---
title: Modifying the schema
description: Extend the PingDirectory schema in the admin console schema editor by creating new attribute types and object classes.
component: pingdirectory
version: 10.3
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdirectory_server_administration_guide:pd_ds_adding_to_schema
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/pingdirectory_server_administration_guide/pd_ds_adding_to_schema.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2023-09-13T00:00:00Z
page_aliases: ["pd_ds_create_new_attribute_type.adoc", "pd_ds_create_object_class_schema_editor.adoc", "pd_ds_modify_schema_def.adoc", "pd_ds_delete_schema_def.adoc"]
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/pingdirectory_server_administration_guide/pd_ds_adding_to_schema.html
section_ids:
  creating-a-new-attribute-type-using-the-schema-editor: Creating a new attribute type using the schema editor
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  creating-a-new-object-class-using-the-schema-editor: Creating a new object class using the schema editor
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task-2: About this task
  steps-2: Steps
  modifying-a-schema-definition: Modifying a schema definition
  about-this-task-3: About this task
  steps-3: Steps
  deleting-a-schema-definition: Deleting a schema definition
  about-this-task-4: About this task
  steps-4: Steps
  result: Result:
---

# Modifying the schema

You can create new attribute types or object classes in the schema editor.

When extending the schema, you should not modify native schema elements. Click the corresponding tab for the task that you want to perform.

## Creating a new attribute type using the schema editor

### About this task

You can create attribute types for any new properties that logically belong to objects in your directory. To create a new attribute type:

### Steps

1. Start the admin console.

2. In the top-level navigation menu, select **LDAP Schema**.

3. Click the **Attribute Types** tab, and then in the **Actions** list, select **New Attribute Type**.

   ![A screen capture showing the Actions list in the Attribute Types tab with the New Attribute Types option highlighted.](_images/cgk1681144107232.png)

4. Enter the properties for the new attribute types according to the help text.

5. Click **Save**.

## Creating a new object class using the schema editor

### Before you begin

Make sure that any attributes that are part of the new object class are defined before creating the object class.

### About this task

Creating a new object class is similar to creating a new attribute. To create a new object class:

### Steps

1. Start the admin console.

2. In the top-level navigation menu, select **LDAP Schema**.

3. Click the **Object Classes** tab, and then in the **Actions** list, select **New Object Class**.

   ![A screen capture showing the Actions list in the Object Classes tab with the New Object Class option highlighted.](_images/ord1681144289913.png)

4. Enter the properties for the new object class.

5. In the **Attributes** box, filter the types of attributes required for the new object class. Click the right arrow to move it into the **Required** or the **Optional** box.

   |   |                                                                                   |
   | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | All custom attributes appear at the bottom of the list in the **Attributes** box. |

## Modifying a schema definition

### About this task

You can only edit schema definitions in the PingDirectory server that are read-write. The schema elements indicated by the **Modifiable** column in the schema editor's tables can be modified.

To modify a schema definition:

### Steps

1. Start the admin console.

2. In the top-level navigation menu, click **Schema**.

3. Click the **Object Classes** tab.

4. Select the object class that you want to modify, and then click **Actions → Edit**.

   ![Screen capture showing the sampleObjectClass schema definition with the Edit item in the Actions list highlighted.](_images/msu1681144944422.png)

5. Make your changes and click **OK**.

## Deleting a schema definition

### About this task

You can only delete schema definitions in the PingDirectory server that are read-write. In general, you can only remove schema definitions in the **Custom** folder of the schema editor. Ensure that the schema element you are deleting is not currently in use.

To delete a schema definition:

### Steps

1. Start the admin console.

2. In the top-level navigation menu, click **Schema**.

3. Click the **Object Classes** tab.

4. Select the object class that you want to remove, and then in the **Actions** list, select **Delete**.

   ![Screen capture showing the sampleObjectClass schema definition with the Delete item in the Actions list highlighted.](_images/vop1681145195450.png)

   #### Result:

   The **Confirmation** dialog box opens.

5. To delete the schema element, click **Yes**.