CTL Converter

Extract text from CTL files


Drop or upload your .CTL file
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How to extract text from your CTL file

  1. Click the "Select File" button above, and choose your CTL file.
  2. You’ll see a preview, if available.
  3. Click the "Convert file to..." button to extract text information.

Convert CTL to another file type

To convert your CTL file to another format, you need Bentley MicroStation or other Settings software.

Convert a file to CTL

To convert other file formats to the "Configuration File" file type, you need software like Bentley MicroStation or a similar tool.


About CTL files

The .CTL extension is a "chameleon" format used by distinct industries, most commonly appearing as either a CALS Raster Image or a text-based Control File.

  1. CALS Raster Graphics (30% of users): These are legacy technical drawings or faxes, often wrapped as TIFF files, created by engineering software like Bentley MicroStation. The primary disadvantage is that modern image viewers (like Windows Photos or macOS Preview) often fail to recognize the .ctl extension even if the internal data is standard. This creates a "proprietary lock-in" effect where users feel forced to buy expensive CAD software just to view a simple black-and-white schematic.
  2. Configuration & Scripts (70% of users): The remaining files are essential instructions for software like Oracle Database (SQL*Loader control), Visual Basic (UserControl), or Mastercam (CNC definitions). While these are often plain text, operating systems default to an "unknown file" state, preventing quick edits. Opening them in rich-text editors (like Word) can accidentally inject formatting that breaks the code.

Best Conversion Targets:

Convert.Guru analyzes your CTL file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.

Users also converted LNG, TXT, STL, JPG, TCL, PRN, ZIP, IBD, CSV, DAT, XML, FIG and SPV files.


FAQ

If you want to convert CTL file to JS, TS, PY, JAVA, CPP, C, CS, PHP, RB, GO, RS or SWIFT, you can use Bentley MicroStation or similar software from the "Configuration or Raster Graphics" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….

To convert SH, PY, KT, PS1, SWIFT, LUA, PL, JAVA, SCALA, JS, VBS or TS files to CTL, try Bentley MicroStation or another comparable tool in the "Configuration or Raster Graphics" category.



The CTL Converter Story

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 CTL converter.