Working with command-line tools and LDIF files is constructive, but certainly not convenient. There are a number of graphical editors and browsers for LDAP that make it easier to see what you're doing. I won't discuss any of these in detail, but I'll give you some pointers to some tools that are worth looking at:
GQ is a GTK+-based LDAPv3 client capable of browsing the subSchema entry on LDAPv3 servers. It is distributed under the GNU GPL and includes features such as:
Support for browsing or searching LDAP servers
Support for editing and deleting directory entries
Support for creating template entries based on existing ones
Support for exporting subtrees or an entire directory to an LDIF file
Support for multiple server profiles
SASL authentication
This is an editor written in Java using the JNDI class libraries. It supports:
LDAPv2 and v3 servers, including SSL connections
Editing attribute values
Searching for specific entries
Exporting and importing data using LDIF files
Creating template entries
Utilizing multiple server profiles
The Softerra LDAP Browser is a freely available, Win32-based browser and editor for Windows 98/NT/2000 clients. The browser has the following qualities:
Support for a familiar Windows Explorer-like interface
Support for LDAPv2 and v3
Support for SSL connections for v3 sessions
Support for multiple server profiles, similar to the GQ editor
Support for exporting entries and subtrees to an LDIF file