LDAP Data Interchange Format provides a mechanism for representing directory data in text format. LDIF data is typically used to initialize directory databases, but also may be used to move data between different directories that cannot replicate directly, or even as an alternative backup format. This chapter shows you how to backup and restore OpenDJ data, including how to import and export LDIF. This chapter also covers creating test data in LDIF format, and manipulating LDIF data with command-line tools.