Free online LDIF to CSV converter
Convert LDAP contact exports into editable, widely supported CSV tables.
Convert LDIF to CSV online - free
Column separator
Excel in many European languages expects a semicolon; with commas it puts everything into one column.
Character encoding
If Excel shows broken accents, choose UTF-8 with BOM or the Windows code page.
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
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Upload your .ldif file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
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Perform .ldif to .csv conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
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Download converted .csv file
Conversion result is ready to download.
How to convert ldif to csv file
- Contacts and address books
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An LDAP directory export may need conversion when a spreadsheet, mail-merge tool, or contact manager accepts CSV but not LDIF. CSV makes contact fields easier to edit, share, and import, but it does not preserve every directory feature.
What LDIF is
LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF) is a text format for representing LDAP directory entries and directory changes. LDAP servers, directory-administration tools, and address-book applications such as Mozilla Thunderbird use it to exchange or back up directory data.
What CSV is
Comma-separated values (CSV) stores records in rows and fields in columns. Spreadsheet programs, contact managers, and mail-merge tools commonly import it, and its plain-text structure makes contact lists easy to inspect and edit. CSV is a flat table, so it cannot represent all LDIF attributes, relationships, or directory operations.
How to convert an LDIF file
Online on 101convert.com
- Open the converter on this page and upload the LDIF file. You can add several files for batch conversion; the page displays the per-file size limit.
- Before converting, set the column separator and character encoding.
- Run the conversion and download the resulting CSV file or files.
Offline with desktop software
Mozilla Thunderbird is free and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. In its Address Book, choose Tools → Import (or the equivalent Import command in newer versions), select the option to import an LDIF file, and import the contacts. Select the imported address book, choose Tools → Export or the equivalent Export command, select CSV, and save the file. Menu labels vary by version.
Compatibility and data limits
LDIF may contain directory change records, distinguished names, repeated attributes, and group information that do not map to a contact-list row. CSV export can omit or flatten such data; check that required fields became columns and that names, email addresses, and phone numbers remain intact. When opening the result elsewhere, use the same separator and a compatible character encoding to avoid misread columns or characters.
LDIF vs CSV: format comparison
How the LDIF and CSV formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .LDIF LDAP Data Interchange Format | .CSV Comma-Separated Values |
|---|---|---|
| Plain-text readable | Yes | Yes |
| Data types | Typed | Typed |
| Nested structures | Yes | No |
| Formulas | No | No |
| Multiple tables or sheets | No | No |
| Typical file size | Small | Small |
| Open standard | Yes | Yes |
| Best used for | Data exchange | Data exchange |
| Introduced | 1993 | — |
| Developer | IETF | — |
| MIME type | text/ldif | text/csv |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Suggested software and links: ldif to csv converters
Frequently asked questions
Is the LDIF to CSV converter free?
Yes, converting LDIF to CSV on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my LDIF file be?
You can upload LDIF files up to 3 MB and convert up to 3 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 15 MB per file and 100 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert LDIF to CSV?
No. The LDIF to CSV conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid LDIF file for this LDIF to CSV conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.