Extract text from Border and diagnostic files (BDR)
To convert BDR Border files to another format, you need Microsoft Publisher or other Data software.
To convert other file formats to the "Software Settings & Diagnostic Data" file type, you need software like Microsoft Publisher or a similar tool.
The .BDR file extension is heavily fragmented and primarily serves two entirely different purposes: Microsoft Publisher Border Art files and Mercury Marine Engine Diagnostic recordings. In desktop publishing, these files store repetitive border patterns and graphical frames used by Microsoft Publisher and older versions of Microsoft Word. In the maritime industry, .BDR files contain engine telemetry and fault logs generated by Mercury Marine G3 diagnostic systems. Additionally, the extension is sometimes used for OTDR fiber optic traces (Bellcore/Telcordia SR-4731 standard) or Badmail non-delivery reports on Microsoft Exchange Server.
Handling .BDR files is notoriously frustrating because they rely on closed, proprietary ecosystems. Publisher borders cannot be opened in modern vector tools like Adobe Illustrator and are unsupported by web browsers. Mercury Marine files are even more restrictive, requiring thousands of dollars in dealer-only diagnostic software to read the engine logs. Exchange badmail files are plain text but carry an obscure extension that confuses standard text editors.
To make these files useful, conversion is mandatory. For border graphics, convert .BDR to PNG or SVG for web design, or PDF for print layouts. For engine diagnostics or badmail logs, convert to CSV or TXT so you can analyze the raw data in Microsoft Excel.
Convert.Guru analyzes your BDR file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted BRD, PDF, ZIP, FMD, DOCXENX and LET files.
If you want to convert BDR file to TXT, RTF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, PAGES, TEX, LATEX, MD, MARKDOWN, LOG or NFO, you can use Microsoft Publisher or similar software from the "Border Art & Diagnostics Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert PDF, DOC, ASC, TODO, NFO, MEMO, README, DOCX, JPG, TXT, NOTE or RTF files to BDR, try Microsoft Publisher or another comparable tool in the "Border Art & Diagnostics Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our BDR converter.