---
title: Viewing attributes
description: The schema editor displays all of the attribute types on your PingDirectory server instance.
component: pingdirectory
version: 11.0
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdirectory_server_administration_guide:pd_ds_view_attributes
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.0/pingdirectory_server_administration_guide/pd_ds_view_attributes.html
revdate: September 13, 2023
page_aliases: ["pd_ds_view_attr_types_schema_editor.adoc", "pd_ds_view_attr_types_over_ldap.adoc", "pd_ds_view_specific_attr_type_over_ldap.adoc"]
section_ids:
  viewing-attribute-types-using-the-schema-editor: Viewing attribute types using the schema editor
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  steps: Steps
  example: Example:
  viewing-attribute-types-over-ldap: Viewing attribute types over LDAP
  steps-2: Steps
  example-2: Example:
  viewing-a-specific-attribute-type-over-ldap: Viewing a specific attribute type over LDAP
  steps-3: Steps
  example-3: Example:
---

# Viewing attributes

The schema editor displays all of the attribute types on your PingDirectory server instance.

It shows the basic properties that are required elements in addition to the extra properties that are allowed within the attribute definition.

## Viewing attribute types using the schema editor

### Before you begin

Ensure that the PingDirectory server instance is running.

To view attribute types using the schema editor:

### Steps

1. Sign on to the admin console.

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

3. On the **Attribute Types** tab, click a specific attribute to view its definition.

   #### Example:

   To follow this example, click the `aRecord` attribute.

   ![A screen capture of the aRecord attribute window displaying sample data for the properties and restrictions of the attribute.](_images/admin-console-attribute-types.png)

4. To see the equivalent attribute definition in ASN.1 format, click the **More Options (…​)** icon on the attribute window and select **View as LDIF** in the list.

## Viewing attribute types over LDAP

### Steps

* To view an operational attribute, run `ldapsearch`.

  #### Example:

  This example uses `ldapsearch` to view the multi-valued operational attribute `attributeTypes`, which publishes the definitions on the PingDirectory server.

  |   |                                                    |
  | - | -------------------------------------------------- |
  |   | The attribute is stored in the subschema subentry. |

  ```shell
  $ bin/ldapsearch --baseDN cn=schema --searchScope base \
    "(objectclass=*)" attributeTypes
  ```

## Viewing a specific attribute type over LDAP

### Steps

* To search for a specific attribute, run `ldapsearch` with the `--dontWrap` option and use the `grep` command.

  #### Example:

  ```shell
  $ bin/ldapsearch --baseDN cn=schema \
    --searchScope base --dontWrap "(objectclass=*)" \
    attributeTypes | grep 'personalTitle'
  ```