Adding multiple contact lists to a distribution list using PowerShell

Question

Adding multiple contact lists to a distribution list using PowerShell

IT 140

I have created ten mail contacts for parents of Year 7 and I created a distribution list so the admin can send announcements to the DL.

I need help adding these contact lists to the DL using PowerShell command.

VasimTamboli 5,215

i took AI's help to generate Script so i can be used in on-premises and And cloud version as well.

Please modify based on your requirement and test on sandbox environment.

# Prompt the user for their credentials
$credentials = Get-Credential

# Enable execution policy
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

# Install required modules
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Graph -Scope CurrentUser

# Get the name of the distribution list
$distributionListName = Read-Host "Enter the name of the distribution list:"

# Get the names of the contact lists
$contactListNames = Read-Host "Enter the names of the contact lists, separated by commas:"

# Split the contact list names into an array
$contactListArray = $contactListNames.Split(",")

# Add the contact lists to the distribution list
foreach ($contactListName in $contactListArray) {
    Add-DistributionGroupMember -Identity $distributionListName -Member $contactListName
}

# Write a message to the console
Write-Host "The contact lists have been added to the distribution list."

IT Admin 0 Reputation points

2024-07-02T02:34:49.0333333+00:00

Are you not confusing "Contact Lists" with "Distribution Lists" - they are not the same thing.

1 answer

Your answer

VasimTamboli 5,215 Reputation points

2023-11-25T16:32:57.7733333+00:00

i took AI's help to generate Script so i can be used in on-premises and And cloud version as well.

Please modify based on your requirement and test on sandbox environment.

# Prompt the user for their credentials $credentials = Get-Credential # Enable execution policy Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned # Install required modules Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Graph -Scope CurrentUser # Get the name of the distribution list $distributionListName = Read-Host "Enter the name of the distribution list:" # Get the names of the contact lists $contactListNames = Read-Host "Enter the names of the contact lists, separated by commas:" # Split the contact list names into an array $contactListArray = $contactListNames.Split(",") # Add the contact lists to the distribution list foreach ($contactListName in $contactListArray) { Add-DistributionGroupMember -Identity $distributionListName -Member $contactListName } # Write a message to the console Write-Host "The contact lists have been added to the distribution list."
IT Admin 0 Reputation points

2024-07-02T02:34:49.0333333+00:00

Are you not confusing "Contact Lists" with "Distribution Lists" - they are not the same thing.

Answer 1

Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,231 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @IT,

welcome to our Q&A forum!

To add the mail contacts to the distribution list using PowerShell, you can use the Add-DistributionGroupMember cmdlet. Here’s an example command that you can use:

Add-DistributionGroupMember -Identity "DistributionListName" -Member "Contact1", "Contact2", "Contact3"

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,231 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-11-29T08:02:13.7233333+00:00
Hi @IT,

Thanks for your reply. By my test, obviously, you are right.

Use the Add-DistributionGroupMember cmdlet only support to add a single recipient to distribution groups and mail-enabled security groups. To replace all members, use the Update-DistributionGroupMember cmdlet.

Update-DistributionGroupMember -Identity "DistributionListName" -Member "Contact1", "Contact2", "Contact3"

Below are my tests for your reference:
IT 140 Reputation points

2023-11-29T11:39:04.2733333+00:00

Thank you so much. I just tested it and it is working, but it will replace all existing members.

Is there a command to update the list or add several members without replacing the existing ones please?
Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,231 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-12-01T07:29:03.9733333+00:00

Hi @IT, thanks for your reply.

As far as I know, there is no other better way. Maybe you can try to put all users in a csv file as members.

Best regards,

Jarvis
IT 140 Reputation points

2023-12-02T21:41:52.4833333+00:00

Thant is a good idea. Can you guide on how to link the powershell command to excel file. csv please
Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,231 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-12-06T07:55:33.2133333+00:00
Dear @IT ，

I haven't done test until now, should be something like this:

Update-DistributionGroupMember -Identity "DistributionListName" -Member (Import-Csv -Path "C:\path\to\file.csv")

Share via

Adding multiple contact lists to a distribution list using PowerShell

1 answer

Your answer