Test a large DL without actually sending an email message to it

Question

Hello,

We are required by the business to verify that an internal distribution list containing aprox 1500 users actually fully functions and results with each user receiving an email. This is for the CEO to send emails to all users. The difficulty is that the business does not want us to send lots of 'test' messages to the entire company. Is there any way of verifying the functionality without actually sending out real messages? The system is Exchange online.
I'd like to be able to verify expansion and delivery to recipients.

Thank you
Alexis C

Answer 1

Hi @Alexis Crawford
Actually, if all you want is to see the Expansion, then that would work.
To illustrate that
Create the rule,

then wait about 10-15 minutes for it to show up in message tracking and you will see an entry for each mailbox it was not delivered to :)

Answer 2

No way to test that without actually sending it.
Even if you created a transport rule that deleted the message, it would not be a valid test.
I think you are going to have to just pull the trigger :) The biggest issue is ensuring you have the correct exclusions set for who can send to it etc... and then fire it off.
Users are pretty understanding I think for the most part.

Answer 3

anonymous userDavid Thanks for the quick response Andy. How about if I just want to see the "Expansion" event with all the recipients in a message trace? Would creating a brand new transport rule, “from users that are inside the organization”, “and send to users that are inside the organization”, “and when the subject field contains test”, “delete the message without notifying anyone”

Would I be able to see the recipients in the Data Event "RcptCount" Integer="N"?

Alexis C