Where Does Finale Store Scores and Templates?
Where Finale keeps scores, templates, and preferences on Windows and macOS, and what to copy when migrating.
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Finale keeps user files in Documents and support files in system data. Scores default to a Finale folder inside Documents, organized by version. Templates, percussion layouts, and sound data sit under ProgramData on Windows and Application Support on Mac. Preferences live in AppData Roaming or in a Mac plist.
Version numbers appear in folder names, so upgrades leave old folders behind. That is normal, but it confuses searches. When a template seems missing after an update, check whether Finale is looking at the new version path while your files sit in the old one. Copy them forward rather than repointing back.
Where Finale stores this, by platform
%userprofile%\Documents\Finale
Scores default to Documents\Finale. Support data is under %programdata%\MakeMusic\Finale 20XX and settings under %appdata%\MakeMusic\Finale 20XX. Replace 20XX with your release.
~/Documents/Finale
Scores sit in ~/Documents/Finale. Libraries are under ~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic/Finale 20XX. Preferences are in ~/Library/Preferences with a MakeMusic name. Version suffix matters after upgrades.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Finale to a new computer?
Copy your scores from Documents\Finale plus the Roaming MakeMusic folder on Windows, or Application Support MakeMusic on Mac. Install the same Finale version first, since newer builds convert older .musx files on open. Keep a copy of the originals before bulk converting.
Where are Finale templates and sound libraries?
Check Preferences then Folders. Default libraries point at ProgramData or Application Support MakeMusic paths with the version number in them. Templates default to Documents\Finale. If a path includes an old year after an upgrade, repoint it to the current version folder.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.