Free MDI Converter: Top 5 Tools to Convert MDI Files QuicklyMDI (Microsoft Document Imaging) files were created by Microsoft Office Document Imaging (MODI), a component that used to ship with older versions of Microsoft Office. MDI stores scanned documents and images, often produced by scanners or OCR workflows, and isn’t widely supported by modern software. If you’re stuck with MDI files and need to view, edit, or share them, converting them into common formats like PDF, TIFF, PNG, or JPG is the fastest solution. Below are five reliable free tools (online and desktop) that make converting MDI files quick and straightforward, plus guidance on when to use each and step-by-step instructions.
Why convert MDI files?
- Compatibility: Many current apps (mobile devices, cloud services, modern PDF readers) don’t support MDI. Converting to PDF or common image formats ensures broad compatibility.
- Shareability: PDF is universally accepted for document exchange; images are handy for embedding or quick viewing.
- OCR and editing: Converting to TIFF or PDF can allow OCR tools to extract text for searchability and editing.
- Archiving: Converting to standardized formats avoids future accessibility issues.
How I chose these tools
Selection focused on: free availability, ease of use, support for common target formats (PDF, TIFF, PNG, JPG), batch conversion capability, security (local conversion or HTTPS for online tools), and minimal setup. I included a mix of web-based and desktop utilities to match different user needs (privacy vs convenience).
Top 5 Free MDI Converters
1) Windows Fax and Scan / Microsoft OneNote (desktop, built-in/commonly available)
Overview: If you have an older Windows environment or Microsoft Office with OneNote, you can often open or import scanned images and export them to PDF or other formats. OneNote can insert MDI images and then export pages as PDF.
When to use: You prefer an offline method using tools you may already have installed; you want to avoid uploading sensitive documents.
How to convert (OneNote):
- Open OneNote and create a new page.
- Drag and drop the MDI file into the page (if OneNote supports the file as an image).
- Right-click the inserted image or page and choose Export → Page → PDF.
Note: Support depends on installed Office/OneNote version. If MDI won’t open directly, use a small desktop converter (below).
2) LibreOffice Draw (desktop, free, cross-platform)
Overview: LibreOffice is an open-source office suite. LibreOffice Draw can open a wide range of graphic/document formats and export them as PDF, PNG, JPG, or TIFF.
When to use: You want a reliable free cross-platform desktop tool with batch export via macros or manual export for single files.
How to convert:
- Install LibreOffice and open LibreOffice Draw.
- Open the MDI file (File → Open). If Draw recognizes the file, it will display the pages/images.
- Export (File → Export as → Export as PDF or select an image format).
Limitations: Some MDI variants might not be recognized; results depend on how the MDI was encoded.
3) XnView MP (desktop, free for personal use)
Overview: XnView MP is an image viewer and converter that supports hundreds of formats. It can open MDI and export to PDF, TIFF, PNG, JPG, and more. Batch conversion is included.
When to use: You need fast, reliable batch conversion and image-quality control (compression, resizing, color settings).
How to convert:
- Download and install XnView MP.
- Open the MDI file (File → Open) or add multiple MDI files to the browser pane.
- Use File → Export or Tools → Batch Convert to choose output format and options.
Strengths: Fast batch processing, fine control over image parameters.
4) Online MDI to PDF converters (web-based)
Overview: Several websites let you upload an MDI and download a converted PDF or image. These are quick and require no installation.
When to use: You need a one-off conversion, are on a restricted device (no install), or need a quick result without configuring software.
How to convert (typical steps):
- Visit a reputable online converter site (look for HTTPS and clear privacy terms).
- Upload your MDI file.
- Choose output format (PDF, JPG, PNG).
- Download the converted file.
Caveats: Don’t upload sensitive documents unless the site’s privacy policy is acceptable. Use HTTPS and prefer services that delete files after conversion.
5) Free MDI converters / small utilities (e.g., MDIconv, MDI2PDF) — lightweight desktop tools
Overview: Small dedicated utilities exist specifically to convert MDI to PDF/TIFF/JPG. Many are portable and free. Names vary over time; search for “MDI to PDF converter free” to find current offerings.
When to use: You want a lightweight, purpose-built tool for fast, local conversions without a full office suite.
How to convert (typical steps):
- Download the utility (scan for reputation and malware).
- Run the program, add MDI files, choose export format and location.
- Start conversion and retrieve output files.
Security note: Prefer open-source or well-reviewed utilities. Run antivirus checks on downloaded executables.
Quick comparison
| Tool type | Best for | Handles batch? | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneNote / Windows built-ins | Already-installed, offline single-file export | Limited | High (local) |
| LibreOffice Draw | Cross-platform desktop, free suite | Manual; macro for batch | High (local) |
| XnView MP | Batch image conversions, quality control | Yes | High (local) |
| Online converters | Fast one-off conversions, no install | Usually limited | Low–medium (uploads) |
| Dedicated small utilities | Lightweight, single-purpose local tools | Often yes | High (local) |
Tips for best results
- Convert to PDF for documents you want to share and preserve layout.
- Convert to TIFF or high-quality PNG for downstream OCR tasks. TIFF with LZW or no compression preserves quality for OCR.
- For scanned images, choose a lossless or high-quality export (PNG, TIFF, or high-quality JPEG) to retain OCR accuracy.
- Batch-convert folders with XnView MP or dedicated utilities to save time.
- If privacy is critical, prefer local desktop tools over online services.
Troubleshooting
- If a tool fails to open an MDI, try another converter (MDI variant differences exist).
- If text isn’t selectable after converting to PDF, run OCR on the exported image/PDF with tools like Tesseract, Adobe Acrobat, or OCR features in LibreOffice/OneNote.
- If pages are rotated or misaligned after conversion, use an image editor or XnView’s rotate options before exporting.
Conclusion
For most users needing a quick and private solution, XnView MP or LibreOffice Draw are dependable free desktop choices. Use online converters only for non-sensitive, one-off jobs. If you already have OneNote or a small dedicated MDI utility available, those provide fast local conversion without extra installs. Choose PDF for sharing, TIFF/PNG for OCR, and use batch tools when handling many files.
If you want, I can:
- provide step-by-step screenshots for one of these tools, or
- list specific current free MDI-to-PDF utilities available right now.
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