What Is an LDIF File?

This article explains more about LDIF files, like when and why they're used, how to open one, and which programs are able to convert one into a format compatible with other software.

What Is an LDIF File?

A file with the LDIF file extension is an LDAP Data Interchange Format file used by Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directories. An example use for a directory may be 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 that represent LDAP data and commands. They provide a simple way to communicate with a directory to read, write, rename, and delete entries, similar to how REG files can be used to manipulate the Windows Registry.

Inside an LDIF file are separate records, or lines of text, that correspond to an LDAP directory and the items inside it. They're created by either exporting data from an LDAP server or building the file from scratch, and typically include a name, ID, object class, and various attributes (see the example below).

Some LDIF files are just used to store address book information for email clients or record keeping applications.

How to Open an LDIF File

They can be opened for free with Microsoft's Active Directory Explorer and JXplorer. Although it's not free, another program that should support LDIF files is Softerra's LDAP Administrator.

Windows Server 2003 and 2008 have built-in support for importing and exporting LDIF files into Active Directory through a command-line tool called Ldifde.

Since the format is simply plain text, you can also open and edit one of these files using the built-in Notepad application in Windows. If you're using a Mac or would like a different option for Windows, use a free text editor as an alternative.

Below is an example of what an LDIF file looks like when opened in a text editor. The purpose for this particular one is to add a phone number to the entry that corresponds with this user.

dn: cn=John Doe, ou=Artists, l=San Francisco, c=US
changetype: modify
add: telephonenumber
telephonenumber: +1 415 555 0002

The LDIF file extension is also used to store address book data. If that's what your file contains, then you can open it with those types of applications, like Thunderbird or Apple's Contacts in macOS.

How to Convert an LDIF File

NextForm Lite should be able to convert LDIF to CSV, XML, TXT, and other text-based formats, as well as convert other formats into the LDIF format.

If you're using a program like Thunderbird, you can export your address book to the CSV format without having to convert the LDIF file, through the Tools > Export menu.

Still Can't Open It?

If you still can't open your file even after trying the LDIF openers above and attempting to convert the file, the problem might be simple: you could be misreading the file extension and confusing it with a file that uses a similar suffix but isn't at all related to the LDAP format.

One example is the LDB file extension that's used for Microsoft Access Lock files and Max Payne Level files. Again, neither of these formats function in the same way as LDIF files, so the programs from above can't open either one.

The same idea is true behind DIFF, LIF, and LDM files. The latter might look awfully similar in spelling to the LDIF file extension but that suffix is used for VolumeViz Multi-Resolution Volume files.

If your file doesn't open with the suggestions from above, check that you're reading the suffix correctly, and then research whatever file extension is attached to the end of the file. That's the easiest way to learn what format it's in and which program can open or convert it.