It's certainly true that an open file can sometimes just lead to exchanges of Rooks. But there are still a number of ways to use the Rook's pressure on a file.
One of the best ways is to support a Knight outpost. Consider this sort of position:
White plays Nd5, giving the Knight a powerful post in the center. Black can kick it out by arranging to play c7-c6, but this weakens the d6-Pawn and exposes it to frontal pressure from White's Rook.
Another key idea in Rook play is to use half-open files instead of fully open files. For example, after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 Nxd4 (a very common line in the Sicilian) White has a half-open d-file and Black has a half-open c-file. The two players can use these files to generate pressure, without conceding an exchange of Rooks.
Most beginner and advanced videos I've seen emphasizes the power of a Rook on a column, yet every time I hold an open column with a rook it just becomes useless. Minor pieces are always protected and my opponents always end up forcing all the rooks to be traded by contesting with their rooks.
So please, if someone with some experience can enlighten me with some examples of how rooks on an aisle are actually helpful, ty.