This article explains more about LDIF files, including when and why they are used, how to open them, and what programs can convert them to a format compatible with other software.
What is LDAP and Active Directory? How does LDAP work and what is the structure of LDAP/AD?
A file with the LDIF file extension is an LDAP Data Interchange Format file that is used by Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directories. An example of the use of a directory is to store information for the purpose of authenticating users, such as the accounts associated with banks, email servers, ISPs, etc.
These files are plain text files that represent LDAP data and commands. They provide a simple way to interact with a directory to read, write, rename, and delete items, similar to how REG files can be used to manipulate the Windows registry.
An LDIF file contains individual records, or lines of text, that correspond to an LDAP directory and the items within it. They are created by exporting data from an LDAP server or by building the file from scratch, and typically contain a name, ID, object class, and various attributes (see the example below).
