruments list in the left panel, with Manage instruments at the bottom

Edit the part

Click the Edit button next to the part you want to edit. You can also directly click on a part name if it is displayed on the page.

Document settings with the Edit button next to each part

Set the name and abbreviation

You can then change Instrument name and Abbreviation. The name is displayed on the first system, and the abbreviation is displayed on the next systems.

The Instrument name and Abbreviation fields of a part

How do I hide or remove a part name?

It is possible to remove the part name displayed on the score. Use the method above to edit the part name, and set an empty name to the part. This will hide the name of the part on the notation, and it will be displayed as "Instrument N" on the different interfaces.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the instrument name and the abbreviation?

Where they are printed. The Instrument name appears on the first system of the score, in full. The Abbreviation appears on every system after it, so a long name does not eat into the width of the music on every line.

How do I remove the part names from a score entirely?

Edit each part and set an empty Instrument name. Flat then prints no label next to the staff. The part is still identifiable inside the editor, where it is shown as "Instrument N" in the instruments list and the other interfaces.

Does renaming a part change the instrument or its sound?

No. The name and abbreviation are labels only - the staves, clefs, transposition, and playback sound all stay as they were. To change those you replace the instrument instead, which swaps the whole configuration.

Can I save a part name so I do not have to retype it?

Yes. A custom instrument stores a default part name and abbreviation along with the rest of the configuration, so an ensemble you write for often comes with the right labels already set.