<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000820738</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RAINING DATA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RDTA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000889926</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ASTORIA CAPITAL PARTNERS L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6600 S.W. NINETY SECOND AVE., SUITE 370</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97223</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>5% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2008</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>292470.00</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>292470.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-02-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-05-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>58494</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23754504.00</value>
                </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Receipt of additional notes as interest payment on notes held.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents the issuance of additional notes at the option of the issuer as payment in kind for interest payments due July 1, 2004.  Issuer may, at its option, make future quarterly interest payments by issuing additional notes.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Astoria Capital Partners L.P., By: Astoria Capital Management, By: /s/ Melissa Dehn Its: Chief Compliance Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

