1.1 Working with files
File
This topic explains saving scores in Sibelius format, and (for more advanced users) how to access
files containing custom Sibelius settings (e.g. house styles). The other topics in this chapter will tell
you how to share files with other people, whether or not they have Sibelius, and how to import and
export files in various formats.
Creating a score
There are several ways to start a new score in Sibelius – b 1.4 Starting a new score.
File size
Sibelius files typically occupy around 20K plus 1K per page (excluding any imported graphics),
even for band or orchestral music. This means you can fit literally millions of pages on your hard
disk, and even huge scores can easily be sent by email. So even if your name is J.S. Bach, disk space
is unlikely ever to present a problem when using Sibelius.
Saving
Saving works just like in any other program, using File > Save As (shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S or
xXS) and File > Save (shortcut Ctrl+S or XS). In addition to being able to save Sibelius scores,
you can also export other formats, such as MusicXML, MIDI, audio, and graphics; for more details,
see the relevant topics in this Reference Guide. To save lyrics, see Export Lyrics on page 503.
A convenient place to save is the Scores folder that Sibelius has helpfully created for you. On
Windows, the Scores folder is created inside your My Documents folder; on Mac, it is inside
your user Documents folder.
You can change which folder is the default for saving scores on the Saving and Exporting page of
File > Preferences.
When you next open the score after saving, it will open at the point at which you were working on
it when you saved, with the window in the same position, the same panels and windows visible,
and even at the same zoom factor.
You have complete control over to what extent Sibelius restores your previous working environment
when reopening a score you have previously saved – b 1.28 Display settings.
Auto-save
Sibelius can automatically save your score at timed intervals so that, should your computer crash,
the most work you can lose is a few minutes’ worth. Rather than saving your actual file, Sibelius
makes a copy of your score and saves it into a special hidden folder.
If Sibelius doesn’t shut down correctly (for example, if your computer crashes or there is an
interruption in power), the next time you start the program, it checks the special folder, and if it
finds any scores in that folder, you will be asked if you want to restore them.
When you close Sibelius normally, it deletes all the files in the special folder – so it’s essential that
you don’t save any files in there yourself!