As Far As I Can Tell, in Finale only the beginning of each Verse/Chorus/Section is automatically numbered.

To get the lyric number at the beginning of each system, add the number as an expression.

You can create a new expression category specifically for the lyric number, and customize the new category’s positioning settings so that the number is positioned vertically/horizontally, as you need it.

To speed up the workflow, program metatools for the numbers so that you can just hold down the metatool’s trigger key on the computer keyboard, and drag diagonally across the staff.

Thank you, Peter.

Wow, this is really sad.

So I created 12 expressions for lyric numbers, 1-12 :(  I didn't bother with the positions because I produce only 1-2 page lead sheets, and the positions are going to depend on the lyric baselines, which are generally different in any document.  Also, they usually change as I'm working on it :(  So I'll need to remember to add and position my lyric numbers after the project is "done", and then hope that subsequent rework does not require changing lyric baselines, which it often does :(  As you suggested, I created metatools for the numbers 1-10.  I'm not sure what you mean by drag diagonally.  Just a click works.

After all this, for my use case, I think your approach is maybe 30% less work than the the total bonehead approach of placing numbers with Tools > Text.  What a disappointment!  Me Mentally adding up all of the hours which professional users must have spent adding lyric numbers like this, I find it unbelievable that people who use Finale all day did not prevail upon MakeMusic to fix this twenty years ago.  I just submitted a support request asking that they do so.  I linked to this thread, in case anyone wants to cry out and add to the gushing of tears.

I don't see the need for numbers in each system. Each page, OK. If you have so many lyric verses that it gets confusing from system to system, maybe you should consider breaking it down into sections. But if you have 12 verses under one staff, that's too many, IMO.

I guess it isn't all that important to all those professional users.

No, I've never used as many as 12, usually 2-4.  My idea was to have them available in case some future project had 12 verses.  You see, I'd presumed that these expressions would be saved in my Library.  But just now I noticed that Custom Expressions is not one of the many checkboxes in the Save Library dialog, and sadly my expressions did not show up when I opened a new document and loaded that library.  So I just wasted 10 minutes.

I guess I'll go back to using the Text Tool as a workaround :(

I suppose this issue is not important to professional users who charge by the hour :(

If it's just 2-4 verses, you may not need it. I just had a look at a hymnal and they didn't number up to four verses. At five, they put numbers in each system.

Do you start with a template, or default doc? If you do, make the changes in the default files. Or, set up your own template with those extra expressions. Then, they'll be there when you want them; no need to mess with libraries.

… I'd presumed that these expressions would be saved in my Library.  But just now I noticed that Custom Expressions is not one of the many checkboxes in the Save Library dialog, and sadly my expressions did not show up when I opened a new document and loaded that library.  So I just wasted 10 minutes …

Did you create the number as a Shape Expression or as a Text Expression?

In the Save Library dialog you can select Shape Expressions or Text Expressions - or both.

… I created 12 expressions for lyric numbers, 1-12 :(  I didn't bother with the positions because I produce only 1-2 page lead sheets, and the positions are going to depend on the lyric baselines, which are generally different in any document …

… As you suggested, I created metatools for the numbers 1-10.  I'm not sure what you mean by drag diagonally.  Just a click works …

If you click, the expression will be positioned where you (unprecisely) clicked.

If you drag diagonally, the expression will be positioned precisely as you defined the positioning in the Expression Designer.

The precise, vertical positioning of the lyric baseline(s) can be seen in the Lyrics Tool.

In Other Words:

If you need the number positioning to be precise, drag diagonally.

Thanks again, Peter.  In Save Library didn't see those Shape Expression and Text Expression checkboxes, because I was looking for just Expressions.  But, anyhow, I always have all of the checkboxes switched ON when I Save Library.  So it just didn't work for me.

No matter, because I added it to my template as Mike suggested and that works.  I had a few Template To-Do items to attend to anyhow :)

Regarding the click vs. drag diagonally, I both work the same for me.  The expression is always placed as defined by the positioning in the Expression Designer, relative to a nearby beat.  In a 4/4 measure, for example, the expression always appears in one of four places, no matter where I click or drag.  But again, this is no matter, because each project is going to require different positions, so on a 1-2 page lead sheet it's not worth the time to program the position – I'll just do it manually.

Looking at some more published music, I agree that this requirement is apparently not as common as I had thought.  But anyhow, MakeMusic replied to my support request and have added this to their (very long, I suppose) bug tracker to fix one of these days.

Thanks again for all the help.

Thanks to Finale power user Zuill for pointing out that there actually IS an option in the Lyrics Tool for lyric numbering on individual syllables:

Lyrics menu > Adjust Syllables

Handles appear on all syllables.

Context-click on the handle of the syllable.

In the context menu, choose “Include Lyric Number”.

Not an “automatic” solution, and perhaps not easier in every situation, but worth a try.

Unlike most other context menu items the menu item “Include Lyric Number” is only available in the context menu. Hence it might not easily be found.

Peter, after all this, THAT IS INCREDIBLE.  Yes, it actually works, and it's even easier than you say because, before control-clicking on the handle, you can drag over the entire left edge of the page to make a multiple selection of the first word in the line of all lyrics on a page, then Include Lyric Number all at once.  Handy for those ubiquitous 12-lyric campfire songs, Mike :))

As far as might not easily be found, I'm jumping up and down.  Not only is it only available as a contextual menu item, I could not find it in the user manual, the Finale support staff apparently does not know about it, and calling this a syllable Adjustment is somewhat of a mental stretch.

I'm giving this feature the Honorary Zuill Second Most Difficult To Find Feature In Finale Award, right behind adding elision slurs in Spanish lyrics (although once you know it, this is much easier to do than elision slurs).

Thanks again!

These questions and answers are SUCH an important trove of resources!

I needed this very thing and voila... the answer is here. WONDROUS!

Peter, great solution. I know I'm late to comment on this, but what feature I use besides verse numbers, is that I format every other verse in italics. Now as I slowly migrate to Dorico...good luck to all.