Mike,

What would happen if you exported the song as XML and imported it into a new document? The only thing I can think of (since you are likely as knowledgeable about Finale as I am) is that something has scrubbed the MIDI in a way that neutralized the tempo changes.

Thanks for the idea, Adrian. As it happens, I tried clearing the MIDI data, first. That worked fine. I’ve used that before, but not often enough to where it becomes an automatic thought.

Mike, Can you instruct me how to clear the midi data? I'm experiencing the same issues! Thanks, Brian

Mike, Can you instruct me how to clear the midi data? I'm experiencing the same issues! Thanks, Brian

I'm not Mike but I just happened by...

Select the music, select the menu item Edit/Clear Selected Items and then select MIDI Data.

Thanks, Vaughn. I did this, however, the file still does not follow the tempo changes! BC

… Select the music, select the menu item Edit/Clear Selected Items and then select MIDI Data …

… I did this, however, the file still does not follow the tempo changes …

This works for me:

Select the music, select the menu item Edit/Clear Selected Items and then de-select everything except Tempo Changes

When you have cleared Tempo Changes, expressions with playback effect Tempo will “take over”.

Also, the expressions will “override” tempo in the Playback Controls.

To set playback tempo via Playback Controls, remove the Tempo playback effect from the expressions (or clear the expressions).

I tried this to no effect. My opening temp is 120 bpm. 35 measures in the tempo assigned is 40 bpm, but the playback continues through.  There is a rit. at ms 33 it DOES follow. Then it goes a tempo at 35 rather than dropping down to 40.  BC

Are you assigning that tempo change with an expression?

yes!

Please show us an image of the Playback Tab of the Expression Tool for the tempo expression that is not taking effect.

It should look something like this:

Win 10, Fin 2012

Will the "edit/clear MIDI data" work with 2012?

I've have a rit. in a score for ages that stopped working a while ago.  I had only assigned it as an expression, nothing fancy.

I didn't understand that the "set to value" is the "goal" value.  Right?

If you're using Human Playback in your file, then HP simply understands "ritard" or "rit.". In that case, you should choose "set to value" and enter "0" as the value. You should not choose a shape.

Just open up a blank default file and look at how the playback is defined and make your ritard use the same info.