Why convert VSDX to VSD?
VSDX is Visio's current ZIP-based OPC XML format introduced in 2013; VSD is its undocumented legacy binary predecessor used through Visio 2010. The only practical reason to convert is sending a diagram to a recipient running Visio 2003, 2007 or 2010 that cannot open .vsdx files. Microsoft released a free compatibility pack for Visio 2007 and 2010 that adds VSDX read support, which may make this conversion unnecessary.
How to convert VSDX to VSD
Microsoft Visio APP
Open the .vsdx in Visio 2013 or later, click File > Save As, select Visio 2003-2010 Drawing (*.vsd), review the compatibility warning, and click Continue.
Programs that convert VSDX
About these formats
.VSDX
Microsoft Visio Drawing (2013+)
A VSDX file is a Microsoft Visio diagram saved in the ZIP/XML format Visio has used since 2013. You do not need Visio to open one - the free draw.io (diagrams.net) imports VSDX in the…
Open .VSDX details →
.VSD
Microsoft Visio Drawing (legacy binary, 2010 and earlier)
A VSD file is a diagram created in Microsoft Visio 2010 or earlier - a flowchart, network map, floor plan or similar. You can open it for free with LibreOffice Draw. Note that draw.io does…
Open .VSD details →Quality & what to watch
- VSD is a binary format with no public specification; saving to it can silently drop features such as themes, data graphics and structured data links from Visio 2013+ shapes.
- Microsoft's free Visio 2010 compatibility pack adds VSDX read support to Visio 2007 and 2010 - installing it on the recipient's machine may make this conversion unnecessary.
- VSD files are often larger than their VSDX equivalents because the binary format does not compress the way a ZIP/XML package does.
