How to Convert Legacy Mathcad Files to Mathcad Prime

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This video gives a quick demo on how to convert legacy Mathcad files (.mcd, .xmcd) to Mathcad Prime format (.mcdx) Watch Guide Update (November 3, 2026): The current Mathcad Prime XMCD, MCD Converter does not require Mathcad 15 or any other legacy Mathcad version to be installed. The video was published in October 2016 and says that Mathcad 15 date code M010 or later must be installed and running. That requirement no longer applies, so you can skip 0:00 to 0:57 and start at 0:57. The converter is included with a Mathcad Prime subscription and the Mathcad Prime trial, and is installed when the converter option is checked in the Mathcad Prime installer. If the XMCD, MCD Converter button is grayed out, the converter is not installed: run the Mathcad Prime installer again and select it. Source: Moving from Legacy Mathcad to Mathcad Prime (ptc.com). Overview This short video shows how to convert legacy Mathcad worksheets (.mcd and .xmcd files created in Mathcad 15 or earlier releases) to the Mathcad Prime .mcdx format with the XMCD, MCD Converter in Mathcad Prime. It walks through adding worksheets, running a batch conversion, reading the conversion log, and reviewing the annotations the converter adds to changed regions. It is for Mathcad 15 users moving their worksheets to Mathcad Prime and runs about 4 minutes. Chapters The timestamps below match the video. • 0:00 to 0:57: Converter requirements (outdated, see the update above) • 0:57 to 1:40: Open the XMCD, MCD Converter and add worksheets • 1:40 to 2:36: Convert worksheets and read the conversion log • 2:36 to 3:44: Review and clear annotations in Mathcad Prime • 3:44 to end: Find the Mathcad Prime Migration Guide Key Takeaways • The XMCD, MCD Converter starts from the Input/Output tab in Mathcad Prime. • It converts worksheets created in Mathcad 15 or earlier releases (.mcd and .xmcd) to the Mathcad Prime .mcdx format. • Several worksheets can be converted in one batch: add them, select them all with Ctrl+A, and click Convert. Each worksheet shows a status of Converted or Failed. • Each converted .mcdx file is saved in the same location as its source file, and the source file is not modified. • The converter keeps a conversion log for each worksheet that lists the issues found, such as display differences. • In the converted worksheet, regions that need attention are marked with a red arrow. Clear Annotations on the Input/Output tab removes the markers after review. • As of November 3, 2026, the converter does not require Mathcad 15 or any legacy Mathcad version to be installed. Do you need Mathcad 15 installed to convert legacy Mathcad files to Mathcad Prime? No. As of November 3, 2026, the Mathcad Prime XMCD, MCD Converter does not require Mathcad 15 or any other legacy Mathcad version to be installed. The video, published in 2016, says the converter needed Mathcad 15 date code M010 or later installed and running, checked from Help, then About Mathcad in Mathcad 15. That check applied to the converter at the time and can be skipped with current Mathcad Prime releases. Watch: 0:00 to 0:57 (the original Mathcad 15 date code check, kept for reference only) How do I convert .mcd and .xmcd files to Mathcad Prime? Convert legacy Mathcad worksheets with the XMCD, MCD Converter in Mathcad Prime: add the worksheets, select them, and click Convert. Several worksheets can be converted in one run. • Open the converter: In Mathcad Prime, select the Input/Output tab, then XMCD, MCD Converter. • Add worksheets: Click Add Worksheets, browse to the worksheets created in Mathcad 15 or earlier releases, select them, and click Open. • Select all files: Press Ctrl+A to select every worksheet in the list. • Convert: Click Convert. Each worksheet's status changes to Converted if the conversion succeeds, or to Failed if it does not. Watch: 0:57 to 1:56 (adding two legacy worksheets and converting them in one batch) Where does the Mathcad Prime converter save the converted file, and how do I see what changed? The XMCD, MCD Converter saves each converted worksheet as a new .mcdx file in the same location as the source file, and the source file is not modified. For each worksheet, the converter also displays a conversion log that lists every issue found during conversion. Click a worksheet in the converter list to see its log. In the demo, the first worksheet has two display differences and the second has none. Watch: 1:56 to 2:36 (the conversion log for each of the two demo worksheets) How do I review and clear conversion annotations in Mathcad Prime? Open the converted .mcdx worksheet in Mathcad Prime, where every region that needs your attention is annotated with a red arrow. Click an annotation to see what changed from the source worksheet. • Open the converted worksheet: Close the converter and open the .mcdx file in Mathcad Prime. • Review each annotation: Scroll through the worksheet and click each red arrow to see the difference from the legacy worksheet. • Clear the annotations: After reviewing all differences, select the Input/Output tab, then Clear Annotations. Watch: 2:36 to 3:44 (an annotated region in a converted worksheet and the difference it describes) Where can I find the Mathcad Prime Migration Guide? The Mathcad Prime Migration Guide is in Mathcad Prime: select the Resources tab, then References, then Migration Guide. Use its Table of Contents to find detailed information about the conversion process and how to understand conversion results. Watch: 3:44 to end (opening the Migration Guide from the Resources tab) Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does converting a worksheet change or delete the original Mathcad 15 file? A: No. The converter creates a new .mcdx file in the same location and does not modify the source file. (shown at 1:56) Q: Can I convert worksheets created in versions earlier than Mathcad 15? A: Yes. The converter accepts worksheets created in Mathcad 15 or in earlier releases. (shown at 1:14) Q: What do the red arrows in a converted Mathcad Prime worksheet mean? A: They mark regions that need your attention after conversion. Click an arrow to see what changed from the source worksheet, then remove all arrows with Clear Annotations on the Input/Output tab. (shown at 3:06) Q: Can I convert several Mathcad worksheets at the same time? A: Yes. Add several worksheets to the converter, press Ctrl+A to select them all, and click Convert. (shown at 1:40) Links & Resources • Moving from Legacy Mathcad to Mathcad Prime (ptc.com) Transcript MD and PDF.zip • Other • Video Like A 1 Reply