Expression Selection dialog box

How to get there

There are two ways to access this window, depending on whether you are selecting an Expression manually or assigning a ClosedMetatoolA Finale keyboard shortcut that lets you enter markings very quickly. Up to 36 Metatools can be programmed for the following items: Articulations, Chord Symbols, Expressions, Key Signatures, Time Signatures, Selection, Repeats, and Tuplets. The name for these shortcuts gave rise to the old chestnut, "I never metatool I didn't like.":

  • Choose the Expression tool icon and double-click a note, measure, or existing expression in the score.
  • With the Expression tool icon selected, press SHIFT+a letter or number key to program a Metatool.

What it does

Noteman says: You can double-click the desired Expression instead of selecting it and clicking Assign.

This dialog box displays a palette of Expressions (either text- or shape-based) you’ve created in or loaded into your document. If you are using the Default document, this dialog box displays a selection of common Expressions, such as Allegro, ritard, and various dynamic markings. From this dialog box, you can select an Expression to put in the score, edit an existing one, or create a new one. Finale organizes all of the Expressions into categories that include unique font and positioning settings. Use the category list to the left to isolate specific groups of Expressions in the preview window.

  • [Categories]. Choose from Show All, Dynamics, Tempo Marks, Tempo Alterations, Expressive Text, Technique Text, Rehearsal Marks, and Miscellaneous to display different Expressions in the Expression Selection dialog box, based on the document's library.
  • [Expressions]. Choose an Expression currently available in the document. Characters in the top right corner of an Expression indicate the Metatool assigned to it.
  • [Magnifying glass icons]. Use the magnifying glass icons in the upper right to zoom in and out. Click and drag the lower right corner of the dialog box and drag to resize it.
  • Move Up • Move Down (arrows). Click these arrows to move the selected item or items up or down in the list. You can choose more than one item. Use SHIFT-click to select an additional item and include all the items in between. Use COMMAND-click to select only a specific additional item in the list.
  • Edit Categories. Click Edit Categories to open the Category Designer dialog box for the selected category.
  • Edit. Select an Expression and click Edit to open the Expression Designer dialog box, where you can edit attributes like text, playback, and positioning. When you are editing an Expression, you’re also editing every occurrence of that Expression in the score.
  • Duplicate. Click Duplicate to make a duplicate copy of the currently selected Expression. You can choose more than one item. Use SHIFT-click to select an additional item and include all the items in between. Use COMMAND-click to select only a specific additional item in the list.
  • Delete. Click Delete to remove the currently selected Expression from the palette. You can choose more than one item. Use COMMAND-click to select an additional item and include all the items in between. Use CTRL-click to select only a specific additional item in the list. If the Expression is used in the score, the Delete Element dialog box is displayed, where you can specify delete options.
  • Move To. Use this pop-up menu to move the selected Expressions into a different category. Checking the Use Category Fonts/Positioning checkbox in the Expression Designer dialog box causes the Expression to inherit that settings from the destination category.
  • Reset to Category. Choose an Expression and use this pop-up menu to reset the Expression's font and/or positioning settings to match those of its category.
  • Create [Category]. Click Create if you want to create a custom Expression. The Expression Designer dialog box appears, where you can create a new Expression.
  • Cancel. Click Cancel to return to the score without adding an Expression.
  • Assign • popup button. After clicking an Expression in the Expression Selection dialog box, click Assign to add it to the score. To assign dynamics, expressive text, and technique text (and other Expressions that apply to individual staves) to multiple staves simultaneously, use the adjacent pop-up menu. Choose Assign to Staves to open the Assign to Staves dialog box where you can specify on which staves the Expression appears. The pop-up menu is not available for Expressions that apply to the full score (tempo and rehearsal marks). These Expressions are designated to appear on specific staves according to the category's ClosedScore ListScore lists are applied to expressions that apply to the full score including tempo marks, tempo alterations, and rehearsal marks. They indicate the staves on which these expressions should appear and can be edited in the Category Designer dialog box.. See Category Designer.

See also:

Expressions

Metatools

Shape Designer