{"id":837,"date":"2018-10-15T16:53:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norfont.com\/en\/?page_id=837"},"modified":"2026-10-06T13:02:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T13:02:26","slug":"font-specification-and-installation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/norfont.com\/en\/font-specification-and-installation\/","title":{"rendered":"Font Installation & SMuFL Setup for Dorico, Finale, MuseScore & Sibelius"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Install and use NorFonts music and text fonts on macOS and Windows.<\/strong> This guide covers standard OpenType installation as well as SMuFL setup for Dorico, Finale v27+ and MuseScore 4.6+. Sibelius users should use the dedicated NorFonts Sibelius editions listed on each product page.<\/p>\n

Most NorFonts music-font packages include the files and metadata required for the notation software named on the product page. Always extract the downloaded ZIP file before running an installer or installing fonts manually.<\/p>\n

Install NorFonts on macOS<\/h2>\n
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  1. Download your NorFonts ZIP file and extract it in Finder.<\/li>\n
  2. If the package includes a macOS installer, run the supplied installer. This is the preferred method for SMuFL packages because it can also place the required metadata files in their proper locations.<\/li>\n
  3. If you are installing OpenType files manually, double-click each .otf<\/strong> file and choose Install<\/strong> in Font Book, or drag the files into Font Book.<\/li>\n
  4. Quit and reopen Dorico, Finale, MuseScore, Sibelius or any other application that was running during installation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If macOS blocks a trusted NorFonts package:<\/strong> Control-click the installer in Finder and choose Open<\/strong>. If macOS still prevents it from opening, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security<\/strong> and use the available Open Anyway<\/strong> option for that installer.<\/p>\n

    Install NorFonts on Windows 10 or Windows 11<\/h2>\n
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    1. Download the ZIP file and choose Extract All<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    2. If the package includes a Windows installer, run it. For SMuFL packages, this is the preferred method because the installer can also place the required metadata files.<\/li>\n
    3. For manual OpenType installation, right-click the .otf<\/strong> files and choose Install<\/strong> or Install for all users<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    4. Restart your notation application after installation so it can refresh its font list.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What is the SMuFL metadata file?<\/h2>\n

      SMuFL \u2014 Standard Music Font Layout \u2014 defines a common organization for music symbols. Applications such as Dorico and MuseScore use SMuFL metadata to recognize the font correctly and to obtain information such as glyph anchors and recommended engraving settings. NorFonts SMuFL packages intended for these applications include the corresponding metadata needed for the font family.<\/p>\n

      If a music font is installed but does not appear inside your notation application, first quit and reopen the application. If it still does not appear, reinstall the complete NorFonts package rather than installing only the visible .otf<\/strong> file.<\/p>\n

      Using NorFonts in Dorico<\/h2>\n
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      1. Install the complete NorFonts SMuFL package, then restart Dorico.<\/li>\n
      2. Open your Dorico project.<\/li>\n
      3. In current Dorico versions, choose Library > Music Fonts<\/strong>. Older Dorico versions used Engrave > Music Fonts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      4. Select the NorFonts family you want to use.<\/li>\n
      5. When appropriate, enable Use font’s recommended engraving options<\/strong>. You can also choose whether Dorico updates the associated text fonts when the music font changes.<\/li>\n
      6. Confirm the change and review the score. Text appearance can be refined separately through Dorico’s Font Styles and Paragraph Styles if required.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Browse NorFonts for Dorico<\/a><\/p>\n

        Using NorFonts in Finale v27+<\/h2>\n
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        1. Install the complete NorFonts SMuFL package and restart Finale.<\/li>\n
        2. Open the score and choose Document > Set Default Music Font\u2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        3. Select the required NorFonts SMuFL font and confirm.<\/li>\n
        4. If your NorFonts package includes Finale libraries or additional setup files, use the files supplied with that product for the intended appearance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Finale v27 introduced SMuFL font support, which is why NorFonts SMuFL editions specify Finale v27+ compatibility.<\/p>\n

          Using NorFonts in MuseScore 4.6+<\/h2>\n

          MuseScore 4.6+ can use third-party SMuFL music fonts when the music font and its SMuFL metadata are installed correctly. After installing the complete NorFonts package, restart MuseScore and select the desired music-symbol font from the score style settings. If the product includes a MuseScore style file, load the supplied style for the settings associated with that font.<\/p>\n

          Browse NorFonts SMuFL Music Fonts<\/a><\/p>\n

          Using NorFonts in Sibelius<\/h2>\n

          Sibelius uses dedicated NorFonts editions rather than the same SMuFL package used for Dorico, Finale and MuseScore. Choose the product specifically labelled for Sibelius and install the included music and text fonts according to the package instructions.<\/p>\n

          Browse NorFonts for Sibelius<\/a><\/p>\n

          Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n