Templates

Templates allow you to quickly open Finale files with custom instrumentation and libraries while still being able to customize the title, composer, time signature, key signature, and other settings using the Document Setup Wizard. Each of these templates has a selection of libraries already loaded. These include the Chord Suffix, Articulations, Shape Expressions, Text Expressions, Text Repeats, Allotments (medium), Quarter Tone, and Executable Shapes libraries. Each has also been defined to have sequential measure numbers, page numbers, and a sample title. Staves for the transposing instruments (e.g., clarinets, horns) have been set up to transpose automatically (see Transposing instruments). The 70+ templates listed below are included with Finale, but you can also create and save your own custom templates.

To create a new document from an existing template

Noteman says: If you do not want the Setup Wizard to be displayed when you use a template file, deselect Display Setup Wizard When Opening a Template in the Preferences - New dialog box.

  1. Choose File > New > Document From Template. The Open dialog box appears, allowing you to choose a template folder, then document.
  2. Double-click the template you want to open. The Document Setup Wizard - Score Information dialog box appears.
  3. Enter score information like Title, Composer, and Arranger and click Next. The Document Setup Wizard - Score Settings dialog box appears.
  4. Select a Time Signature, Key Signature, Tempo Marking, Pickup Measure, and Number of Measures for your document. Click Finish. A document with the specified score information set in the previous steps appears as "Untitled." This allows the original template to be preserved for future use.

    If you do not want the new document to appear as Untitled, deselect Open templates as "Untitled" in the Preferences - Open dialog box.

To create a new blank template

  1. Open any document and make the desired settings.

    If you're using an existing document, be sure to remove any notes and rests from the document but don't overwrite the original file.

  2. Once you’ve set up your score, choose File > Save As.
  3. From the Files of Type drop-down menu, choose Finale Template File (*.FTMX).
  4. Name the file and save it. By default, Finale templates are saved in Finale 26/Music Files/Templates, but you can save your templates anywhere. See Finale Installation Details for more information. Finale creates a duplicate copy and leaves the original template intact.

You can now use the To create a new document from an existing template steps above.

Finale templates

See also:

Reusing document settings

Finale Character Sets