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)
March 10th, 2009 01:04
Thank You for taking the time to write this up. It’s always appreciated when finding the answer doesn’t take hours of digging in a Corporation’s website.
Thanks
JV
March 4th, 2009 03:53
few moment of my time. THANK YOU…
I DIDNT HAVE TO EMBARASS MYSELF TO ASK MY OWN SON.
March 1st, 2009 21:44
no consigo la barra de herramientas de offce para poder descargas la funcion si pueden ayudarme
March 1st, 2009 11:48
I tried the above with Office Home and Student 2007. Does not detect changeable settings or programs. Sends me back to the unistall window. No solution. Imaging reader still not installed. sigh. Still wasting time searching.
February 25th, 2009 23:03
Thanks a lot for this info!!!!
February 23rd, 2009 22:55
I spent half the day looking for a blasted mdi format converter.
Even MS didn’t list anything thst I could find.
Without your help I’d still be looking.
Easy when you know how.
Thank you so very much
David
February 21st, 2009 07:47
Thank you very much
February 20th, 2009 20:48
Thank you! U saved me!
February 18th, 2009 07:45
Thank you very much…. WHY MICROSOFT couldn’t have just explained that on the 10 pages I found related to that file format…oh wait we keep buying ther monopolistic mistakes thus rewarding there incompetance.
SUPPORT PIRATING MICROSOFT SOFTWARE… or better yet donate to User based groups who design intelligent software that works.
Add this 35 minutes of wasted time searching & fixing to the weeks & months of lost productivitiy I’ve experienced thanx to M$.
I see a Microsoft Name Tag & i start punching!
February 16th, 2009 23:37
I applied “fix” as described and partially sloved my problem thank you. I can now open .mdi files but the wrong program is associated with .mdi files which prevent a double click opening of said files. How do I delete the “chossen programs to open” this type of file. MSVIEW is not one of my choices when I right click, but several others are and have been chosen in the past an ” tries and says con not open this file. Thanksmedia center”
February 16th, 2009 20:16
You are a great wizard! Thank you!!!!
February 15th, 2009 00:55
Saritha, thanks
It works
surya
February 15th, 2009 00:22
Yet another thank you – why on earth can’t MS have this on their website???
February 14th, 2009 08:33
Thank you! Your workaround was a perfect solution and a real lifesaver!
(windows vista, office 2007 home edition)
February 13th, 2009 11:10
Nice!!! Thank you SO much!
February 12th, 2009 12:23
Thank You SAVED MY LIFE TODAY FOR MY LAB REPORT
February 10th, 2009 18:25
thanks for this help..i was so mad to our Catering Dept. for sending me this kind of file, i can’t open it with any programs suggested by the microsoft office..a BIG THANKS REALLY
February 10th, 2009 02:54
Outstanding. You ROCK.
February 6th, 2009 15:38
This was a great help……
I really appreciate.
Shilpa
February 4th, 2009 14:51
You saved my life. Thanx so much.
January 23rd, 2009 15:18
To resolve this issue, install the Microsoft Office Document Imaging program. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK.
2. In the Currently installed programs list, click the 2007 Office version that you have installed.
3. Click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove features, and then click Continue.
5. Expand Office Tools.
6. Click Microsoft Office Document Imaging, and then click Run all from My Computer.
7. Click Continue.
January 22nd, 2009 04:36
You are a life saver
January 21st, 2009 19:47
That helped, thank you
January 17th, 2009 10:41
Whew! Saved a boy’s homework!
January 8th, 2009 11:06
Thank you!!!
Great help and real easy to do.
Kevin