---
title: makeldif
description: makeldif — generate test LDIF
component: pingds
version: 8.1
page_id: pingds:tools-reference:makeldif
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/tools-reference/makeldif.html
section_ids:
  synopsis: Synopsis
  makeldif-description: Description
  makeldif-options: Options
  exit_codes: Exit codes
  makeldif-see-also: See also
---

# makeldif

`makeldif` — generate test LDIF

## Synopsis

`makeldif {options} template-file-path`

## Description

This utility can be used to generate LDIF data based on a definition in a template file.

The *template-file-path* can be one of the following:

* A full path to the template file such as `/path/to/opendj/config/MakeLDIF/example.template` .

* A relative path to the template file such as `../../my-test-data.template` .

* A file name that specifies one of the template files, such as `example.template` , or `people_and_groups.template` .

The following default template and data files are provided:

* `cities`

  List of more than 200 cities.

* `example.template`

  Template to generate a base entry and users in a branch `ou=people,[suffix]` , where the default setting for suffix is `suffix=dc=example,dc=com` .

* `first.names`

  List of more than 8000 first names.

* `last.names`

  List of more than 13000 last names.

* `people_and_groups.template`

  Template to generate a base entry, users, and groups.

* `states`

  List of US states by their two-character codes.

* `streets`

  List of more than 70 street names.

## Options

The `makeldif` command takes the following options:

Command options:

* `-c | --constant {name=value}`

  A constant that overrides the value set in the template file.

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

  The path to the LDIF file to be written. If the filename ends in .gz, the output will be gzipped.

* `-r | --resourcePath {path}`

  Path to look for MakeLDIF resources (e.g., data files). The utility looks for resources in the following locations in this order:

  1. The current directory where the command is run.

  2. The resource path directory.

  3. The built-in files.

* `-s | --randomSeed {seed}`

  The seed to use to initialize the random number generator. To always generate the same data with the same command, use the same non-zero seed value. A value of zero (the default) results in different data each time the tool is run. 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.

* 1

  An error occurred.

## See also

[makeldif-template](makeldif-template.html)