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)
August 18th, 2009 19:14
thank you a lot
you saved my life!
August 16th, 2009 17:47
Thank you! simple and direct
August 16th, 2009 13:24
Thanks soo much. This cuts down my time by 3 folds.
August 14th, 2009 04:53
Thanks a million!! I have tried for days to figure out why I couldn’t open my old files. I should have googled this to start with.
August 11th, 2009 11:52
Really helpful
Thanks a lot
July 31st, 2009 18:15
Thanks a lot, now it is working fine.
July 29th, 2009 20:57
sorry,the whole process well followed but it can’t work.Thanks for other help.
July 27th, 2009 22:25
Muchas gracias, me ayudo a resolver el problema de imprimir los mdi de office 2003 en office 2007.
Gracias por sus buenos consejos, sus publicaciones son mejores que las que da el propio fabricante, es decir microsoft.
July 26th, 2009 15:40
Thanks a lot! .It works!
July 23rd, 2009 17:38
Thanks so much. This really worked.
July 8th, 2009 00:35
Great advice, thank you.
July 6th, 2009 12:20
FANTASTIC!!! Your advice on how to configure Win for .MDI files was perfect and very well timed for us – thanks a million. The windows website was pretty much worthless on this issue. Take care.
July 3rd, 2009 01:55
Gr8..thanks for the help
July 2nd, 2009 15:26
Thanks for the help,
Now I can open MDI files easily and convert them into TIFF format.
Regards,
Pratik
June 28th, 2009 12:31
Thanks for your help
siraj
June 26th, 2009 23:51
Wow! You are Really Good!!!
Thanks A MILL…
= )
June 16th, 2009 18:47
A great help
June 2nd, 2009 16:45
Thanks the onenote method is an absolute no hassle winner.
May 30th, 2009 21:21
tanx man.
it was useful.
May 28th, 2009 20:08
Good info for novice user.
Keep informed others.
Thanks.
May 28th, 2009 01:39
You.
Rock.
Thank you so much!
May 27th, 2009 19:27
Thanks so much, very helpful and concise!!!
May 27th, 2009 12:41
Very Nice. Now i am able of open & take printout of .MDI (extension) file.
Once again thanks a lot
May 27th, 2009 01:28
thanks a lot! it was very helpful.
May 19th, 2009 13:13
Thanks.It works !