> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/basics/opensaveexportprint.md).
# Open/Save/Export/Print
## Native format compatibility
[MuseScore native format](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#musescore-native-format) (\*.mscz and \*.mscx) are **backward compatible**: MuseScore 4 opens MuseScore 3's \*.mscz without error.
MuseScore native format **has never been forward compatible**, see [forum discussion](https://musescore.org/en/node/344116#comment-1171547). Although [partial data retrieval](https://musescore.org/en/node/341739#comment-1164447) is still possible as of MuseScore 4.0.2, you should not rely on it for score data integrity. [Some features present in MuseScore 3 have not (yet) been included in MuseScore 4](https://musescore.org/en/node/334701), and internal data conversion occurs when you open a older version file with a newer version program and then overwrite the file using the save function.
Some users find it useful to keep all data intact by [creating seperate folders to store score files designated for editing on different Musescore versions](https://musescore.org/en/node/348139), it is recommended to **duplicate** files before opening them as required.
## File menu
In the **File** menu you can find options for opening, saving, exporting and printing your file:
## Open
Apart from [native format files](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#musescore-native-format) (\*.mscz and \*.mscx), MuseScore can also open [MusicXML](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#musicxml-musicxml-xml), [compressed MusicXML](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#compressed-musicxml-mxl) and [MIDI](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#midi-mid-midi-kar) files, as well as a variety of files in other [formats](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#share-with-other-music-software).
To open any supported file:
1. Choose one of the following options:
* Press Ctrl+O.
* Click on the "Load score" icon on the left side of the toolbar area.
* From the menu bar, select **File -> Open...**.
2. Select a file and click **Open**; or simply double-click a file.
**Open recent** allows you to choose from a list of recently-opened scores.
## Save
**Save**, **Save As…**, **Save a Copy…** and **Save Selection…** allow you to save native MuseScore files (.mscz and .mscx).
* **Save**: Save current score to file.
* **Save As...**: Save current score to new file.
* **Save a Copy...**: Save current score to new file, but continue to edit original file.
* **Save Selection...**: Save selected measures to new file.
* **Save Online...**: To save and share your scores on the web at [MuseScore.com](http://musescore.com/?utm_source=handbook). For details, see [Share scores online](/3/basics/share-scores-online.md).
## Export
**Export...** allows you to create non-MuseScore files, such as PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, and [various audio and image formats](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md). In the **Export** dialog, you can choose which format to export to.
* **Export...**: Export current score to format of your choice.\\
\
Here you can also select whether to export parts and which
MuseScore remembers which format you picked the last time and makes that the default for the next time.
## Print
**Print...** allows to print your MuseScore file directly to a printer from MuseScore. Depending on your printer you will have different options, but generally you can define the page range, number of copies and collation.
If you have a PDF printer installed, you could also "export" to PDF using **Print**, but it's usually better to use the native PDF option under [Export](#export) for more accurate rendition. **Note**: For this to work properly with Adobe PDF, make sure to uncheck "Rely on system fonts only, do not use document fonts" in Printer properties.
## See also
* [File format](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md)
* [Part extraction](/3/advanced-topics/parts.md)
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