Arrows for offset in Inspector should match actual directions that objects move; one spinbox with 4 directional arrows

I too once experienced frustration that elements seemed move in the 'opposite direction' when using Inspector, but isn't this limited to vertical movements?

I adapted once I grasped a critical bit of information, i.e., that measured movement of objects in MuseScore is governed by a Cartesian plane of X and Y axes on which values increase to the right on X but downward on Y. When you consider that normal spin-button behavior is 'up-arrow = more' and 'down-arrow = less', it all makes complete sense.

Even assuming this needs 'fixing', is there really any way it can be changed without (1) requiring different spin-button behavior for horizontal and vertical movements, or (2) imposing a consistent but reversed spin-button behavior (which would be inconsistent with how spin-buttons function in other software), or (3) implementing a reversal in the orientation of the Y-axis?

As a practical matter, it's hard for me to see how any of those options would work - especially option (3), given the absolute need for backwards compatibility - but now I'm wondering if perhaps I misunderstood the original poster's complaint entirely.

I'm not sure how to make it better but there are certainly ways to make the two offset spinboxes more usable without breaking compatibility. One idea from the top of my head would be to have 4 arrows similar to the keyboard arrows and the two values in the middle. Having directional arrows would make it obvious to the user in which direction the selected element would move.

Second. I was just about to write a feature request to have 4 directional arrows. I've wasted thousands of mouse clicks, because I click up/down and get down/up and likewise can't guess horizontal, as that knowledge cannot be determined a priori. I was also going to suggest that the sign of the offset ("+" and "-") be hidden from the user, since it is an internal representation, and instead use human directions "right" "left" "up" "down" instead of the sign next to the number. (A benefit of spelling out the directions is that it wouldn't be necessary to write the words "horizontal" and "vertical", so those inspector sections would only need to be labeled with one word, "offset", which would save real estate.)

Absolutely brilliant idea, if it's possible to implement.

See also #312482: Request: Preference to reverse the impact of Inspector's y spinner (and have the y field value reflect Cartesian coords)

Relates to #311174: [EPIC] UI/UX issues and suggestions