MDI File – What is .mdi file and how to open it?

Microsoft Document Imaging File (MDI)

A Microsoft Document Imaging (MDI) file is a raster image file format developed by Microsoft and introduced with Windows 3.0. It is primarily used for storing scanned documents and images. MDI files contain compressed and uncompressed bitmaps, enabling them to handle high-resolution images efficiently. The compression algorithm used in MDI files is based on the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) method.

Features of MDI Files

MDI files provide several features that make them suitable for document imaging applications. They support color depths of up to 24 bits per pixel, allowing for accurate color reproduction. MDI files also support lossless compression, preserving the original image quality without introducing any artifacts. Additionally, MDI files can contain metadata, such as the date and time the image was scanned, the scanner model, and the resolution. This metadata can be useful for organizing and managing large collections of scanned documents.

How to Open an MDI File

MDI files, also known as Microsoft Document Imaging Files, contain scanned documents, images, and text. They are typically used by the Microsoft Office Document Imaging application, which is available as part of the Microsoft Office suite. To open an MDI file, you can use the following steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Office Document Imaging application.
2. Click the “File” menu and select “Open.”
3. Navigate to the location of the MDI file you want to open and select it.
4. Click the “Open” button.

The MDI file will be opened in the Microsoft Office Document Imaging application. You can then view and edit the document, if necessary.

Alternative Methods to Open MDI Files

If you do not have the Microsoft Office Document Imaging application installed, you can use other software to open MDI files. Some popular options include:

• Free MDI Viewer: This free software can be downloaded from the internet and allows you to view and print MDI files.
• IrfanView: This freeware program can be used to view and edit MDI files, as well as a variety of other image formats.
• ACDSee: This commercial software can be used to view and edit MDI files, as well as a wide range of other image formats.

MDI File Format

The Microsoft Document Imaging (MDI) file format is a proprietary format developed by Microsoft specifically for storing scanned document images. MDI files incorporate both the image data and additional information related to the document, such as metadata, annotations, and page layout. This makes them suitable for archiving and managing digital documents. MDI files utilize a lossless compression algorithm to preserve the original image quality without any data loss.

Applications of MDI Files

MDI files have become a popular format for storing scanned documents in various business and legal environments. Their ability to preserve the integrity of the original document makes them ideal for applications requiring secure document management. MDI files are commonly used in document imaging systems, document management software, and legal e-discovery processes. They also find application in archival storage, where the preservation of document quality and authenticity is critical.

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