---
title: ldifdiff
description: ldifdiff — compare small LDIF files
component: pingds
version: 8.1
page_id: pingds:tools-reference:ldifdiff
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/tools-reference/ldifdiff.html
section_ids:
  synopsis: Synopsis
  ldifdiff-description: Description
  ldifdiff-options: Options
  ldifdiff-exit-codes: Exit codes
---

# ldifdiff

`ldifdiff` — compare small LDIF files

## Synopsis

`ldifdiff {options} source target`

## Description

This utility can be used to compare two LDIF files and report the differences in LDIF format.

If standard input is used to specify source or target, end your input with EOF (Ctrl+D on UNIX, Ctrl+Z on Windows).

## Options

The `ldifdiff` command takes the following options:

Command options:

* `-B | --excludeBranch {branchDN}`

  Base DN of a branch to exclude when comparing entries.

* `-e | --excludeAttribute {attribute}`

  Attribute to ignore when comparing entries.

* `-o | --outputLdif {file}`

  Write differences to {file} instead of stdout. Default: stdout

* `-x | --exactMatch`

  Match values byte-for-byte instead of using equality matching rules, which can be useful when comparing schema files. Default: false

Utility input/output options:

* `-t | --wrapColumn {wrapColumn}`

  Maximum length of an output line (0 for no wrapping). Default: 0

General options:

* `-V | --version`

  Display Directory Server version information. Default: false

* `-H | --help`

  Display this usage information. Default: false

## Exit codes

* 0

  No differences were found.

* 1

  Differences were found.

* other

  An error occurred.