How to Open MDI (Microsoft Document Imaging) Format with Office 2007
When using Microsoft Office 2003 System Suite, you may see a printer named Microsoft Office Document Image Writer in your list of printers. In a situation such as when you don’t have access to a printer, but must print out some transient documents such as booking confirmation for concert, flight or train tickets, or receipt for online purchase, or you simply want to keep a soft copy of the documents in unmodifiable format so that the file can later be printed elsewhere, you can make sure of MS Office Document Image Writer by printing to this virtual printer which will subsequently create a file with .MDI extension.
MDI is a proprietary file format of Microsoft for storing raster images of scanned documents together with optional annotations or metadata, and can only be produced or read by certain Microsoft software, such as Microsoft Office Document Imaging (MODI) module included in Microsoft Office 2003 and later. However, when you upgrade to Windows Vista and Office 2007, or bring the MDI files via USB flash drive or email to another computer with only Office 2007, you will encounter an error of “Windows cannot open this file”, and subsequently ask you to either let Windows to go online to look it up automatically, or manually select from a list of programs that are installed on computer.
The problem happens because “Microsoft Document Image Writer” feature is not installed by default when you run Office 2007 setup. So in order to open and view or print the MDI files with Office 2007 installed, try one of the following workaround or resolution.
Firstly, you can insert the file or drag and drop the MDI file into a OneNote page to view it instantly.
Second is a permanent solution, by installing Microsoft Document Imaging Writer and its corresponding support for the file format.
- Go to Control Panel, select “Uninstall a program” link under Programs section.”
- High Microsoft Office 2007 (it may show Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Small Business, Home and Student, etc).
- Click on “Change” located on the navigation link near the top of the window.
- Select “Add or Remove Features”, then click “Continue”.
- Expand “Office Tools” section.
- Click on the drop down list for “Microsoft Office Document Imaging” and select “Run all from My Computer”.
- Click “Continue”.
- Click “Close” when installation done.
A new virtual printer “Microsoft Office Document Imaging Writer” is created and allows you to print to MDI format (a TIFF variant). And from now onwards you should be able to open any MDI files by simply double click on them. If you still can’t, try to restart your computer.
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November 7th, 2009 05:14
OMG! THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH! I have been going crazy trying to down load all sorts of Supposed “dixes” that end up being sneaky ploys to try and get me to buy someone’s software! Thank you! I am now going to upgrade all my office’s computers with this! You have just saved me 6 hours of work time!
November 4th, 2009 16:06
THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
November 2nd, 2009 13:58
TACK!
October 31st, 2009 21:15
wow, thanks so much! very helpfuL!!!
October 31st, 2009 03:35
Many thanks, that was was useful
Regards,
Ramy
October 28th, 2009 22:55
Thank You so much.
I needed the information, n I got from this site.
Microsoft was unable to help me!
Thanks once again, for the step by step procedure.
October 27th, 2009 00:28
Thank you for the step by step instructions…it now works. I was wondering why my MDI files would not open on my Vista laptop. I have no idea why MS likes to make things so difficult. I wonder if I will run into the same problems when I eventually upgrade my XP to Windows 7.
October 22nd, 2009 23:03
thanks guys, it worked
October 22nd, 2009 10:56
Thank you! It worked!
October 21st, 2009 18:45
thank you very much for the support. It came in handy
Anis
October 14th, 2009 15:29
Thanks a lot this saved me a lot of trouble trying to downgrad from Office 2007 to Office 2003. Best regards
October 12th, 2009 21:09
Thank you so much!
October 12th, 2009 02:25
Thanks for the solution that microsoft couldnt give me
October 10th, 2009 02:24
Excellent! Thanks a lot!
October 5th, 2009 03:21
that was very handy!! thanks dude!
October 5th, 2009 01:35
Thanks so much!!!I thought I would never have MDI again when I purchased microsoft office 2007. I’m glad I searched online and found this site!!! This is so helpful!!!Thank you!!
October 1st, 2009 03:39
Thanks! This was _exactly_ what I needed!
September 26th, 2009 03:01
another option is to click the “open file with” button when the error pops up… choose windows picture and fax viewer and now you can look at these files
September 12th, 2009 23:14
great instructions! clear, concise and correct! thanks!
September 12th, 2009 07:48
AbFab – clear instructions, and instructions that work. In My Favourites.
Many Thanks
September 10th, 2009 04:35
Hiii, thanks buddy..it was really helpful tip, i was trying this for many days. Thanks again
September 5th, 2009 23:20
Thx just what I needed and easy to follow. Microsoft shud be embarassed by poor svc to their sw.
September 3rd, 2009 09:32
Tks!
Again proving what a BAD sw company microsoft is when it comes to actually helping customers.
Thanks again,
AD
August 20th, 2009 10:21
Champions!
Concise instructions that solved the problem. Mircosoft site was useless in helping.
Cheers!