Opening RDL Files

The RDL file type is primarily associated with SQL Server.

RDL	File extension: RDL
	File type:	report definition

What is an RDL file?

RDL files mostly belong to SQL Server by Microsoft. RDL filename extension is mainly associated with report definition files used to generate reports via the SQL Server Reporting Services component of SQL Server relational database management system. The contents of such RDL files are written in XML format using Visual Studio integrated development environment. RDL is also the filename extension of RedLine files which are used to markup a layer that is placed atop the vector-based drawings (DGN or DWG files) created with Microstation computer aided design software. These RDL files are used in plotting and construction operations without modifying the drawing itself. RDL filename extension is also associated with a container format used to store compact disc labels created with the CD DVD Label Maker program developed by RonyaSoft. The container includes thumbnails, images, text, and other information used to print a compact disc album label. Paradox relational database management system saves delivered objects in RDL files.

How can I open an RDL file?

You need a suitable software like SQL Server to open an RDL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your RDL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a RDL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online RDL Text Viewer

Choose your .rdl file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from RDL files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

If you want to extract texts from RDL file or capture a screenshot, you can use our free Online RDL File Viewer:

To do this, click the button "Choose your .rdl file to view" on this page.
Your RDL file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert RDL files:

SQL Server by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. RDL files are often referred to as SQL Server databases because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
CD DVD Label Maker (compact disc label) by RonyaSoft
CD DVD Label Maker is a program used to design and print labels for compact discs. It saves labels as container files that have RDL filename extension. Each label is made up of a BMP thumbnail, the actual label design, and well as XML metadata files. This file format is classified as Data.
Descent (registered level) by Interplay
Descent is an obsolete 3D first-person shooter video game for MS-DOS, Macintosh, RISC, and PlayStation platforms. Registered game levels in Descent are saved in RDL files. This file format is classified as Game.
MicroStation (drawing layer) by Bentley
MicroStation is a computer-aided design software for drafting and rendering 2D and 3D vector-based drawings used in building information modeling and engineering industries. Its RDL file references a DGN (drawing) file in order to markup a layer that appears at the top of a drawing without changing the drawing. This file format is classified as Vector Image.
Paradox (delivered reports) by Corel
Paradox is a relational database management system distributed as part of WordPerfect office productivity software suite. Delivered reports used by Paradox are saved in RDL files. This file format is classified as Database.
RadioDestiny (radio stream) by Destiny
Radio Destiny was a software suite of audio streaming applications that allowed anyone with a Windows computer to start their own radio station. RDL is an audio streaming format that was used by Radio Destiny. This file format is classified as Audio.
Symbian (recognizer library) by Nokia
Symbian is a discontinued smartphone operating system. Its recognizer library was stored in an RDL file. The recognizer library is a utility that allowed Symbian operating system to recognize various document formats. This file format is classified as Data.

RDL format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our analysis of the RDL files produces the following result:

RDL is a very common file type and predominantly uses a uniform format. However, the following two file formats are common:

85% of all RDL files belong to SQL Server Reporting Services Report Definition Language. The files are using the common file format XML. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple text-based format for representing structured information: documents, webpages, data, configuration, books, transactions, invoices, and much more. XML defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. These files are text files, so they contain words and text. The files are on average 110 KB in size and range from 32 KB to 400 KB. The file type was developed only in the last few years. The files contain the following words: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>, <Report xmlns:rd="http://schemas.microsoft.com/SQLServer/reporting/reportdesigner", http://schemas.microsoft.com/sqlserver/reporting/2010/01/ and http://schemas.microsoft.com/sqlserver/reporting/2016/01/reportdefinition. These files are attributed to report, summary, detail, reporte, tablero, sales, invoice and order.
5% of all RDL files start with the magic bytes STOR, which are always the first bytes of this file format. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. Most of these files are 47 KB to 3 MB in size. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as Created with RonyaSoft Doc Engine, STOR, Uhi;, Page0001, Thumb0001.bmp and Index.xml. Files like these are about cover, bleeds, insert, front and label.

The remaining 10% of all RDL files are different files with different signatures, the following 5 formats can be found: DOC and EXE. Files like these are sometimes linked to status, asset, details, client, dashboard, estudios, account, project, reports, trading, cover, label, sheet, book or user. If you want to find out what your RDL file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for RDL File Extension

File classification:

Database

Related files:

rld, redl, rdlc, xml, rdlx, zip, xlsx, pdf, data, sql, rpl, sgml, cdr, rdf, dxf, rd, lst, slddrw, db, spl, mdf, ldf, ndf

Mime type:

text/xml, application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: RDLFile, FileType: Paradox Report (Delivered), AppName: PfW Runtime Desktop
EXEFile: PdxRwn32.exe

ProgramID: PdoxwinReport
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Borland\Paradox\pdxwin32.exe -b %1

ProgramID: RDLFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Programs\pdxwin32.exe -b %1

ProgramID: View Station Document
EXEFile: C:\View\Station\Image.exe %1

ProgramID: MicroStation RDL File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Bentley\Program\PowerDraft\draft.exe %1

ProgramID: MicroStation RDL File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Bentley\Program\MicroStation\ustation.exe %1

ProgramID: RDLFIle
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Paradox 9 Runtime\Programs\PdxRwn32.exe -b %1

ProgramID: MicroStation RDL File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Bentley\Program\View\BentleyView.exe

ProgramID: SQLServer.ReportingServices.Designer.ReportDefinition
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\PrivateAssemblies\..\devenv.exe

ProgramID: MicroStation RDL File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Bentley_NoCADtools\Program\MicroStation\ustation.exe

Show all 10 listings To Top

an rdl report definition is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with RDL files

Associate the RDL file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open report definitions. Because only the current version supports the latest RDL file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Microsoft manufacturer website after an available SQL Server update.
To make sure that your RDL file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .RDL file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.