Group names

1. Choose the Staff tool . The Staff menu appears.
2. If you haven’t yet created the group you’re naming, do so now.
3. OPTION+click a group handle. The Edit Text window appears.

   You can also access the Edit Text window by clicking the Edit buttons for full or abbreviated group names in the Group Attributes dialog box. For more information, see Group Attributes dialog box.

4. Type a new group name in the window or make changes to an existing group name. Change fonts and styles using the Text tool; see Edit Text window for details.
5. Click OK to confirm the name and dismiss the dialog box.

These instructions show you how to set the default position for all full and abbreviated group names. You can override these positions on a group-by-group and system-by-system basis, however; see To reposition group names individually, below.

1. Choose the Staff tool . The Staff menu appears.
2. Choose Staff > Set Default Name Positions > Full Group Names or Abbreviated Group Names. The Position dialog box appears, depending on your menu selection.
3. Specify the alignment of the group name by choosing Alignment > Left, Right, or Center. Finale automatically selects the matching setting from the Justification popup menu.

   You can also specify the justification for multi-line names by choosing Left, Right, Center, or Forced Full from the Justification menu. You may need to change the justification for multi-line names. Note that choosing Full justification will currently have the same effect as choosing Left justification, because each line is treated as the end of a paragraph.

4. Drag the name in the display area to adjust its position, or enter values into the H: and V: text boxes to adjust the position of the name.

   The H: value determines the horizontal distance between the beginning of the group name and the left edge of the staff. By default, Finale vertically centers group names between the first and last staff in the group. A horizontal line between the staves indicates the center of the group of staves. The V: value determines the vertical distance of the group name from the center point. The units are whatever you've selected under Finale 2014 > Measurement Units.

5. Click OK when you have entered the position settings.

Tip: If your changes don’t appear to take effect, display the Group Attributes dialog box and make sure that Position is not selected. Or, select the group handles and press CLEAR.

Noteman says: You can also position an individual group name from the Group Attributes dialog box. Click a group handle, then choose Staff > Group and Bracket > Edit, or double-click a group handle. The Group Attributes dialog box appears. Click the Position button for the full or abbreviated group name to display the appropriate Position dialog box.

1. Choose the Staff tool . The Staff menu appears.
2. Drag a group handle to reposition the full or abbreviated group name on-screen.
3. To specify the exact positioning of a group name, click a group handle, then choose Staff > Position Names >Full Group Name or Abbreviated Group Name. (Or, OPTION+SHIFT+click a group handle.) The Position dialog box appears.
4. Specify the alignment of the group name by choosing Left, Right, or Center from the Alignment popup menu. Finale automatically selects the matching setting from the Justification popup menu.

   Specify the justification for multi-line names by choosing Justification > Left, Right, Center, or Forced Full. You may need to change the justification for multi-line names. Choosing Full justification will currently have the same effect as choosing Left justification, because each line is treated as the end of a paragraph.

5. Drag the name in the display area to adjust its position, or enter values into the H: and V: text boxes to adjust the position of the name.

   The H: value determines the horizontal distance between the beginning of the group name and the left edge of the staff. By default, Finale vertically centers group names between the first and last staff in the group. A horizontal line between the staves indicates the center of the group of staves. The V: value determines the vertical distance of the group name from the center point. The units are whatever you've selected under Finale 2014 > Measurement Units.

6. Click OK when you have entered the position settings.

Tip: To revert the position of the full or abbreviated group name to its default position, select the group handle and press CLEAR. (Or, make sure that Position is not selected in the Group Attributes dialog box.)

1. Choose Document > Document Options > Fonts to set the initial font for new names that you create. The Document Options - Fonts dialog box appears, listing various elements for which you can set the font.
2. Choose Text > Group Names (Full).
3. Click Set Font. The Font dialog box appears.
4. Set the initial font, size, and style to use when creating full group names. Click OK twice to confirm the changes.
5. Repeat this process for abbreviated group names—choose Text > Group Names (Abbreviated).
6. Click OK to confirm your changes.

If you want to change the font for group names (globally), see Change Fonts Plug-in and Global Staff Attributes.

1. Choose the Staff tool . The Staff menu appears.
2. Click a group handle, then choose Staff > Group and Bracket > Edit.
3. Deselect Show Group Name, then click OK. Finale remembers the group name, but hides it until you select Show Group Name again.

   This setting controls whether the group names you enter will appear on your printed score. Default names enclosed in square brackets only display on-screen; they never appear on your printed score.

4. Click OK to confirm your changes.