I am using Microsoft Office and I noticed a printer called "MDI Printer". When I choose it as the printer, it creates a file with the extension of MDI. What is it actually?
In this context, the extension MDI stands for "Microsoft Document Image" format. This is not to be confused with the term "Multiple Document Interface".
The internal file structure of an MDI file is similar to that of a TIFF file (Tagged Image File Format). TIFF files are the most popular format used by scanner software that support OCR.
This is because the TIFF format supports saving of text characters in a way that OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software can read.
Given that it is similar to TIFF, can I use a MDI document as a common format to send documents to my friends? I find it intriguing as it is more similar to a PDF document. i.e. it represents a "Printed" format of a word document. Can my friends "edit" the MDI document?
TIFF files are basically an image format that anyone with a graphics editor can open, view and modify. When you take PDF documents, you still need a PDF reader software. You can only open and read a PDF document. If you want to edit a PDF document, you will require to have a suitable software for it.
Similarly In order for people to open up a MDI document, they need to have the Microsoft Office suite of products installed. The MDI document reader comes as a bundled tool. I am not aware if Microsoft had released an independent MDI reader software. I would not recommend using a MDI file to share among your friends unless your friends also have the Microsoft Office suite of products installed.
In addition to what Electrica had mentioned, you can be assured that your friends cannot edit a MDI document using the MDI Document Reader Tool. However you friends will be capable of running a OCR to extract the text from your MDI document if they need to!
So in short, an MDI document is a Microsoft product and ships with Microsoft Office. You are able to share MDI documents with people who already have Microsoft Office installed. They can view and print and MDI file but they cannot edit it. It is similar to a PDF but it supports OCR. Is the above summary correct?
That is correct Adena! You are now an Expert in MDI Documents!
And I will second that!
Thank you Electrica and WizKid. You guys are the real experts! Thank you again!
Thanks this solved my issue.
