The CorelDRAW program saves picture files using a format called CDR, a proprietary vector image file format. Early versions of Microsoft Visio could process CDR files, but Microsoft discontinued support for CDR picture files beginning with Microsoft Visio 2003. To open a CDR file in Visio, you'll need to install Visio 2002 or earlier, or you'll need to use a free conversion tool to save your CDR files in a format that newer versions of Visio can read.

  • The CorelDRAW program saves picture files using a format called CDR, a proprietary vector image file format.
  • To open a CDR file in Visio, you'll need to install Visio 2002 or earlier, or you'll need to use a free conversion tool to save your CDR files in a format that newer versions of Visio can read.

Obtain a copy of Visio 2002 or earlier from a software vendor. Microsoft no longer offers Visio 2002, so you'll need to purchase the program from a third-party vendor.

Insert the Visio 2002 installation CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.

Follow the on-screen prompts to install Visio 2002 to your computer.

Run the Visio 2002 program. Click "File" and choose "Open" and navigate to the directory that contains your CDR files. Visio 2002 automatically recognises the CDR file format and can open the file in your Visio program. You can then save the file in JPG, GIF, TIF, WMF or BMP format for use with a newer version of Visio.

Navigate your Web browser to the Filespazz free CDR conversion site.

Click the "Browse" button on the right side of the page, and navigate to the directory that contains your CDR file.

Click the "Please Select Conversion Type:" drop-down menu and choose the file type that you would like the CDR file to be converted to. Choose JPG, BMP, TIFF or GIF to render the file in a format that you can use with Visio 2003 or newer.

  • Run the Visio 2002 program.
  • Choose JPG, BMP, TIFF or GIF to render the file in a format that you can use with Visio 2003 or newer.

Type your e-mail address in the text box in the bottom right of the screen.

Click "Convert." The Visio 2003 ready file will be converted and sent to your e-mail address within 5 minutes.