Nothing good, I’m afraid. I just assume the lyrics - even if just a single line - are going to be messed up. Whenever I bring anything into Finale, even if it’s an XML from SmartScore I do it without text or lyrics. It’s just easier to enter the lyrics from scratch. In fact, when I’m using SmartScore, I run the recognition without text. 

If you already have the lyrics in another file, paste them into the lyrics window and flow them in.

Not enough information. You’re exporting. Ok, what level and what is importing? Are you exporting the best version for the receiving app? If Finale 2014.5 or earlier, is the Dolet 7 plugin being used to make them compatible with 3.1 (released with the 25.4 update)?

Finale 27 is now at version 4 which has promised many improvements including lyric handling but at this moment, 27 is the only app that supports it. The only way to test MusicXML 4 right now is to export from and into 27. You select the export level in Preferences—I can post screen shots if necessary but I’m on my iPad at the moment.

It would be interesting to export your doc via v.4 and import back into 27 — if different, send that into MM Support via the Submit a request link at the top of the page. Although Michael Good now works for MakeMusic, he has no control over how other apps implement it. If 27 imports properly, you’re at the mercy of the other app’s developers.

MusicXML is not a feature that an app uses or doesn’t. It’s a toolkit and what features are implemented and how well they’re utilized depends on each app’s developer. I’ve found no two apps handle import the same. Sibelius users are still waiting for xml 3.1 support 4 years after its 2017 release. I think Notion is at 3.0 but its import is quite good compared to many others. Dorico’s handling of it… they keep promising to improve and users keep waiting. Overture gets better with every update but those haven’t been seen in awhile. And so it goes.

Saw this on Facebook this morning. Mr. Good isn't just the VP… , he invented MusicXML.

Thanks for the information.  I've not used MusicXML before.  It is requested for the coral wiki at CPDL.org and I'm trying to comply.  Right now I'm using Finale 27 with version 4.0 of MusicXML for both export and import. (Tried v. 3, too.)  Simple lyrics (one verse) generally come our fine.  Several verses, too, if there are the same syllables in each verse and part.  

I get the impression that the results I'm getting are perhaps what I should expect at this point.  Anyone who takes my MXL files from  the site would have to correct the lyrics with their own import software based on the PDF that I also provide.  That works for me.   I just thought that if the round trip using only Finale 27 had a problem, you'd want to know.

Thanks again.  I will submit the case that Mike suggested. 

> I just thought that if the round trip using only Finale 27 had a problem, you'd want to know.<

Of course we want to know. We're volunteers and not MM employees. The more we know, the more everyone benefits.

> I will submit the case…<

Yes and please let us know what response you get — especially if you get a setting change or workaround that helps.