diff --git a/man5/nsswitch.conf.5 b/man5/nsswitch.conf.5
index 40ca9dc1d..f78bf856d 100644
--- a/man5/nsswitch.conf.5
+++ b/man5/nsswitch.conf.5
@@ -260,16 +260,22 @@ Call the next lookup function.
 .RE
 .SS Compatibility mode (compat)
 The NSS "compat" service is similar to "files" except that it
-additionally permits special entries in
-.I /etc/passwd
+additionally permits special entries in corresponding files
 for granting users or members of netgroups access to the system.
 The following entries are valid in this mode:
 .RS 4
+.LP
+For
+.B passwd
+and
+.B shadow
+databases:
+.RS 4
 .TP 12
 .BI + user
 Include the specified
 .I user
-from the NIS passwd map.
+from the NIS passwd/shadow map.
 .TP
 .BI +@ netgroup
 Include all users in the given
@@ -278,7 +284,7 @@ Include all users in the given
 .BI \- user
 Exclude the specified
 .I user
-from the NIS passwd map.
+from the NIS passwd/shadow map.
 .TP
 .BI \-@ netgroup
 Exclude all users in the given
@@ -286,11 +292,33 @@ Exclude all users in the given
 .TP
 .B +
 Include every user, except previously excluded ones, from the
-NIS passwd map.
+NIS passwd/shadow map.
+.RE
+.LP
+For
+.B group
+database:
+.RS 4
+.TP 12
+.BI + group
+Include the specified
+.I group
+from the NIS group map.
+.TP
+.BI \- group
+Exclude the specified
+.I group
+from the NIS group map.
+.TP
+.B +
+Include every group, except previously excluded ones, from the
+NIS group map.
+.RE
 .RE
 .LP
 By default, the source is "nis", but this may be
-overridden by specifying "nisplus" as the source for the pseudo-databases
+overridden by specifying any NSS service except "compat" itself
+as the source for the pseudo-databases
 .BR passwd_compat ,
 .BR group_compat ,
 and