File menu

Expanded File menu

How to get there

The File menu is one of Finale’s unchanging menus; that is, it appears regardless of which tool is selected.

What it does

As in many computer programs, Finale’s File menu contains various commands for opening, closing, saving, and printing documents. The File menu also includes commands for importing and exporting libraries (files containing symbols, markings, and other musical elements that are stored separately and can be loaded into any document).

Launch Window. Choose this command to display the Launch Window that appears when you first start Finale. From the Launch Window, you can choose from a variety of methods to start a new file, open existing documents, and access reference materials (these options can also be accessed as menu commands in the File and Help menus).
New. Use this submenu to begin a new project by choosing the Setup Wizard, a default document, template, or document without libraries. See New submenu.

Noteman says: Starting in Finale version 25, opening a Finale Legacy File (.mus) does not retain custom page sizes.

Open. Choose this command to display the Open dialog box, where you can load the kinds of files Finale is capable of opening: Finale Notation file (*.musxMUSX or .musx. A Finale Notation File is the standard MakeMusic notation or music file, introduced in Finale 2014. It can be read by either the Mac or Windows version of Finale.), Finale Legacy file (*.musMUS or .mus. A standard MakeMusic notation or music file used through Finale 2012.), Standard MIDI fileA type of file written in a standardized format that can be understood by music programs from different manufacturers so that one file can be used in several different programs. For example, music created in any sequencer program can be opened by Finale and converted into written notation. (*.mid), Finale Template file (*.ftmx), Finale Legacy Template file (*.ftm), and Lesson file (*.lsn). Choose All Readable Files (*.*) if you want Finale to display all files in the current folder, regardless of file type. Use SHIFT-click to select more than one file to open.
As you select each of the file types from the file types list dropdown, the files displayed in the dialog box change to the files with the corresponding extension. Folders are displayed like any Windows Open dialog box; double-click a folder to see its contents and use the scroll bars if necessary to view more folders. Select a different drive or destination to view the contents of another drive.
Open Worksheets & Repertoire. Choose this command to display an Open dialog box with access to up to 200+ public domain titles including classical instrumental, piano and vocal scores, folk and traditional pieces, holiday and patriotic songs, jazz pieces, large ensemble arrangements, Bach Inventions, chants, rounds, assignment and practice record sheets, and blank manuscript paper. From this dialog box, you can also open various, customizable educational worksheets and flash cards. You can choose from 300+ theory worksheets, 30+ ear training worksheets, 300+ flash cards, and fingering worksheets. For a complete list, see Worksheets & Flash Cards.
Close. Choose this command to close the active window. If you have made changes to your document, Finale prompts you to save your changes; click Yes (or press ENTER) to save your changes, or click No if you don’t want your changes preserved. Click Cancel to return to the document without closing it.
Close All. Choose this command to close all currently open Finale documents. Finale prompts you to save each document that contains any changes; click Yes (or press ENTER) to save your changes, or click No if you don’t want your changes preserved. Click Cancel to return to the document without closing it.
Save. Choose this command to keep any changes you’ve made to the active document. When you’re working on a Finale file (or any computer file), your changes to the file are stored in temporary files that are deleted when you exit the program. As long as you’re in Finale and the computer is on, the computer’s memory retains your editing.
If the power fails or a system error occurs, however, all your editing is lost forever, unless you have remembered to save the changes onto a disk by choosing this command. It’s a good idea to save your work fairly often—every ten minutes, perhaps; if you’re the kind of person who forgets, consider using Finale’s automatic backup feature (see Preferences - Save dialog box).

Noteman says: The Save command saves only the active document (the one in the frontmost window).

Save As. This command has two purposes. First, this command allows you to create a duplicate of the document you’re working on, with a different name, and—if you wish—in a different folder or on a different disk. When you choose the command, Finale displays the Save As dialog box and asks you to give the document a new name, which can’t be the same as the current document’s in the same folder.

The command’s second purpose is to let you save the current document as a Finale Template file. After choosing Save As, use the Save as type dropdown to select the file format you want to use, give the new file a name, and click Save.
Save All. Choose this command to save any changes you’ve made to all of your open documents.
Extract Parts. Choose this command to create individual part documents from a score document using the Extract Parts dialog box. Specify the staves you want to extract. You can format, inspect, and adjust the resultant documents, fixing any awkward page turns, for example, before you print them out. Linked parts can also be printed directly from the main document. See Linked Parts.
Revert. If in experimenting with a file, you create a hopeless muddle, all is not lost. Use this command to restore your document to whatever condition it was in the last time you saved your work. This command does the same thing as closing the document without saving it, then reopening it.
Share. Choose this command to open the Share dialog box, where you can take advantage of SmartMusic features to share your music with only certain recipients or with anyone who has the link to it. You can also choose to upload your music to use in SmartMusic's Practice app and Content Manager. If your document has already been uploaded, information and further options are presented. See Sharing for more details.
ScoreMerger. Choose this command to combine several files into one. This can be done horizontally, with files appended after each other, such as different movements of a symphony or a collection of songs. Or, it can be done vertically, consolidating individual parts into a full conductors score. See ScoreMerger.
Import. Use this submenu to import a single MusicXMLA standard open format for exchanging digital sheet music. MusicXML provides a solution for tasks such as publishing interactive musical scores on the Internet and collaborating with other musicians who use different music applications. file or an entire folder of MusicXML files. See Import submenu.
Export. Use this submenu to export an audio file, EPUB, Finale 2012 file, MIDI file, PDF, classic SmartMusic file, a single MusicXML file, or an entire folder of MusicXML files. See Export submenu.
Load Library. Choose this command to load additional libraries into any document. Libraries contain elements like articulations, chord suffixes, and expressions. The Open dialog box appears, letting you double-click the name of the library you want to load. See Finale Libraries for a full description of these libraries and their contents.
Save Library. Choose this command to display the Save Library dialog box, where you can save the specified set of special symbols (or settings) you've created while working in a file (articulations, chord symbols, and so on) into a separate file called a library. These sets of musical elements can then be loaded into any file.
Printer Page Setup. Choose this command to display the standard Windows Page Setup dialog box, which differs depending on the kind of printer you’re using.
For example, you can specify the size of paper you want to print on, but note that the page size of your document itself (that is, the size of the printed image) is independent of the paper size you specify here. Use the Page Layout tool to set the actual page size; see Page size. To make sure that no music will be cut off when you print, the size of the page as set by the Page Layout tool should be equal to or smaller than that specified in the Page Setup dialog box.
Print. Choose this command to print the score and/or parts as they appear in Page View. When you choose this command, the standard Print dialog box appears, listing additional printing options that vary depending on your printer. You'll be able to specify, for example, which pages of the score you want to print, and how many copies.
Save Preferences. You can customize your Main Tool Palette and the document window to the work environment best suited to your music, so you can get straight to work when you open a file. When exiting Finale, preferences set in the application are automatically saved. This command gives you control over when to save these settings.
Exit. Choose this command to exit Finale and return to the Windows desktop. Finale closes all open files automatically, after prompting you to save your changes.
[Recent Documents]. Next to these numbers are the names of the four most recently opened documents, with number 1 being the most recent. Selecting a file from here saves you the trouble of choosing Open and navigating through directories in the Open dialog box to find your file.