Old versions of Finale (pre-F25) would import PDFs via SmartScore Lite, and generally gave less than desirable results. That function was removed. Now, you will have to use one of the other scanning programs on the market. I use SmartScore 64 Pro. I import (or scan) my PDF, and correct the inevitable errors which are very easy to spot and fix. It's this step which makes the difference, from the Lite version.Then, I export and XML, and import that into Finale.

I'm happy to discuss this with you by email or phone, if you want more details. My email is encoded in my signature, below.

Hi MIke!  Thank you so much for your detailed reply!  I started to get the feeling that I needed something in order to convert files into .xml files but had no idea how to go about that.  Would be really nice if Finale could add that in at some point because I can't imagine that there are so few of us that need this. 

I'm continuing with our discussion in this format in case it can be helpful to others. 

So let me recap what I think you're saying:

• Obtain SmartScore 64 Pro or something similar.
• Import or scan the .pdf into that software.
• Correct errors that occurred during that software's reading of the file.
• Export as an .xml to my destination file folder.
• Import that .xml file into Finale to continue my work.

If you would please offer edits or agree with my list that would be great!

Very grateful for your help :)

That’s it. Can you send me one of your files? 

Sure!  Here it comes....

If (and only if) your pdf files were generated in a notation software, PdfToMusic Pro can convert them into MusicXML files, which Finale can import.

The test file that Frankie sent me worked just fine. Maybe 10 minutes to get it into Finale, with few corrections needed.

Mike Herr:  Unfortunately that's not my situation.  All files were simply scanned or sent to me in a .pdf format, so I need an .xml converter.  Thank you for that information though!

Frankie