LDAP Administrator provides ways of exporting DIT subtrees to files as well as importing stored directory information together with modification requests from files. For example, if you wish to back up a directory subtree, you can first export it using one of the supported formats to a file in order to eventually import it back by using either LDAP Administrator or any other tool that supports directory data import.

LDAP Administrator allows exporting directory data to the following formats: LDIF, DSML, MS Excel, CSV, Plain Text and HTML. However, import is available from the following formats only: LDIF, DSML and CSV.

Data Formats Overview

LDIF (.ldif)

The LDIF format is used to convey directory information in an ASCII representation. An LDIF file consists of a series of records separated by line separators, with a record being a sequence of lines describing a directory entry, or a set of changes to a directory entry. As to an LDIF content, it just represents LDAP search response entries (i.e. data returned by search) and LDIF modification data supporting such operations as adding, deleting, editing and renaming LDAP requests.

DSML (.dsml)

The DSML format defines a vocabulary and schema for describing the structure and content of directory information in an XML document, which can then be easily retrieved by any application that uses XML. Now there are two independent and incompatible versions of this format available: DSML v.1, which only provides a means of representing directory information, and DSML v.2, which enables querying and modifying directory information in XML.

MS Excel (.xls)

This format is used by Microsoft Excel. After a file is saved, you will be able to open it in Microsoft Excel and then convert it to any other format supported by this tool. Prior to choosing this format, make sure your Windows OS has Microsoft Excel properly installed.

CSV (.csv)

This option allows importing/exporting directory data in a plain text file built according to the MS Excel CSV format specification.

Plain Text

This option allows importing/exporting directory data in a plain text file with custom field separators specified.

HTML (.html)

Choose this format if you want to publish your reports on the web. The HTML format is supported by all Internet browsers.

Except for the Microsoft Excel format which uses UNICODE, the rest of the formats work with the UTF-8 encoding.

LDAP Administrator enables you to not just export data while browsing a directory tree, but also to export search results received using the Directory Search and Quick Search tools.