# Open/Save/Export/Print

## Native format compatibility

<figure><img src="https://1928698062-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5NUiVQIqbPkgQim8AxPy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7c591fb50f81322ae82dfa9f4d26b6afa7839e51%2Fopenms4.png?alt=media" alt="Openms4"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

[MuseScore native format](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#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:

<figure><img src="https://1928698062-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5NUiVQIqbPkgQim8AxPy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-097ebec89986ad4cab4543ea9c72a31ed0873144%2FFile_Menu_EN.png?alt=media" alt="File menu"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Open

Apart from [native format files](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#musescore-native-format) (\*.mscz and \*.mscx), MuseScore can also open [MusicXML](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#musicxml-musicxml-xml), [compressed MusicXML](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#compressed-musicxml-mxl) and [MIDI](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#midi-mid-midi-kar) files, as well as a variety of files in other [formats](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats#share-with-other-music-software).

To open any supported file:

1. Choose one of the following options:
   * Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd>.
   * 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](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/basics/share-scores-online).

## Export

**Export...** allows you to create non-MuseScore files, such as PDF, MusicXML, MIDI, and [various audio and image formats](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats). In the **Export** dialog, you can choose which format to export to.

* **Export...**: Export current score to format of your choice.\\

  <figure><img src="https://1928698062-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5NUiVQIqbPkgQim8AxPy%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-80ce848217cae7070667f9ccc054e29bf6e01f66%2FExport_dialog_en.png?alt=media" alt="Export dialog"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

  \
  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](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/file-formats)
* [Part extraction](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/parts)
