Between times we get some Visio (VSDX/VSD/VDX) files on Mac and need to open them on our devices. Though these files can be opened and viewed easily in Windows system, they are not macOS-friendly format. This article will recommend three methods to open Visio files on Mac, including instructions for opening with a reliable app and instructions for using free tools.
Cisdem Document Reader
Free DownloadMicrosoft Visio is an application falling under the Microsoft Office Suite of products which is used to view diagram and vector graphics. Visio was made by the Shapeware Corporation in 1992, and then Microsoft acquired it in 2000. Actually, VSD, VSDX, VDX are the formats included in Visio. Others like VST, VSS, VTX, VSX are seldom used. Here we will mainly introduce the most common ones and make clear what are they.
The VSDX file extension is associated with the MS Visio. A diagramming utility that is distributed with some editions of Microsoft Office suite for Microsoft Windows. The VSDX file stores diagram drawing in OPC/XML format compressed with ZIP compression. It was introduced in MS Visio 2013.
VSD is a file extension for a vector graphics file format used by MS Visio. MS Visio is vector-based software used to create diagrams and flowcharts. VSD stands for Visio Drawing.
The VDX file extension has bearing on the Microsoft Windows operating system driver VMM32.VDX. The VMM32.VDX driver checks duplicate VDX files and switches other Windows drivers to protected mode.
Tip: Be careful not to rename the extension on VSD/VSDX/VDX files, or any other files. This will not change the file type. Only special conversion software can change a file from one file type to another.
It is true that we can open a Visio file on Mac with Internet Explorer, such as Chorme, Edge. But when it comes to the most effective way to open VSDX/VSD/VDX files on Mac without Internet Explorer, Cisdem Document Reader should be highly recommended. It is an amazing app that can open Visio files promptly on Mac, not only a single file, but also opening multiple Visio files in separate window tabs.
In addition to this format, other files types such as WPD, WPS, XPS, OXPS, PDF can be read as well.
What makes this app great is that it has a collection of tools for viewing, navigating, bookmarking, rotating, printing, searching, exporting, extracting images from Visio files.
Free Download
1. Customizable toolbar ensures you the smoothest reading experience.
Cisdem Document Reader can give you a fantastic reading experience using different viewing styles with toolbar consisting view mode, searching pane, page navigation, zoom, rotate, save, copy, etc. Also you can design the toolbar in the way you favor.
2. Keyword Search to quickly find a word, character, or phrase anywhere.
If you want to find a word, phrase, or a sentence in a big write up, it will cost you a lot of time. But if you use Keyword Search function, the action will be solved immediately.
3. Print files or Convert WPD, WPS, XPS, VISIO files to PDF on Mac.
By using Cisdem Document Reader you can print the opened WPD, WPS, XPS, OXPS, VISIO, PDF files with one click or save them as an industry-standard PDF that can be opened and edited in any other PDF programs.
If you think there is no need to download any app to open your Visio files, we can use a Chrome extension---Lucidchart.
It allows Chrome users to open VSD/VSDX/VDX files on their Mac, however multiple files are not supported. Next, let's learn the steps:
The Tip:
If you don’t want to install this extension, there is another way to open Visio files on Mac with this viewer in your Chrome, Lucidchart is a suggested app to open Visio files in Google Drive. You just need to login the Google account, upload Visio file to Drive and open the file with Lucidchart.
Lucidchart works sometimes to open a Visio file on Mac as you want, but in many cases, it may fail to open or display your files in original layout, you can refer to the reviews from its users as follows. However, to check if it works for your case or not, just have a try.
Lastly, we found an online free method to open Visio files on Mac without installing any app or extension, ASPOSE. It helps users to open and view all kinds of Visio files, including VSDX, VSD, VSX, VTX, VSTX, VSTM, VDX, VSDM, VSSM, VSSX. However, it cannot view multiple files at one time, and you have to wait patiently for it to upload and display the Visio files on your Mac screen.
Luckily we can find a variety of ways to open Visio files on Mac, but not all these ways bring good reading experience or work on all Visio formats. Therefore, in the end, we prefer to pick a reliable and efficient app to open Visio files on Mac. It is now the time to have a free try of Cisdem Document Reader and evaluate if it is worth a permanent license.
Bianca is a senior tech editor and strategist at Cisdem with Over 10 years of experience on PDF related solutions which covers all document editing, annotating, converting and managing etc.
MacCana
Excellent and easy to understand, I won't have to worry about frustrating programs that just don't do what you want.
Kelly
DocumentReader is an awesome tool-- very easy to use from a total noob. If you want to open your visio files on Mac quickly and easy to lay your process down, this works fantastic!
Zoey
DocumentReader is a fantastic piece of software to view Visio files quickly in OS X. Also, it can convert Visio to PDF.