Thanks! I was going crazy, but then (probably as you were writing your reply) I tried the “obvious” Xhalfdim and it worked. For this particular piece I don’t want to use the Ø so I didn’t set it in engrave options.

I am surprised that they don’t accept the word “flat” in that context and require the flat symbol. I haven’t had the need to enter accidentals as text for ages and totally forgot how. Does it require a font change, or is there a shortcut? I want to try your solution.
Thanks again!
Ed