Turn off the "Too many notes per measure " warning in the Simple/Speedy menu.

(There are other ways to do this, but you didn't say which tool you were using to enter notes.)

I don't know how many times I've tried and failed over the years to create tuplets. Come to find out that it's because you have to disable the "Check for extra notes on mouse entry" feature in order to do it.

You know, I really love Finale, but stuff like this makes me tempted to migrate to Sibelius. Really? You never thought to explain that tuplets can't be created unless this warning is disabled? When I think of all the time I've wasted trying to use this feature, it makes me angry. 

You do not have to turn "Check for extra notes on mouse entry" off. As Adrian said, it depends on how you enter the tuplet.

If you use Simple, take a look at this tutorial I wrote:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/weehrytsb4x0wa/Tuplets%20with%20Simple%20Entry.pdf?dl=0

David,

If you are determined to leave Finale (which after the years of experience you reference might not be, on reflection, something you really mean to do), a decision to choose Sibelius suggests you haven't really researched your options. If your complaint about Finale is a lack of communication, you would find the Dorico forum (and developers) much more responsive than I expect you would find Sibelius. Of course, there would be a learning curve with Dorico as with Sibelius.

>Of course, there would be a learning curve with Dorico as with Sibelius.<

Goodgawd yes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKx1wnXClcI 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-3wEC6Fj_8 

Martin Keary always promised to do a similar video on Finale but never did. He has a similar piece on MuseScore but since then, he has become the new Head of Design for Muse Group. I expect that, under his management, both MuseScore and Audacity will get better and, with MuseScore 3.6, that appears to be happening (I still can't stand it but it is a lot better). They couldn't have been worse.

Martin Keary (Tantacrul) either gave a disingenuous "review" of Dorico or simply did not familiarize himself with basic capabilities of the software; so I would not put too much stock solely into his evaluation.

Did you watch the entire thing?

Although 3.5 has come out since then and some of those issues have been addressed, I have no problem with its accuracy regarding Dorico 3. If the upcoming 4 doesn’t address many of the remaining issues, it will never get past the evaluation stage on my desk. I’ve spent enough money on an app that gets in my way and slows me down.

Finale lets me work the way I need to. Dorico, as nice as it looks, doesn’t. Its MusicXML input, although better than 3.0, still sucks. I could go on but that’s what the Dorico forum is for.

Of course I watched the whole thing. And I am not here to try to sell anyone Dorico. My point initially was that given the OP's complaints about Finale's response that Sibelius's response compared to Dorico's certainly does not make Sib a better alternative if he were committed to leaving Finale (which I doubt he will).

Back OT, Scoring Notes has a nice tutorial on Tuplets in Finale:

https://www.scoringnotes.com/tutorials/toppling-tuplets-in-finale/ 

If not yet subscribed to Scoring Notes, it's a good idea to do so and it's free.

I've landed here AFTER watching this tutorial, and I'm a fan of Jason Loffredo. But for some reason, the tuplets tool is simply NOT WORKING as it's supposed to. Do not get a crosshair. Driving me nuts… I'm with David Harris. Really FRUSTRATING.

Katherine, did you read my tutorial, with the link posted above? If you did, and you're still having problems, I'm happy to help you out by phone or Zoom. My email address is encoded in my signature.

Mike Rosen— wow, thank you for pointing out your tutorial and the offer of help. I am not using a numerical keyboard, looks like it’s worth getting one. The thing is, I have done triplets (and other tuplets) more or less without problems, but often WITH problems, and on this project I can’t get past square one… It’s wanting to do 6 over 4, so I tried to change that but the “box” wouldn’t open up. Or when it did I changed to 3/2 and then… it was the same. Messy retelling because I spent a lot of time fiddling with it to no avail. What’s your um suggestion: run out and get a number pad? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! Katharine

Forgot to say: using Mac and V27

Yes, get that USB keypad! And feel free to contact me, if you would like a quick lesson.

Many key combinations are different inside Finale than in other apps such as, say, all word processors. This causes a bit of confusion until one gets used to it.

An extended keyboard or a numerical keypad is not just a big help. On a Mac, it makes some things possible in Finale as the 3-key combinations on the short keyboard do not work.

If you get a keypad sidecar, make certain that it has both the Forward Delete and Escape keys. This has both and in the same locations as the Apple Extended Keyboard.

https://smile.amazon.com/HoRiMe-Aluminum-Numerical-External-Compatible/dp/B07HQB5CGQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa 

Mike and Mike (!) - thanks fo the expert advice. Is there a brand/model or two you recommend- for a Mac book Pro? I am looking forward to solving this hassle, with your help. If still stuck I’ll definitely knock on your door for a lesson🙏🙏🙏. Cheers, Katharine

OK ajudar saw the link to one on Amazon. Also found it here (Portual) … at twice the price … oh well. Anything to staunch the pain! Thank you both!

Meant “I just saw”…

Hi David— thanks for the heads-up. I have tried the "trick" of leaving a blank beat, but AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, at least, it's not working. Agreed: want to create, not go mad!! 

I have also tried Sibelius, but it's no better, and less adequate for contemporary music. Still, you know, a triplet is NOT REALLY NEWS!!

Gosh, maybe Finale could up their support for this issue. Apparently it's not "just me". Thanks again to all. (Number pads not  in stock, stay tuned…)

-  Katharine 

I'm so tired of saying this: With Simple Entry, and a Numberpad, tuplets are no problem, even on the last beat. Yes, if you are doing nested tuplets, or something like 14, 32ds in the space of... there will be some cleanup to do. But if you are doing "normal" tuplets, it's easy. I am happy to teach my method to anyone.

I've also just tried it with the Default Shortcut Table, so, no numberpad. It works just the same, except you use the numbers above the QWERTY line, instead of the numberpad. Katherine, and David, drop me a line, if you want some coaching.

My email is encoded in my signature.

This measure was done without a numberpad, and with no backing up, no deletions, no empty beats, etc. QWERTY keyboard only.

Impressive! OK, you're on! I will email you, THANKS! Katharine