Convert alias to shared mailbox

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice. Recently I helped setup a business client with office365 which included an info@**********.co.uk setup as a mailflow rule pointing towards three user accounts. (I wasn't involved in this part of the setup as I would've used a shared mailbox in the first place)

Anyway they have a requirement to send auto-replies out to each received email recived to info which I've concluded the best way is to login to info as an Outlook profile and set a server-side rule. This means I need to transition the alias setup to a shared mailbox whilst minimising disruption. As the SMTP address is already in use I can't just create it as a shared mailbox whilst that still exists so I'm wandering if anyone on here has had to migrate an alias to a shared mailbox before and the best course of action to follow?

Thanks,

 James

Answer 1

Hi James,

We cannot convert an alias to a shared mailbox directly. As you know, we need to remove the alias then create a shared using this address. Regarding this, we appreciate your understanding. Based on my experience, this process doesn’t take a very long time. To minimize the disruption, we suggest you inform the users who use this address of this conversion and do it during off peak hours.

In addition, I welcome and encourage you to submit your requirement through:  https://office365.uservoice.com/forums/273493-office-365-admin.

Understanding your experience helps us to make our product and service better for you and others.

Thanks,

Chris

Answer 2

Did you ever manage to solve this issue?  I'm experiencing the same.  I'm hoping that time will fix things as, perhaps, system needs time to propagate the changes in the background?

Answer 3

Hi Chris,

Upon researching how to convert an email alias to a shared mailbox, I came across your instructions. However, when I deleted the alias and then attempted to create it as a shared mailbox.. I was presented with an error: Specifically, it stated:

"The proxy address "SMTP:******@company.com" is already being used by the proxy address or LegacyExchangeDN. Please choose another proxy address"

Any idea how to get around this?

thanks!

Mike