What Is a PDI File?

How to Open, Edit, and Convert PDI Files

PDI file

A file with the PDI file extension is most likely an InstantCopy Disc Image file, which is an exact copy of a disc created using Pinnacle Systems' InstantCopy DVD ripper program. 

Your PDI file might instead be associated with PReS Document Creation Subroutines or it may be a disk image file used with the PI ProcessBook software as a Display Definition file. 

Some versions of Microsoft PowerPoint use the PDI extension as a format to support importing and exporting PowerPoint files, while other PDI files may stand for Portable Database Image, which is a format used for publishing and analyzing data. 

Note: PDI is also an acronym for a number of technology terms but none of them are related to a file format. For example, program and debug interface, path defect indicator, product data index, professional digital imaging, and professional development - IP committee. 

How to Open a PDI File 

Though now discontinued, InstantCopy from Pinnacle Systems was the primary program used for both creating and opening PDI files that are in the InstantCopy Disc Image file format. 

ImgBurn is a free alternative that also opens these kinds of PDI files but only for the purpose of burning it to a disc - ImgBurn does not support ripping (copying) discs to the PDI format like InstantCopy did. IsoBuster might be able to open PDI files in a similar fashion too. 

PReS Document Creation Subroutines are associated with PrintSoft but I'm not sure where PDI files come into play there. It's not clear what specific program these types of PDI files are used with. 

PI ProcessBook is what's used to open PDI files that are Display Definition files. 

PDI files that Microsoft PowerPoint uses to import/export files can of course be opened with that program. 

Microsoft Excel and software from Panoratio are two options for opening Portable Database Image files. 

Tip: If even after these suggestions you still can not open your PDI file, try using a text editor like Notepad++. 

It's possible your PDI file is just a text file, in which case the text editor can open and display the contents. However, if it's not a text file, your PDI file may have some sort of readable text within it that explains what type of program was used to create it... and likely open it as well. 

If you find that an application on your computer does try to open the PDI file but it's the wrong one, or if you would rather have another installed program open PDI files, see our How to Change the Default Program for a Specific File Extension guide for instructions on making that change. 

How to Convert a PDI File 

A dedicated file conversion tool is usually enough to convert most file types but that's probably only true for PDI files when it comes to the InstantCopy Disc Image format. 

You can use ISOBuddy to convert those kinds of PDI files to the ISO format. The ImgBurn program might work too, and if so, probably supports additional export formats like BIN, IMG, and MINISO. I have little confidence that any of the other PDI formats described above can be converted to a new format. However, if it's possible, just open the PDI file in whatever software it's openable in and look for some sort of File > Save As or Export menu.

Is Your File Still Not Opening? 

If you get open your file with the programs mentioned above, and it won't convert to the right file that you need, try double-checking the file extension. Make sure it reads ".PDI" and not something similar like PDF or PDD.
All three file formats require different programs to open them even though they look very similar in the way they're named.
If you find that you're not really dealing with a PDI file, research the file extension that you do have. Unless it's an extremely obscure format, you'll likely find out which software programs support it and how, if it's possible, to convert your file to some other format.