ArcMap 10.3.1 .mxd file won't work

Question

I need to open an .mxd file on ArcMap but when I do it just comes up blank. What could be the problem and how can I fix it?

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

now you are clear... if there are just 2 *dbf files..you should be looking at the mxd's table of contents to show the 'source' since the dbf may or may not contain coordinates, hence it won't show up in the map view, but in the table view, you can right-click on the file and open its table

Using the table of contents—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

KaylaniMendez · Answer

I have the 10.3.1, the file was created with 10.4.1. I tried the save as copy function to make it compatible, didn't work. So now I'm downloading the 10.4.1 version to see if that will fix it. If not, what could it be? There are two .dbf folders with the .mxd file, so I guess all the info needed is there.

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

So more info needed...

What version of arcmap are you  using?

what version of arcmap was used to save it? and is it the same version as yours?

can you open up another project? just not this one?

was the project inside a zip file and you forgot to unzip it?

are you trying to load the project from a usb drive? sometimes arc* doesn't like them

more to come... you need to provide more details before we suggest using the ...

Using the MXD Doctor utility—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop