---
title: "LDAP Data Sources"
slug: "ldap-data-sources"
updated: 2025-10-27T14:05:18Z
published: 2025-10-27T14:05:18Z
canonical: "docs.plainid.io/ldap-data-sources"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.plainid.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# LDAP Data Sources

LDAP repositories require specific connection and schema configuration in addition to the general steps for creating a Data Source. Begin by following the standard process described in [Data Sources](/docs/data-sources), then use the LDAP-specific instructions below to complete the setup.

### Creating an LDAP Data Source

**To create a Data Source based on an LDAP repository**:

1. Under **Connection Adapter**, select **LDAP**.

![LDAP Connection](https://cdn.document360.io/726c7002-05a9-480e-b986-42c9e8824acd/Images/Documentation/image%2832%29.png)
2. In **Connection Settings**, provide:
  - **LDAP URL**
  - **LDAP Admin User DN**
  - **LDAP Admin User Password**
  - **Base DN for LDAP Searches**
3. Click **Test Connection** to verify the credentials and connection.
4. In the **Models** section:

**DDL Pattern:**

```
CREATE FOREIGN TABLE <table name> (
    <attr1> string options(nameinsource '<attr name in ldap>'),
    <attr2> string options(nameinsource '<attr name in ldap>'),
    …
) OPTIONS(nameinsource '<Base DN>?<Search-Scope>?<Object-Class>?updatable false');
```

**Example:**

```
CREATE FOREIGN TABLE LDAP_TEST (
    Name string options(nameinsource 'sAMAccountname'),
    Company string options(nameinsource 'company'),
    CommonName string options(nameinsource 'cn')
) OPTIONS(nameinsource 'cn=pidAdmin,ou=users,dc=example,dc=com?SUBTREE_SCOPE?User?updatable false');
```

> **Note:** `Search-Scope` can be one of: `SUBTREE_SCOPE`, `OBJECT_SCOPE`, or `ONELEVEL_SCOPE` (default if omitted).
  - Enter a unique **Model Name**.
  - In the **DDL** field, define the schema using a valid DDL pattern that maps LDAP attributes.
5. (Optional) Under **Translator Properties**, add key-value pairs for advanced control. Most use cases do not require these settings.

For reference, see [Translator Properties for LDAP](/v1/docs/ldap-data-sources#translator-properties-for-ldap)
6. Click **Create** to save and register the LDAP Data Source in the Platform.

### Translator Properties for LDAP

| Parameter | Description | Default |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SearchDefaultBaseDN | Default Base DN for LDAP Searches | Null |
| SearchDefaultScope | Default Scope for LDAP Searches. Can be one of SUBTREE_SCOPE, OBJECT_SCOPE, ONELEVEL_SCOPE. | ONELEVEL_SCOPE |
| RestrictToObjectClass | Restrict Searches to objectClass named in the Name field for a table | False |
| UsePagination | Use a PagedResultsControl to page through large results. This is not supported by all directory servers. | False |
| ExceptionOnSizeLimitExceeded | Set to true to throw an exception when a SizeLimitExceededException is received and a LIMIT is not properly enforced. | False |

#### LDAP Connector Limitations

Due to limitations in LDAP, the following capabilities are not supported in the LDAP Connector.

1. Aggregates
2. Aliased Groups
3. BETWEEN Criteria
4. Case Expressions
5. Correlated Subqueries
6. EXISTS Criteria
7. Functions
8. Inline views
9. IS NULL criteria
10. Joins
11. NOT criteria
12. ORDER BY
13. Quantified compare criteria
14. Row Offset
15. Searched Case Expressions
16. Select Distinct
17. Select Literals
18. UNION
19. XA Transactions