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Finale File Extensions and Icons

Finale creates a number of different types of files; each has its own extension and icon. In the table below, you’ll find a description of each kind of file you may encounter while working with Finale.

File types currently in use
File extension/icon	Description	How to make one	How to open one
.MUSX Finale notation file	This is a standard Finale (notation) document file.	Choose File > Save As.	Double-click, or choose File > Open. Or, drag the file onto Finale.
.MID MIDI file	This is a standard MIDI sequencer file. It can be read by most sequencer programs.	Choose File > Export > MIDI File. Name the file and click OK.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select MIDI File. Double-click on the file.
.FTMX Finale template file	This is a file that can be used as a template for creating Finale documents.	Choose File > Save As. From the File Type dropdown, select Finale template file.	Choose File > Open or File > New > Document from Template. From the File Type dropdown, select Finale Template File. Double-click on the file. Or, drag the file onto Finale.
.LSN Lesson file	This file contains a grouping of exercises and an ensemble of instruments.	Choose File > New > Exercise Wizard.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select Lesson File. Double-click on the file.
.XML MusicXML file	This is a notation document in XML format, used for sharing your document with other music software.	Choose File > Export > MusicXML.	Choose File > Import > MusicXML. Or, drag the MusicXML file onto Finale.
.MXL Compressed MusicXML file	This is a compressed version of a MusicXML document.	Choose File > Export > MusicXML.	Choose File > Import > MusicXML. Or, drag the MusicXML file onto Finale.
.SMPX SmartMusic accompaniment file	This is a file created in Finale for use in SmartMusic.	When you are ready to save a SmartMusic Accompaniment, choose File > Export > SmartMusic®.	In SmartMusic, choose Finale-Created Files. Click Import. Navigate to the .SMPX file and double-click it.
.BAKX Backup file	This is a backup of a standard notation document file.	These files are created when Make Backups When Saving Files is selected in the Preferences dialog box.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select All Files. Double-click on the file.
.ASVX Auto-save file	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 Preferences dialog box.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select All Files. Double-click on the file.
.FXT Plug-in application	This is a plug-in, which is an extension 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-ins, please visit our website for details.	FXT files cannot be opened separately. Finale loads all the plug-ins available each time the program is started.
.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 File > Save Library.	Choose File > Load Library.
.FAN Finale font annotation file	This is a file used by Finale to display the correct spacing of individual characters in music fonts.	FAN files are automatically created by Finale. They can also be created and edited in the Font Annotation dialog box.	In the Font Annotation dialog box, click Open.
.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).	These files cannot be opened.
.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 Edit > Cut or Copy. Name the file and click OK. See Copying music.	Click the Selection tool; select a region of measures. While pressing CTRL, choose Edit > Insert or Replace Entries. Double-click the clip file you want to open.
.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 File > Open; 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.	Choose File > 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.

File types no longer in use
File extension/icon	Description	How to make one	How to open one
.MUS Finale legacy file	This is a Finale (notation) document file used through version 2012.	Choose File > Export > Finale 2012.	Double-click, or choose File > Open. Or, drag the file onto Finale. (MUS files are automatically converted to MUSX when opened.)
.ETF ENIGMA Transportable Format	This is an early version of Finale notation files in plain text format. They were used to transfer Finale documents between Windows and Mac.	The ability to create ETF files was discontinued in 2007. It has been replaced by the MUS, MUSX, and MusicXML formats.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select ENIGMA Transportable File. Double-click on the file. (ETF files are automatically converted to MUSX when opened.)
.FTM Finale legacy template file	This is a file that can be used as a template for creating Finale documents.	Choose File > Save As. From the File Type dropdown, select Finale template file.	Choose File > Open or File > New > Document from Template. From the File Type dropdown, select Finale Template File. Double-click on the file. Or, drag the file onto Finale.
.FPA Finale performance assessment	This is a format used for Finale Performance Assessment, a tool that was similar to SmartMusic.	Finale Performance Assessment and the ability to create FPA files was discontinued in 2007.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select Finale Performance Assessment. Double-click on the file.
.SMP SmartMusic legacy file	This is a file created in Finale for use in SmartMusic.	These files have been replaced by SMPX and can not be created in Finale 2014 and later.	In SmartMusic, choose Finale-Created Files. Click Import. Navigate to the .SMP file and double-click it.
.BAK Backup file	This is a backup of a standard notation document file.	These files are created when Make Backups When Saving Files is selected in the Preferences dialog box.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select All Files. Double-click on the file.
.ASV Auto-save file	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 Preferences dialog box.	Choose File > Open. From the File Type dropdown, select All Files. Double-click on the file.
.NOT Note file	This file contains the MIDI information you’ve recorded in the Transcription window in an earlier version of Finale.	NOTE: The Transcription Mode of the HyperScribe Tool has been removed and was last available in Finale 2012.

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