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I received a group of MXD, AHD, and XML files on a CD from a client.

What is the least expensive Esri software that would be needed to view the information contained in the MXD files?

I only need to view and print.

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    ArcGIS Basic (ArcView) is around $1500 for a single license
    – Mapperz ♦
    Dec 17, 2012 at 15:25
  • What version of ArcGIS are you using? Important to note, you cannot open a newer mxd (e.g. v10 with and older version of ArcGIS).
    – artwork21
    Dec 17, 2012 at 16:41
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    did they also include shape files shp or a database file gdb or mdb?
    – Banger
    Dec 17, 2012 at 22:27
  • Since this isn't ESRI software, and since I have no idea how good or free it ends up being, I'll just note Tatuk claims to be able to convert mxd projects to Tatuk projects with a free plugin and viewer. See tatukgis.com/Products/3rdPartyProducts/Arc2TatukGIS.aspx
    – John
    Dec 19, 2012 at 14:02
  • I will depend of want you want to see, if the CD includes the shapefiles, and all you want is to check the data itself, you can open them in any opensource GIS software, for instance Quantum GIS. You will have to remake the symbology thought.
    – Alexandre Neto
    Dec 19, 2012 at 15:26

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To open an mxd, to the best of my knowledge, you will need a license of ArcGIS for Desktop to use its ArcMap application, which is by no means cheap. It seems that there are some tools out there to convert an ESRI document into a format that an open source solution like QGIS can read but it looks like they require access to an ArcGIS license as well.

I would ask the client to publish them to .pmf files so that you can use the freely available ArcReader software to open them up and view/print them.

If all you need to do is look at them and print the simplest solution would be for the client to send them as pdfs which are much easier to deal with.

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    ArcReader is a good solution, but that's only viable if the client has paid to get the $2500 ArcPublisher extension.
    – RyanKDalton
    Dec 17, 2012 at 15:43
  • ArcGIS (Basic) ArcView would be a cheaper option.
    – Mapperz ♦
    Dec 17, 2012 at 17:19
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I believe that you need a license of ArcGIS for Desktop to use its ArcMap application as well.

You can also ask the client to send the shape-file and open them in the open-source tool QGIS

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If you only need this a short period of time, the trial will work for 90 days: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-desktop/free-trial

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If your purpose is non-commercial personal use or otherwise doesn't contravene the license terms, there is an ArcGIS for home use subscription program that costs $100/yr. It includes pretty much everything except ArcGIS Server.

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If you know someone who has ArcGIS Engine SDK, you could ask them to simply build the sample app that is included with the install. The sample app is able to open and view mxd's. Before you can run that app, you will need to purchase and install the ArcGIS Engine runtime license, which last I checked retails for $500.

Once you have the runtime installed on your computer you will be able to run the sample app, along with other ArcGIS Engine apps without purchasing additional licensing.

Unfortunately Esri does not do a good job of promoting this licensing option.

This licensing model is a bit different from the new "runtimes", where each installed app requires a new license.

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ArcGIS Pro, the new desktop application from Esri, supports the import of MXD files. It imports everything including layers, layouts,... into ArcGIS Pro project files. Please see this page for more details.

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