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What Is a Multiple Document Interface (MDI)?

A Multiple Document Interface lets users work with several documents in a shared application workspace. Learn how classic MDI windows work and how the model differs from SDI.
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A Multiple Document Interface (MDI) is an application design that lets you work with several documents in one application workspace. In classic Win32 MDI, each document is shown in a child window contained within the application’s main window.

How does an MDI application work?

A classic Win32 MDI application has three kinds of windows:

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  • Frame window: the application’s main window.
  • MDI client window: a workspace inside the frame that manages document windows.
  • MDI child windows: individual document windows contained within the MDI client area.

Microsoft describes this structure in its About the Multiple Document Interface documentation.

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Switching and arranging documents

Only one child window is active at a time. It is brought to the front and highlighted; users can activate another by selecting it or using the application’s Window menu. An MDI application may also let users tile child windows so they do not overlap, or cascade them so their title bars remain visible. The available controls depend on the application.

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Microsoft explains these mechanics in Using the Multiple Document Interface.

How is MDI different from SDI?

Single Document Interface (SDI) is a contrasting application model, but the distinction is not simply “one document versus several.” The window relationships and user interactions differ: classic MDI places document windows inside an application workspace, while SDI uses a different window model. Microsoft’s Windows Forms documentation details behavioral differences between MDI forms and SDI windows.

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When evaluating the two models, consider where document windows appear, how users switch between them, whether they need to arrange several documents in one workspace, and which interaction model best suits their tasks. See Microsoft’s Multiple-Document Interface (MDI) Applications documentation for the Windows Forms comparison.

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Is MDI a good interface design?

MDI can suit applications whose work is naturally organized around multiple documents in a shared workspace. However, Microsoft cautions that some users find it difficult to learn: “Many new and intermediate users find it difficult to learn to use MDI applications. Therefore, you should consider other models for your user interface. However, you can use MDI for applications which do not easily fit into an existing model.” This guidance appears in Microsoft’s Multiple Document Interface documentation.

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The practical choice depends on the audience and tasks: a shared document workspace can be useful, but it should not be assumed to be the clearest model for every application.

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