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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Entries (RSS)
January 8th, 2009 01:27
Can’t say thank you enough! I’ve spent four days trying to open a file – - with two IT people unsure of how to fix this. Your simple, easy to understand instructions were most excellent. Please know your time and energy in typing this out is appreciated by all of us. Have a wonderful 2009!
January 6th, 2009 16:23
Wow – this worked like a charm!! Kudos!
January 6th, 2009 10:43
GREAT JOB MY FREN!!U GIVE ME A SUPERB SOLUTION… BETTER THAN MICROSOFT ITSELF!!THANX!
January 5th, 2009 02:39
Worked perfectly (and I have Office 2003)! When will Microsoft make it’s online help as easy to use as your website?
December 21st, 2008 15:25
Heeeeehoooooooo…. Kudoooos……… Wish you all the best people.
December 19th, 2008 23:54
Worked like a charm. Great to find answers readily available!
December 19th, 2008 15:49
Thank you very much!!
December 18th, 2008 00:01
Thank you for putting out the solution to open the file in office 2003.
December 12th, 2008 03:30
Thank you very much!! very helpful
December 10th, 2008 11:52
Awesome help guys!! Saved me from a dreaded chargeback!!!
December 7th, 2008 08:35
Thank you so, so much it worked perfectly when I tried the onenote remedy, I just had to figure out which bullet to choose……choose the one that says insert to print
December 3rd, 2008 04:07
thank you very much..rep :p
it is very useful knowledge
November 29th, 2008 05:00
This worked! Thanks so much LebanonOz!
For Debbie and others who have Office 2003 but the .mdi files do not open automatically…
Double-click the .mdi file
At the “Windows can not open this file” prompt
Click “Select the program from a list”
Click OK
In the “Open With” window
Click the Browse button
It will default to the “drive_letter”:\Program Files folder
Double-Click Common Files
Double-Click Microsoft Shared
Double-Click MODI
Double-Click 11.0
Double-Click MSPVIEW.EXE
You will be back in the “Open With” window
Make sure the “Always use the selected program…” box is checked
Click OK
.MDI files will now open with MS Office Document Imaging anytime you double-click one.
November 28th, 2008 01:07
Thank’s it’s really help
November 27th, 2008 19:14
For Debbie and others who have Office 2003 but the .mdi files do not open automatically…
Double-click the .mdi file
At the “Windows can not open this file” prompt
Click “Select the program from a list”
Click OK
In the “Open With” window
Click the Browse button
It will default to the “drive_letter”:\Program Files folder
Double-Click Common Files
Double-Click Microsoft Shared
Double-Click MODI
Double-Click 11.0
Double-Click MSPVIEW.EXE
You will be back in the “Open With” window
Make sure the “Always use the selected program…” box is checked
Click OK
.MDI files will now open with MS Office Document Imaging anytime you double-click one.
November 26th, 2008 07:48
we have just received an email with a mdi file but we have office 2003 but wont let me open an mdi file can some one come up with an idea.
November 25th, 2008 22:56
excelente comentario me saco de una…
yo buscanndo el visor jaja lo logre hacer con onenote
November 25th, 2008 11:32
Thanks! It works great! When I upgraded to office 2007 I could not see this file until I reach this site!
November 19th, 2008 18:47
Thanks this was amazing help, at least I dont have to phone clients and ask them to send stuff in different formats!
November 18th, 2008 16:12
it helped! thanks a lot!!!
November 12th, 2008 11:13
Hey thanks for that useful tip
Keep up the good work to make the Internet a better place !
November 11th, 2008 15:44
Thanks for sharing…
Really useful
November 10th, 2008 01:19
THANKS!!! I finally found this website and your advice perfectly fixed my problem!
November 7th, 2008 20:27
it was very useful. thanks !
October 26th, 2008 14:36
Thanks a Lot! Not only did it help… it has provided with a explorative option with the all new MS Office 2007.
Keep on the good work!