I've had the same error. 

EXCEPT, the program actually opens under different User logins (I have one for each of my kids so they don't mess up my settings). 

I'm trying to find the solution to this problem as well, so hopefully this will help bump the question back up top. 

If you do a search, you will see a number of causes and solutions. Many but not all, are a result of an installation in other than the default location.

I would search the phrase and see if any of it applies to your situation.

So I've discovered that iCloud made my Documents folder vanish, which apparently, Finale is looking for in order to run. I've tried disabling iCloud to have it reappear, which unfortunately did not happen. If I find a way to resolve my issue, I'll post it here. 

(Using a MacBook Pro 2013 model, Mojave)

During setup, if you're not careful, you can send all of your work files (Documents, Pictures, Music etc.) to iCloud. Why Apple thinks that's a good idea and why they make it confusing, I don't know.

Apple has support documents but, sometimes, it's best to get someone on the phone. An OS update is one of many things that qualify for free tech support call. Start here and navigate to the screen that lets you schedule a call back—normally within 10 minutes.

https://support.apple.com/ 

If you haven't found this article yet, it may help.

http://osxdaily.com/2017/07/06/disable-icloud-desktop-documents-mac/ 

Boom. Problem solved. No lie. 

This is an issue related to iCloud syncing the Documents and Desktop folder. In the User Folder, show the hidden files (command+shift+.) and look for a Documents.alias file. 

That alias file is a reference that is put there by the OS when it moves the Documents and Desktop folder to the iCloud Drive location. Apparently when you stop syncing to iCloud, the OS may mistakenly think that the alias file IS the documents folder, even though it's just a place holder or reference file. You'll know that this is potentially is your issue if you've tried to rename/create a new Documents folder but you get the error that it's "Invisible and cannot be replaced". 

Find that Document.alias folder and delete it. Then you can create your new Documents folder (you'll know its worked when the image on the folder appears similar to the other OS created files). 

The only thing is, I deleted it in safe mode. I'm not 100% sure that you have to be there in order to fix it. I've searched for two-three weeks for a solution and I never saw the alias file mentioned, so I hope this helps SOME people out there. 

>This is an issue related to iCloud syncing the Documents and Desktop folder. In the User Folder, show the hidden files (command+shift+.) and look for a Documents.alias file. ...<

Thanks for posting that. Let's hope it helps others.

>The only thing is, I deleted it in safe mode. I'm not 100% sure that you have to be there in order to fix it<

Booting into Safe Mode (hold the Shift key) is absolutely unnecessary for this. It rebuilds corrupted paths and resets caches to default. Before OS X, it was called Rebuild Desktop and was done the same way. I've noticed that installs and version updates of High Sierra and Mojave leave generic alias icons sometimes, a symptom of corrupt pathways. Booting into Safe Mode fixes this. Reboot normally when done.

Pressing Command Shift . (period) will hide and unhide all hidden folders on a Mac since Sierra. Very useful but it includes hidden System files—often renaming or deleting even one can hose your Mac causing you to need a complete restore from backup.

So, if you reveal hidden folders and files, do what you need to do; don't touch any others and then hide them when you're done.

Yup. Should have mentioned that in my original post. I’ll edit it so that some poor soul doesn’t do more harm than good.

AT the risk of repeating other user's issues; I was getting the 'unhandled exception caught' error on my Mac OS Catalina (10.15.5). I just downloaded Finale 26.3.1.643. Still getting the error and can't open the App. Is there a fix for this? Thanks.

Joel Sadagursky,

Please specify the steps you've already taken (to solve the problem), so that we can rule out things.

I trashed the older version of Finale. Installed the latest version as noted. Restarted the mac. When I tried to open the app, I got the exception error.

J

You have not tried the advice mentioned earlier in this (old) thread?

Here are some other things to try:

1) As a test (not a solution), try a brand new (Mac OS) user account.

If the problem does not happen in the new user account, then the culprit must be something in the old user account.

2) Try trashing the Finale Preferences file.

Could not hurt.

Did you install in the default location and reboot?

Hi,

So progress of sorts. I created a new mac os user and Finale opened! But still no luck with the real me.

So how do I trouble shoot the (real me) user with all my music files, work, mail, etc?

Thanks
J

… how do I trouble shoot the (real me) user with all my music files, work, mail, etc? …

It is very unlikely that the problem is caused by a Finale .musx document.

Also, the culprit is probably not a word processing document, nor a database document, nor a spreadsheet document, nor a graphic file, nor …

You should rather look at the system extensions (programs) in your user account.

Do you have any (third party) system extensions that could affect Finale?

Are you talking about other program extensions outside of FInale (complete Adobe Creative Cloud suite, Microsoft suite, etc) that may affect Finale? Or third party extensions within Finale? I have not downloaded any third-party extensions for Finale. As i noted, it worked fine when using the new test user. 

It can be any extension that is incompatible.

That a new Users account fixes it indicates the problem is in the old Users account and not in the System. This is a good thing and makes it easier to diagnose.

Console.app is the normal utility I use for this. Look for items trying to load and failing.

Joel;

My issue that I reported early on was caused by iCloud. I turned off (or on, can’t remember) syncing and the alias file created was not communicating with finale.

I actually called Apple and reported the solution posted above. Not sure what came of it since I ended up playing phone tag with one of their programmers. I would recommend you try looking for that hidden alias file using Mike Halloran’s instructions.

Hello,

I've just updated from Finale 2014 to Finale 27 and when I try to launch the new software I get this "Unhandled exception caught" message. I've tried to re-install, I've created a new user account on my Mac to try and launch Finale from that, and I've booted in Safe Mode. 

Through Safe Mode I was able to launch the application, but not in the other two cases. In Safe Mode there was an error message about the audio engine, but at least I could do the xml exports I had to do urgently.

But of course, I'd like to run Finale 27 smoothly signed in on my Mac as usual.

I run Catalina 10.15.7, and I don't use iCloud synchronization/back up. 
Any ideas what might be causing this?

Did you install everything when you installed Finale 27? Installation is normally a three-step process (Finale, Aria Player, Sound Files) and some folks have thought they were finished when the program installed and skip the other two. That often does not work well.

So, Ive had this same error pop up when I try to start the program and I have macOS Sonoma. After reading the above commetn, is it possible I just forgot to download the Aria player and sound files and if there is a way to check that?

The paid version of Finale, found in your Users Account, downloads two installers and both must be run. Occasionally, a user will see the second and dismiss it thinking it was run already. This is harder to do with 27 as it is clear what the second installer is there for. You can easily run the installers again—doesn't do any harm.

The demo version of Finale does not include that second Aria and GIFF Installer.