So 26 closes when you open or try to import a MusicXML file. Ii isn't clear whether you've tried both ways or if you're calling open by both names. Import is when Finale is already open and you select a file from the Import menu.

Is this a new file or is it one you've successfully imported before? If new, how did you get the file? Sometimes these things make a difference.

When I click an xml-file in Windows, it automatically opens with Finale, but then immediately Finale shuts down again; also, when I start Finale first, and then use the import menu button, as soon as I select a file, Finale shuts down. So, either way, it seems Finale doesn't want to have anything to do with xml... The xml files I (try to) work with may be from musescore, cpdl or imslp; always worked like clockwork, until recently (after the re-install).

Tom Koer,

An idea:

Perhaps the culprit is some “file error” in the xml files you tried to import?

As a test, try exporting from a Finale document as a MusicXML file.

Then, import that MusicXML into Finale.

If the import works, then there is reason to suspect some file error in the xml files you tried to import.

I was going to ask Tom what happens when he tries to open a pre-existing Finale (.musx) file.

As has been suggested, export and import a file—see what happens. 

Re-run the installer and reboot. See if anything changes. 

I've not peeked behind the curtain into 26 but I know that 25 uses Java run times to handle MusicXML. I'm guessing that's where the problem lies which is why a reinstall and reboot is likely to fix this. If you didn't reboot after the last installation, try that first.

If nothing changes, then get this to Tech Support via the Submit a request link at the top of the page. This is not a common problem and can be fixed.

Thank you for your messages. I followed Peter's suggestion. After the Export button, choosing MusicXml, Finale shuts down immediately (other choices, such as Audio or PDF, work ok). It's as if "my" Finale and MusicXML had a row, and don't want to know each other anymore. Answering J Adrian's question, opening pre-existing Finale files, works fine, both for .musx and .mus. So that leaves Mike's suggestion; although I assume there must have been reboots since I re-installed the program, I will try that first; if that doesn't fix the problem, I will re-install. And if that doesn't help, well, I'll be back... Thank you so far!

I am having the same issue with XML files and V. 25.  It doesn't matter if I try to import from SmartScore, or open the file directly in Finale, the program just hangs up then shuts down. Attempting the uninstall, reinstall and reboot now. 

Tom - are you using Mac or PC?  If PC, what version of Windows?  I'm wondering if one of the newest updates to Windows caused a problem.   

Tom was using Finale 26 over Windows 10.

That a Win10 update caused this would be my guess. He never reported back if reinstalling Finale and rebooting fixed this. Still my recommendation to try first. If that doesn't do it, use the Submit a request link to get this directly into Support.

There is a difference between Open and Import. Please be clear as to which one you are using, so we can give you better advice. With SmartScore, I have never been able to send it directly to Finale and have it open. I save the .enf as .XML, opened Finale, and used File > Import > Music XML... to bring the file into Finale. Works every time.

I'm on a Mac, so Windows may not act the same.

With previous versions of Finale, I never had issues sending the XML files directly from Smart Score to Finale (Windows versions). It always worked like a charm!  However, It's been quirky since I upgraded to V. 25, and recently become more problematic and consistently crashing whenever I tried to do it the same way.  Makes me think that recent Windows updates must have caused the glitches that are now happening.  

I followed the suggestion yesterday and uninstalled/reinstalled, and I was able to get it to work by opening Finale first and doing the File-import as you stated above.  But it was still a problem trying to send to Finale directly from SmartScore.  So, I guess I'll need to get used to importing from within Finale!  Hoping for no more problems going forward!

I have to import from within Finale, too.

Problematic? I think that sending directly from SmartScore flat out doesn't work after 2014.5. Doesn't work for SS X2 Pro either — at least not for me. I'm guessing that it has something to do with it being 32 bit only. I'm on a Mac.

Last year, Musitek said that there was a 64 bit version in the works on their FB page but I've not heard a peep since. I think they want to move everyone to that iOS/Android version. Perhaps... There's competition in that field now. I's like to see a 64bit version of SmartScore for the desktop.

For the moment, only one of my Macs will get the upgrade to Catalina. Still trying to decide if it's my laptop or desktop. It won't be both for quite awhile, however.

!!!PLEASE HELP!!!

Ever since I re-installed Finale on my new computer I can no longer import XML files that I imported without any problems when I was using Finale on my old computer (and yes, I mean import).

The error message is:

String index out of range: -1

What to do??

Thank you in advance for any helpful hints!!

What version of Finale? Mac? Windows? We ain’t mind readers, y’know.

You might want to send this in to Tech Support.

Finale PrintMusic 2010 for Windows

You might consider downloading the demo of a more current version of PM or Finale, and see if that works.