In Setup mode, when working in Page view, it can be difficult to identify the exact page on which a selected flow begins. At present, Dorico shows the flow number in the Setup Flows panel, but not the corresponding page number.
It would be very helpful if Dorico could display the page number alongside the flow number in the Setup Flows panel. This would make it easier to navigate large projects, particularly when flows are numerous or when page layouts vary:
Such a feature would improve clarity in multi‑flow scores and reduce the need to switch repeatedly between Setup and Engrave modes simply to confirm page positions.
Thanks for this, which I already know and am using.
Currently, I do not use the flow heading, and the important information for identifying the flow is placed on the second page of each flow. Therefore, the usual method does not help me.
The reason things have become so complicated is because of the page template shifts, as described in this thread.
There are currently more than 30 flows, and in the Setup Flows panel I have noted the BWV number together with the corresponding number in Riemenschneider’s collection, Zahn’s collection, the keys, and the church modes, as shown below:
In addition, I have also recorded the level of difficulty of reharmonisation based on Bach’s work.
On the basis of this information, I am reconstructing many of Bach’s chorales as exercises.
Since I check these details directly in the score in Setup mode and then make notes in the Setup Flows panel, shortcut or jump functions for moving between flows are of little use in this context. Moreover, while carrying out this work I am also adding new flows, which makes such navigation features even less relevant.
As shown above, large page numbers appear at the top of each page. It would be very helpful if the first page number of each flow were also displayed on its square button in the Setup Flows panel, making it easier to locate the correct page when no standard flow heading is used.
One workaround I have been using is to set the running headers to show the full flow title. This makes it easier to know where you are when you navigate with the shortcuts.
Obviously, you would change back to your desired running header once the project is finished.
One quirk with what you are suggesting, is that page numbers will change depending on what layout you are showing. Now I get that you are only using one layout, but in the case of multiple ones this would be a bit tricky. Dynamically updating page numbers in the Setup flow titles, depending on what flow is active? Maybe, if it does not slow down the program. But what if you have several tabs open, with different layouts?
When pagination is changed by inserting or deleting flows, or by arranging bar numbers on pages, the display of page numbers both on the page and in the Setup Flows panel should be dynamically updated in synchronisation with other layouts.
Of course, composers, editors, and authors may begin with a fixed setup when starting work on a Dorico project file, but the setup often needs to be changed for various reasons, such as instrument changes or the insertion of a flow in the middle of existing flows.
Pagination should therefore remain flexible.
(The recommended workflow is to insert page templates at the end of the process, but my current work cannot be managed in this way. When inserting a flow, the corresponding text in the text frame should also be updated. At present, I cannot achieve this because Dorico does not dynamically move the overridden template.)
I think @LAE’s point is that a flow does not have a page number – it can have a different page number in each layout. In a string quartet, for example, the page numbers for each flow in the score will be different from the page numbers in the parts. Since they’re not a fixed attribute of the flow, what should be displayed in Setup mode?
In Setup mode, we can still select the layout. Therefore, the page number shown in the Setup Flows panel should correspond to the flow’s first page number in the selected layout, as displayed in the same window by Dorico.
I agree with @LAE that this can get complicated, and I think having dynamic information like this might be confusing to users.
You could also make the case that the page numbers should follow not the currently displayed layout, but rather the currently selected layout in the right-hand panel, since selections currently drive things in Setup mode. (And then the numbers should only display if you have a single layout selected, rather than multiple.)
