When creating expressions, font size is too small in DISPLAY

[bj nick]

When I create expressions (something like, "very light attacks," "spirited," etc.), the font size for the expression as seen on the score/parts is fine, but the font size in the "expression selection" is so tiny I can barely make them out. How do I adjust this? Thanks!

[miker]

I find the easiest way is to duplicate, and then edit, an existing expression in that category.

[N Grossingink]

I'm afraid there's no fix, as far as I know. What size are your expressions? 12 point type generally looks OK. Smaller sizes may be problematic. Maybe setting your monitor to a slightly lower resolution?

Here's what mine looks like (12pt expressions).

[bkshepard]

I think what the OP is referring to is shown perfectly in N Grossingink's image above with #197. It's not that the font itself is small, it's that Finale tries to show the whole text inside that one cell. Single words and short phrases are fine. It's when you have a marking that is multiple words long that it becomes unreadable.

[motet]

I think you're right, or like cell 22 below. I'm not sure how they could make it better, though. Maybe hovering the mouse could have a blown-up version pop up.

[mmike]

In the upper right-hand corner of the Expression Selection screen are small minus and plus signs. These will adjust the sizes you see on that screen (and has nothing to do with the actual font sizes of the expressions), it's a purely visual feature. Or do I misunderstand your problem somehow? Same thing, by the way, on the Articulation Selection screen, except there the minus and plus signs are on the lower right corner.

[michelp]

Maybe hovering the mouse could have a blown-up version pop up.

Good idea !

[wessmusic]

Maybe setting your monitor to a slightly lower resolution?

+1

And together with N Grossingink's practical solution, I would suggest to copy the "Text" content and past it in above positioned "Description" field, because the long sentences are absolutely unreadable and in order to get some kind of hint, it would be good to catch at least the first words of your or composer's direction.

Here are two samples:

... and that's the result:

Best,
Wess

[bj nick]

Thanks for these helpful responses. I'm going to try these over the next couple days.

[bj nick]

Ok, it seems like there's no ideal solution, so I'm thinking the best option for me is the suggestion to use the + - option. It does mean a bunch of scrolling around, since you don't see more than a couple at a time, but it works when I need longer expressions. Going forward, I'll definitely strive to make expressions as brief as possible.

[mmike]

I of course don't know what size monitor you are using, but the Expression Selection screen can also be increased in size by select-clicking-dragging its borders so you can see more ...

[bj nick]

Out of town for a couple days but I will definitely try that when I get back. Thanks for the suggestion.

[miker]

You can change the description to something that fits in the frame better, that you would recognize.

[motet]

The description isn't shrunk, though. The problem is that you can't look at a list of all the descriptions--you have to select the expression first.

[miker]

You are correct, sir. My bad!

[bj nick]

mmike, that seems to be the answer! I just enlarged the dimensions and now I can see everything perfectly (don't know I didn't think of that before.) I tried a few different documents and it seems to hold the new default size, so I'm good. Thanks everybody.