Add group members from file

This article describes how to identify the users to add them to the group as members.

Active Directory groups

NOTE: You can add to an Exchange On-premises Distribution groups only mail-enabled users. Such users must have mailNickName attribute populated.

You can use email, SamAccountName (login name), or UserPrincipalName attributes to identify the users to be added to the Active Directory groups as members.

Microsoft 365 groups

You can use the UserPrincipalName and mail attributes to identify the users or guests to be added to the Microsoft 365 groups as members.

Add users with a comma-separated list

Comma-separated format – The file should be a simple text file with the user information separated by commas.

Example file format:

wendy.smith@domain.com,howard.jones,james@domain.

NOTE: Do not use quotation marks within the CSV file.

If the added user doesn't exist, an Object not found notification is displayed.

Upload the comma-separated file to add users to a group:

1. Click the checkbox to the left of the Group’s name to select the group.

2. On the Actions menu, click Add Members from file.

3. At the right end of the File Name field click the File icon.

4. Select the file and click OK.

5. Under Content type, verify that the Comma separated option is selected.

6. Click the Add button.

Add users with a single column list

First row contains header – the first row in the text file contains data that does not represent user e-mail, samaccountname (windows logon), or userprincipalname.

Single column format – The file should be a simple text file with the user information on separate lines.

Example file format:

wendy.smith@domain.com howard.jones james@domain

Upload a one column file to add users to a group:

1. Click the checkbox to the left of the Group’s name to select the group.

2. On the Actions menu, click Add Members from file.

3. At the right end of the File Name field click the File icon.

4. Select the file and click OK.

5. Under Content type, verify that the Single column option is selected.

6. Click the Add button.