You cannot open an AutoCAD 2004 .dwg file or a later version of an AutoCAD .dwg file in Visio 2007 and in Visio 2003

When you try to open an AutoCAD 2004 .dwg file or a later version of an AutoCAD .dwg file in Microsoft Office Visio 2007 and in Microsoft Office Visio 2003, the file does not open. Additionally, you receive the following error message:

This issue occurs because Visio 2003 and Visio 2007 cannot open the newer .dwg file format that is used by AutoCAD 2004 and later versions.

To work around this issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the .dwg file in AutoCAD 2004 or a later version.
2. Save the file as an AutoCAD 2002 .dwg file.
3. Open the AutoCAD 2002 .dwg file in Visio.

Note Visio 2003 and Visio 2007 can only open AutoCAD 2002 .dwg files or earlier versions of AutoCAD .dwg files.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.