---
title: Modifying the schema using the schema editor
description: You can create new attribute types or object classes in the schema editor.
component: pingdirectory
version: 11.0
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdirectory_server_administration_guide:pd_ds_adding_to_schema
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.0/pingdirectory_server_administration_guide/pd_ds_adding_to_schema.html
revdate: September 13, 2023
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", "pd_ds_delete_schema_def_2.adoc", "pd_ds_create_object_class_schema_editor_2.adoc", "pd_ds_modify_schema_def_2.adoc", "pd_ds_schema_editor_utilities.adoc", "pd_ds_schema_editor_utilities_2.adoc"]
section_ids:
  creating-a-new-attribute-type-using-the-schema-editor: Creating a new attribute type using the schema editor
  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
  steps-2: Steps
  modifying-a-schema-definition: Modifying a schema definition
  steps-3: Steps
  deleting-a-schema-definition: Deleting a schema definition
  steps-4: Steps
  result: Result:
  using-the-schema-editor-utilities: Using the schema editor utilities
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps-5: Steps
  choose-from: Choose from:
---

# Modifying the schema using the schema editor

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

When extending the schema, you shouldn't 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

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. Sign on to the admin console.

2. In the sidebar, click **LDAP Schema**.

3. On the **Attribute Types** tab, click **Actions** and select **New Attribute Type**.

   ![A screen capture showing the Actions list on the Attribute Types tab with the New Attribute Type option highlighted.](_images/admin-console-schema-new-attr.png)

4. Enter the properties for the new attribute type according to the tooltips.

5. Click **Save**.

## Creating a new object class using the schema editor

Creating a new object class is similar to creating a new attribute.

### Before you begin

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

### Steps

To create a new object class:

1. Sign on to the admin console.

2. In the sidebar, click **LDAP Schema**.

3. On the **Object Classes** tab, click **Actions** and select **New Object Class**.

   ![A screen capture showing the Actions list on the Object Classes tab with the New Object Class option highlighted.](_images/admin-console-schema-new-obj-class.png)

4. Enter the properties for the new object class.

5. In the **Attributes** box, specify the types of attributes that are required or optional for the new object class:

   1. In the **Required Attributes** list, select a required attribute.

   2. In the **Optional Attributes** list, select an optional attribute.

   3. Click the **Plus** icon ([icon: plus, set=fa]) to add an item to either list. Click the **Minus** icon ([icon: minus, set=fa]) to remove an item from either list.

6. Click **Save** to create the new object class.

## Modifying a schema definition

You can only edit read-write schema definitions in the PingDirectory server. These are usually marked as **Custom** in the schema editor.

To modify a schema definition:

### Steps

1. Sign on to the admin console.

2. In the sidebar, click **LDAP Schema**.

3. On the **Object Classes** tab, find the object class that you want to edit. For that row, click the **More Options (…​)** icon and select **Edit**.

   ![Screen capture showing the sampleObjectClass schema definition with the Edit item in the Actions list highlighted.](_images/admin-console-edit-object-class.png)

4. Make your changes and click **Save**. The console displays a success message in the lower-left corner.

## Deleting a schema definition

You can only delete schema definitions in the PingDirectory server that are read-write. These are usually marked as **Custom** in the schema editor. Ensure that the schema element you are deleting isn't currently in use.

To delete a schema definition:

## Steps

1. Sign on to the admin console.

2. In the sidebar, click **LDAP Schema**.

3. On the **Object Classes** tab, find the object class that you want to delete. For that row, click the **More Options (…​)** icon and select **Delete**.

   ![Screen capture showing the sampleObjectClass schema definition with the Delete item in the More Options list highlighted.](_images/admin-console-delete-object-class.png)

   ### Result:

   A **Warning** dialog box opens.

4. To delete the schema element, click **Delete**. The console displays a success message in the lower-left corner.

## Using the schema editor utilities

The schema editor provides a **Schema Utilities** tab where you can import new schema elements from a file and check schema compliance.

## About this task

If you are importing a schema file, the system automatically checks for compliance before the import. If the definition doesn't meet schema compliance, the system displays an error message. However, you should check if your file is compliant with your schema before importing it.

To check schema compliance using the schema editor:

## Steps

1. Sign on to the admin console.

2. In the sidebar, click **LDAP Schema**.

3. On the **Schema Utilities** tab, click **Validate Entries**.

4. In the **Validate Entries** modal, add your schema definition using one of two methods:

   ### Choose from:

   * To have the system check an LDIF file, click **Load from file** and select a file to upload.

     |   |                                                                                  |
     | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
     |   | You can also drag and drop an LDIF file into the dotted **Load from file** area. |

   * Copy and paste a new schema definition into the field.

5. Click **Validate**.

   If there is a problem with your definition, you see an error message.