It's probably the way you are entering the tuplet. 

Here's a link to a short tutorial I wrote. It should answer both questions.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/weehrytsb4x0wao/Tuplets%20with%20Simple%20Entry.pdf?dl=0

Hi -
I'm using an iMac (desktop) without a number pad so I am not at all sure how to do this.  Are there methods to do this with my setup?  
Thank you

Won't CTRL+5 (on the number row above the QWERTY keyboard let you set tuplets in Speedy Entry?

I do not think you need to use the numeric keypad.

On a Mac using Speedy, the option key is used to define tuplets. You don't need a separate numeric keypad for this.

1. While in Speedy entry, click on the measure you want to put tuplets in.

2. (For 16th note quintupets) press option-5. A "5" will be displayed in the Speedy frame. Now by pressing the "3" key, enter the pitches you want for the 16th notes.

For other tuplet durations press option-3 for triplets, option-6 for sextuplets, and so on.

Another option is to press "option-1" while in a measure in Speedy. This command brings up this dbx,

You can then enter the exact tuplet parameters that you need (i.e., 5 16ths in the space of 2 8ths)

Thanks for everyone's help.  I was able to solve this using the simple entry.  I didn't realize you need to shift-click the first note of the tuplet. Not sure why this would be necessary, but apparently so.  I'm dumbfounded by why the example I gave (two "5"s over the quintuplet and a 128th rest(!) would even be possible.  If that is not a glitch I don't know what would qualify as one.

Having entered tuplets for 15 years without ever needing to shift-click, I have to assume it’s because you’re on laptop. 

Are you using the Laptop Shortcut Set?

Another option might be to get an inexpensive USB numberpad.

It’s not a glitch. You did something the program didn’t like, either in how you entered or how you set up the tuplet. The documentation on tuplets is pretty poor. (At least, it used to be. Since I figured out the method in my tutorial, I never went back to check what they say.)

Some music requires nested tuplets. I am guessing you stumbled into that in your initial example. It is not a bug.

As I stated before, I'm not on a laptop, I'm using an iMac desktop.  My keyboard does not have a number pad.  To test out the explanations given, I set up a new document and simply tried entering tuplets with the tuplet tool. I did not shift click, etc.  I used "7 16ths in the space of 2 eighths." The first beat of 7 is fine; the fourth beat was not.  Clearly I am missing something here, but I do feel it is strange that something like this could even be possible.

Set it up as seven 16ths in the space of four 16ths. I know it's the same thing, but it seems to work better. (An extended keyboard is available from Apple. It costs, but it's worth it for me. I use the number pad a lot in Finale. Or, as I suggested earlier, get a USB numberpad.)

Seven 16ths in the space of four 16ths.  This is why I curse Finale a lot.

William McClelland,

I notice that your problem comes, when you try to end a measure with a tuplet.

This issue (= ending a measure with a tuplet) only occurs in the Simple Entry Tool (never in Speedy Entry Tool).

With the Simple Entry Tool there are several ways to enter a tuplet.

As you can see above, Mike Rosen can end a measure with a tuplet.

Just a wild guess:

You have the option {Check for Extra Notes} toggled on - right?

Toggle {Check for Extra Notes} off, and try (again) to enter a tuplet at the end of a measure..

Thanks Peter.  This seems to do it.  I appreciate your help.

I don’t do that. Never have.

William,

Please give me the exact step-by-step what you have been doing to enter a tuplet. 

>>"I don’t do that. Never have."

Not so! I found a way that works, that's all. And I'm happy to share it with anyone who asks.

I know that, Mike. If everyone you have helped  just with this tuplet entry over the years were to post a thank you, this would be a long thread indeed.

<blush>