Finale File Extensions

File Extension

Description

How to Make One

How to Open One

Finale.EXE

Finale application (program)

This is the Finale program itself

There’s only one of these

Double-click to start Finale.

.MUS

Finale file

This is a standard Finale (notation) document file.

Choose Save As from the File menu.

Double-click.

.LIB

Finale library

A Finale library may contain a set of symbols (such as Chords or Articulations), markings (such as Text Expressions), or settings (such as Document settings or Spacing Widths

Choose Save Library from the File menu.

From the File menu, choose Load Library.

.LSN

Lesson file

This file contains a grouping of exercises and an ensemble of instruments.

From the File menu, choose New, Exercise Wizard.

From the File menu, choose Open; Select Lesson File and double-click the one you want to open.

.MID

MIDI file

This is a standard MIDI sequencer file. It can be read by most sequencer programs.

Choose Save As from the File menu  select the File Type “MIDI File.” Name the file and click OK.

From the File menu, choose Open; Select MIDI File and double-click the one you want to open.

.SMP

SmartMusic Public Accompaniment file

This is a SmartMusic Public Accompaniment file.

When you are ready to save a SmartMusic Accompaniment, from the File menu, choose Export to SmartMusic®.

In SmartMusic, from the File menu, choose Open SmartMusic Accompaniment. Choose Finale Family Generated Files. Navigate to the .SMP file and double-click.

.TRK

Track/Staff Mapping file

This file contains sequencer track/channel-to-Finale staff information for use when you open a MIDI sequencer file with Finale.

Choose Open from the File menu; select the File Type “MIDI File.", and double-click the one you want to open. Click Track-to- Staff List; create a track/staff configuration and click Save. See Track/Channel Mapping to Staves dialog box.

From the File menu, choose Open; select the File Type “MIDI File." , and double-click the one you want to open. Click Track-to-Staff List and click Load. Double-click the one you want to open.

.NOT

Note file

This file contains the MIDI information you’ve recorded in the Transcription window.

Click the HyperScribe Tool, select Transcription Mode and click a measure. Click Wait Till and perform your piece. Choose Save As from the file menu. Name the file and click OK.

Click the HyperScribe Tool, select Transcription Mode and click a measure. Choose Open from the File menu. Double-click the Note file you want to open.

.CLP

Clip File

This file contains a motif, passage, or section of music you’ve copied from a Finale document.

Click the Selection Tool; select a region of measures. While pressing ctrl, choose Cut or Copy from the Edit menu. Name the file and click OK. See Copying music

Click the Selection Tool; select a region of measures. While pressing ctrl, choose Insert or Replace Entries from the Edit menu. Double-click the Clip file you want to open.

.PS

PostScript file

This special text file contains the complete PostScript description of your document; by downloading it to a PostScript printer, you can print without using the Finale program itself.

Choose Compile PostScript Listing from the File menu and click OK; name the file and click OK.

You can’t open these files. You need a special downloading program to send this file to the printer. See PostScript

.EPS

Encapsulated PostScript file

This special text file contains the Encapsulated PostScript description of one page of your document. This file can be used in Finale or in other programs that import graphics.

Choose Compile PostScript Listing from the File menu or Export Page from the Graphics menu or double-click to select an area and choose Export Selection from the Graphics menu. Enter a page number in the “EPS file of page:” text box if needed, and click OK; name the file and click OK.

Select Place Graphic from the Graphics menu or start another page layout or graphics program and use its Open or Place command. Double-click the name of the EPS file. Click in the score to place the EPS file.

PICT file

This graphic file contains a PICT graphic which can be used in Finale or in other programs that import graphics. In OS X, this icon may appear as a thumbnail of the image.

Double-click to select an area to export in the Graphics Tool and select Export Selection from the Graphics menu, or just select Export Pages from the Graphics menu. Select PICT from the Type popup menu. Click Save

Select Place Graphic from the Graphics menu or start another page layout or graphics program and use its Open or Place command. Double-click the name of the PICT file. Click in the score to place the PICT file.

.TIF

TIFF file

This graphic file contains a TIFF graphic which can be used in Finale or in other programs that import graphics.

Double-click to select an area to export in the Graphics Tool and select Export Selection from the Graphics menu, or just select Export Pages from the Graphics menu. Select TIFF from the Type drop-down list. Click OK.

Select Place Graphic from the Graphics menu or start another page layout or graphics program and use its Open or Place command. Double-click the name of the TIFF file. Click in the score to place the TIFF file.

Finale.INI

Preferences file

This is the Finale Preferences file, which contains settings such as those made in the Program Options dialog box and the Windows menu.

Finale creates this file automatically and places it in your Finale folder.

Finale uses this file each time the program is started.

.FXT

Plug-in applications

This a plug-in, which is a small program that runs only in Finale to allow you to enhance Finale’s abilities.

Finale comes with a number of plug-ins already installed in your Finale folder. If you are interested in making your own Plug-in programs please visit our website for details.

You can’t open these files. Finale loads all the plug-ins available each time the program is started.

.TMP

Finale Temporary file

This is one of Finale’s temporary files; under normal circumstances, you never see them.

The temporary file exists only while your working in Finale (or after the computer is turned off without quitting Finale properly).

You can’t open these files.

.BAK

This is a backup of a standard notation document file.

These files are created when Make Backups When Saving Files is selected in the Program Options dialog box.

In Finale, choose File, then Open. Select Files of Type, All Files. Double-click on the file.

.ASV

This is an automatically saved backup of a standard notation document file.

These files are created when Auto Save Files Every X Minutes is selected in the Program Options dialog box.

In Finale, choose File, then Open. Select Files of Type, All Files. Double-click on the file.