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Default document

One of Finale's included music files is referred to as the "Default document". It is used in two situations: it is the document which appears when you choose File > New > Default Document, and it is the document used to create a Finale file when you import a MusicXML file.

Noteman says: If the Maestro Font Default file is not in the Music Files/Default Files folder, Finale opens a completely blank, unformatted, one-measure document.

The Default document (called Maestro Font Default) lets you start with a new untitled document that has a single blank staff. This file includes the default set of expressions, articulations, repeats, Smart Shapes, and other markings that can be found in the selection dialog box for these items. As long as you keep this document (“Maestro Font Default.FTMX”) in the Music Files/Default Files folder, every possible Finale parameter will always be set just the way you like it when you choose File > New > Default Document.

Tip: Finale also includes two other default documents, "Handwritten Default" using the Broadway Copyist font and "Jazz Font Default" using the Jazz font. If you want File > New > Default Document to automatically use one of these other documents, type its name exactly as it appears in Explorer next to Default Document in the Preferences - New dialog box (do not include the .ftmx extension).

However, you can customize this document to suit your own tastes. Do you prefer a different font for your lyrics? Do you frequently work with A4 paper? In any of these cases, the process for customizing the Maestro Font Default file is simple. Choose File > Open; in the Open dialog box that appears, navigate to the Finale 2014/Music Files/Default Files folder, choose Finale Template File from the File Type drop-down list and double-click Maestro Font Default.FTMX file to open it. You’re now looking at a blank document. Make any changes to it you want. Change the lyric font, page size, add expressions, etc.. When you’re finished, choose File > Save, choose Finale Template File from the File Type drop-down list, name the file Maestro Font Default.FTMX and then save it (and replace the existing Maestro Font Default file). From now on, every time you double-click the Finale program icon, choose File > New > Default Document or Document with Setup Wizard, a fresh, untitled copy of this Maestro Font Default file appears on the screen, formatted according to your preferences.