Using templates is critical when it comes to creating multiple entries of a similar kind, i.e. each containing a resembling set of attributes. Templates is a special means to make new entries easily and quickly based on the ones already existing. Having created an entry template in LDAP Administrator, you'll be able to further use it whenever you need to during entry creation.

Besides, templates may prove handy when all you manage is just a few entries. In this case there's no need to go through all the list of objectclasses supported by your server every now and then.

What an entry template usually contains is a selection of attributes either with or without the values present in the source entry. Moreover attribute values can contain references to substitute them with values of other attributes. Learn more about Attribute Value References.

Each attribute in a template is marked as Required or as Optional. By default, marking of attributes depends on the LDAP schema, but you can still change this status when creating a new template. If a template attribute is marked as Required, it means it must be present in the entry being created based on this template. Finally, apart from its own description, a template also stores an RDN of the entry used for its creation - an important fact when needing to build a new entry.

Entry templates are divided in two groups: Profile Specific and Shared. Profile Specific templates are represented by the icon, while Shared Templates are marked with the icon. Once created, a Profile Specific template becomes available within the context of a profile it has been created in. As to Shared Templates, they are accessible from any server profile. In order to enable you to move templates between the two groups, as well as to edit them, LDAP Administrator implements a tool called the Entry Template Manager.