---
title: Managing an object class over LDAP
description: Manage an object class schema element over LDAP by adding a new attribute element to an existing object class. You can create your own schema file or enter the schema from the command line. In either case, you must pay special attention to text spacing and ASN.1 formatting.
component: pingdirectory
version: 11.1
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdirectory_server_administration_guide:pd_ds_manage_object_class_ldap
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/pingdirectory_server_administration_guide/pd_ds_manage_object_class_ldap.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: May 10, 2024
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  steps: Steps
  example: Example:
  example-2: Example:
  example-3: Example:
  example-4: Example:
  result: Result:
  example-5: Example:
  example-6: Example:
---

# Managing an object class over LDAP

Manage an object class schema element over LDAP by adding a new attribute element to an existing object class. You can create your own schema file or enter the schema from the command line. In either case, you must pay special attention to text spacing and ASN.1 formatting.

## Before you begin

Define the attribute you want to add to the custom schema file.

## Steps

The following example procedure adds a predefined attribute, `contractorAddress`, to the custom schema file, then adds it to the `contractor` object class.

1. Create and save an LDIF file with the content in the following example.

   ### Example:

   In this example, the file is named `contractorAddress-attr.ldif`.

   ```
   dn: cn=schema
   changetype: modify
   add: attributeTypes
   attributeTypes: ( contractor-OID NAME 'contractorAddress'
     SYNTAX 1.3.6.1.4.1.1466.115.121.1.15
     SINGLE-VALUE
     USAGE userApplications
     X-ORIGIN 'user defined'
     X-SCHEMA-FILE '98-custom-schema.ldif' )
   ```

2. To add the attribute you defined, run `ldapmodify`.

   ### Example:

   In this example, the `contractorAddress` attribute is being added.

   ```shell
   $ bin/ldapmodify --filename contractorAddress-attr.ldif
   ```

3. To modify the contractor object class to allow this attribute, create an LDIF file.

   When doing this, you're submitting the updated object class. The PingDirectory server handles the proper replacement of the existing object class with the new one.

   |   |                                                    |
   | - | -------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | Ensure that the lines don't wrap in the LDIF file. |

   ### Example:

   In this example, the file is named `contractor-oc.ldif`.

   ```
   dn: cn=schema
   changetype: modify
   add: objectClasses
   objectClasses: ( contractor-OID NAME 'contractor'
     DESC 'Contractor status information'
     SUP top
     AUXILIARY MAY ( contractorStatus $ contractorAgency $ contractorAddress )
     X-ORIGIN 'Directory Server Example'
     X-SCHEMA-FILE '98-custom-schema.ldif' )
   ```

4. To update the object class, run `ldapmodify`.

   ### Example:

   ```shell
   $ bin/ldapmodify --filename contractor-oc.ldif
   ```

   ### Result:

   These schema changes are replicated to all servers in the replication topology.

5. To verify the change, review the `config/schema/98-custom-schema.ldif` file on the other servers in the replication topology.

6. (Optional) To add an index for this attribute, run `dsconfig` with the `create-local-db-index` option. You must do this on each server in your topology unless you have server configuration groups set up. Learn more in [Configuring server groups](pd_ds_config_server_groups.html).

   ### Example:

   ```shell
   $ bin/dsconfig create-local-db-index --backend-name userRoot \
     --index-name contractorAddress --set index-type:equality
   ```

7. Rebuild the index online.

   |   |                                                                                                                 |
   | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | This doesn't affect other indexes or entries because there is no existing data for this attribute on any entry. |

   ### Example:

   ```shell
   $ bin/rebuild-index --baseDN dc=example,dc=com --index contractorAddress
   ```