Two ideas:

1) Change the size of the noteheads (instead of changing the note size).

2) Take a look at the expression’s category.

Since you are talking about a tempo expression, I suppose that the expression belongs to the category Tempo Marks, right?

- Does the expression use the Fonts and Positioning for its category (= Tempo Marks)?

You can “reset” an expression to the category’s Fonts and Positioning.

There are two types of expression categories:

- categories with a Score List (e. g. Tempo Marks, Tempo Alterations, Rehearsal Marks)

- categories without a Score List (e. g. Dynamics, Expressive Text, Technique Text)

You can create new categories by duplicating an existing categories.

To create a new {Score List} category, duplicate an existing {Score List} category.

Usually expressions from {Score List} categories do not resize with the notes.

On The Other Hand, expressions from {non Score List} categories can scale with the notes.

In the dialog box Expression Assignment you have the option “Scale Expression with Attached Note”.

Hi Peter,  Thnx so much for your help.  Regarding your comments above.  #1 does not help me in this situation. #2 did indeed guide me to the solution which I found in the expression designer. All I had to do was check the "fixed size" box. Even though I've solved this issue I still don't totally understand the concept behind expressions using the Fonts and Positioning for its' category. I will search thru the manual and any other resources I can find to master this.  Might you have an idea exactly where I can find this info?

Thnx!

I still don't totally understand the concept behind expressions using the Fonts and Positioning for its' category. I will search thru the manual and any other resources I can find to master this. Might you have an idea exactly where I can find this info?

Take look at the Category Designer.

It is in the Category Designer that you make the settings for each expression category - including settings for Fonts and Positioning.

The basic idea is this:

Change the Font for a category - and the Font will get changed for all the expressions in the category.

Change the Positioning for a category - and the Positioning will get changed for all the expressions in the category.

In Other Words:

All the expressions in the category are “linked” to the settings for the category.

You can - in case you wish to do so - “un-link” an individual, specific expression so that it e. g. uses another font than the category’s default font.

Thnx for your help Peter! That all makes total sense. I experimented with it and I totally get it. I've been using Finale for years but there are many features that I haven't delved into or mastered. I have other questions.  Would you mind helping me with a few other things?

I am sure everyone here in the forum will help you “with a few other things” in Finale.

All you have to do is ask.