Step-by-Step Recovery of .RDL Files from Deleted Folders

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .RDL file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

Step-by-Step Recovery of .RDL Files from Deleted Folders
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .RDL file?

Vector-based drawing format used by Bentley Microstation; saved as a "reference attachment" and is displayed with an active model, such as a .DGN or .DWG file; used for plotting or construction purposes.

What Are Common Causes of ".RDL" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".RDL" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".RDL" files while managing or organizing their files, leading to their loss.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with software or hardware can cause ".RDL" files to become corrupted or inaccessible. This can occur due to system crashes, power outages, or issues with the reporting software.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect ".RDL" files, causing them to become corrupted or deleted. This can happen if the files are downloaded from untrusted sources or if the system is not adequately protected.
  4. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as disk errors or file system corruption, can lead to the loss or failure of ".RDL" files. These errors may occur due to improper system shutdowns or hardware malfunctions.
  5. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidentally overwriting or saving changes to ".RDL" files, can result in their loss or failure.
  6. Storage media failure: If the storage media where ".RDL" files are stored, such as hard drives or flash drives, fail or become damaged, the files may become inaccessible or lost.
  7. Upgrades or migrations: When upgrading or migrating reporting software or systems, there is a possibility of ".RDL" files being lost or becoming incompatible with the new environment.

To minimize the risk of ".RDL" file loss or failure, it is recommended to regularly backup files, use reliable antivirus software, and ensure the stability and integrity of the storage media and system.

How to recover lost ".RDL" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".RDL" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".RDL" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".RDL" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".RDL" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
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Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".RDL" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".RDL" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo microStation Redline File image file file?

Programs that open ".RDL" files

Windows
Autodesk AutoCAD 2020 Autodesk AutoCAD 2020

Additional Information

  • File type: MicroStation Redline File

  • File extension: .RDL

  • Developer: Bentley Systems

  • Category: Vector Image Files

  • Format: N/A

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:27 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .RDL files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the purpose of creating a .RDL backup file?

    The purpose of creating a .RDL (Report Definition Language) backup file is to have a copy of the report definition file that can be used to restore or revert to a previous version of the report. This backup file can be helpful in scenarios where changes made to the report result in undesired outcomes or when you want to preserve a specific version of the report for future reference. By creating a backup file, you ensure that you have a backup of the report's structure, layout, and configuration, allowing you to easily revert back to a known working state if needed.

  • How can I create a .RDL backup file in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

    To create a .RDL backup file in Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, you can follow these steps:

    1. Open SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) or SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), depending on the version you are using.
    2. Connect to the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) instance where your reports are hosted.
    3. In the Solution Explorer, locate the report you want to create a backup for.
    4. Right-click on the report and select "Properties" from the context menu.
    5. In the Properties window, go to the "General" tab.
    6. In the "Output" section, change the "Output path" to a desired location where you want to save the backup file. For example, you can set it to a folder on your local machine or a network location.
    7. Save the changes by clicking "OK" in the Properties window.
    8. Right-click on the report again and select "Build" from the context menu. This will compile the report and generate the .RDL file.
    9. Once the build process completes, navigate to the specified output path. You should find the .RDL backup file there.

    By following these steps, you can create a backup of your .RDL report file in SQL Server Reporting Services.

  • How can I restore a .RDL backup file to revert changes made to a report in SQL Server Reporting Services?

    To restore a .RDL backup file and revert changes made to a report in SQL Server Reporting Services, you can follow these steps:

    1. Open SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and navigate to the Report Manager URL (e.g., http://localhost/Reports).
    2. Log in with your credentials to access the Report Manager.
    3. Locate the folder where the report is stored. If you are not sure about the folder, you can use the search functionality provided by the Report Manager.
    4. Once you find the report, click on the report name to open it.
    5. In the report view, click on the "..." (ellipsis) button in the toolbar and select "Download" to download the current .RDL file.
    6. Save the downloaded .RDL file as a backup for reference, in case you need to revert back to the changes you made.
    7. Now, locate the .RDL backup file that you want to restore and upload it to the Report Manager. You can do this by either dragging and dropping the file into the folder or by using the "Upload File" option in the toolbar.
    8. After the file is uploaded, you should see the restored report listed in the folder.
    9. Test the restored report by running it and verifying if the changes have been reverted.

    By following these steps, you should be able to restore a .RDL backup file and revert changes made to a report in SQL Server Reporting Services.
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