---
title: ldifsearch
description: ldifsearch — search LDIF with LDAP filters
component: pingds
version: 8.1
page_id: pingds:tools-reference:ldifsearch
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/tools-reference/ldifsearch.html
section_ids:
  synopsis: Synopsis
  ldifsearch-description: Description
  ldifsearch-options: Options
  exit_codes: Exit codes
---

# ldifsearch

`ldifsearch` — search LDIF with LDAP filters

## Synopsis

`ldifsearch {options} source filter [attributes …​]`

## Description

This utility can be used to perform search operations against entries contained in an LDIF file.

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

## Options

The `ldifsearch` command takes the following options:

Command options:

* `-A | --typesOnly`

  Only retrieve attribute names but not their values. Default: false

* `-b | --baseDn {baseDN}`

  The base DN for the search. If no base DN is provided, then the root DSE will be used. Default:

* `-l | --timeLimit {timeLimit}`

  Maximum length of time in seconds to allow for the search. Default: 0

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

  Write search results to {file} instead of stdout. Default: stdout

* `-s | --searchScope {searchScope}`

  Search scope ('base', 'one', 'sub', or 'subordinates'). Note: 'subordinates' is an LDAP extension that might not work with all LDAP servers. Default: sub

* `-z | --sizeLimit {sizeLimit}`

  Maximum number of entries to return from the search. Default: 0

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

  The command completed successfully.

* \> 0

  An error occurred.