Create a new group as specified in the request body. You can create the following types of groups:
Microsoft 365 group (unified group)
Security group
This operation returns by default only a subset of the properties for each group. These default properties are noted in the Properties section.
To get properties that are not returned by default, do a GET operation and specify the properties in a $select OData query option.
Note: Although Microsoft Teams is built on Microsoft 365 groups, you can't currently create a team via this API. You can use the other group APIs to manage a team that has been created in the Microsoft Teams UI.
Choose the permission or permissions marked as least privileged for this API. Use a higher privileged permission or permissions only if your app requires it. For details about delegated and application permissions, see Permission types. To learn more about these permissions, see the permissions reference.
Permission type
Least privileged permissions
Higher privileged permissions
Delegated (work or school account)
Group.ReadWrite.All
Directory.ReadWrite.All
Delegated (personal Microsoft account)
Not supported.
Not supported.
Application
Group.Create
Directory.ReadWrite.All, Group.ReadWrite.All
For an app create a group with owners or members while it has the Group.Create permission, the app must have the privileges to read the object type that it wants to assign as the group owner or member. Therefore:
The app can assign itself as the group's owner or member.
To create the group with users as owners or members, the app must have at least the User.Read.All permission.
To create the group with other service principals as owners or members, the app must have at least the Application.Read.All permission.
To create the group with either users or service principals as owners or members, the app must have at least the Directory.Read.All permission.
In the request body, supply a JSON representation of the group object.
The following table lists the properties that are required when you create the group. Specify other writable properties as necessary for your group.
Property
Type
Description
displayName
String
The name to display in the address book for the group. Maximum length: 256 characters. Required.
mailEnabled
Boolean
Set to true for mail-enabled groups. Required.
mailNickname
String
The mail alias for the group, unique for Microsoft 365 groups in the organization. Maximum length is 64 characters. This property can contain only characters in the ASCII character set 0 - 127 except the following: @ () \ [] " ; : <> , SPACE. Required.
securityEnabled
Boolean
Set to true for security-enabled groups, including Microsoft 365 groups. Required. Note: Groups created using the Microsoft Entra admin center or the Azure portal always have securityEnabled initially set to true.
Important
Creating a group using the Group.Create application permission without specifying owners creates the group anonymously and the group isn't modifiable. Add owners to the group while creating it so the owners can manage the group.
Creating a Microsoft 365 group in an app-only context and without specifying owners creates the group anonymously. Doing so can result in the associated SharePoint Online site not being created automatically until further manual action is taken.
Creating a Microsoft 365 or security group in a delegated context, signed in as a non-admin user, and without specifying owners automatically adds the calling user as the group owner. An admin user is automatically added as the group owner of a Microsoft 365 group they create but not of a security group.
A non-admin user can't add themselves to the group owners collection. For more information, see the related known issue.
To following properties can't be set in the initial POST request and must be set in a subsequent PATCH request: allowExternalSenders, autoSubscribeNewMembers, hideFromAddressLists, hideFromOutlookClients, isSubscribedByMail, unseenCount.
groupTypes options
Use the groupTypes property to control the type of group and its membership, as shown.
Type of group
Assigned membership
Dynamic membership
Microsoft 365 (aka unified group)
["Unified"]
["Unified","DynamicMembership"]
Dynamic
[] (null)
["DynamicMembership"]
Response
If successful, this method returns a 201 Created response code and a group object in the response body. The response includes only the default properties of the group.
Examples
Example 1: Create a Microsoft 365 group
The following example creates a Microsoft 365 group. Because the owners have not been specified, the calling user is automatically added as the owner of the group.
POST https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups
Content-type: application/json
{
"description": "Self help community for library",
"displayName": "Library Assist",
"groupTypes": [
"Unified"
],
"mailEnabled": true,
"mailNickname": "library",
"securityEnabled": false
}
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 5.x
// Dependencies
using Microsoft.Graph.Models;
var requestBody = new Group
{
Description = "Self help community for library",
DisplayName = "Library Assist",
GroupTypes = new List<string>
{
"Unified",
},
MailEnabled = true,
MailNickname = "library",
SecurityEnabled = false,
};
// To initialize your graphClient, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=csharp
var result = await graphClient.Groups.PostAsync(requestBody);
// Code snippets are only available for the latest major version. Current major version is $v1.*
// Dependencies
import (
"context"
msgraphsdk "github.com/microsoftgraph/msgraph-sdk-go"
graphmodels "github.com/microsoftgraph/msgraph-sdk-go/models"
//other-imports
)
requestBody := graphmodels.NewGroup()
description := "Self help community for library"
requestBody.SetDescription(&description)
displayName := "Library Assist"
requestBody.SetDisplayName(&displayName)
groupTypes := []string {
"Unified",
}
requestBody.SetGroupTypes(groupTypes)
mailEnabled := true
requestBody.SetMailEnabled(&mailEnabled)
mailNickname := "library"
requestBody.SetMailNickname(&mailNickname)
securityEnabled := false
requestBody.SetSecurityEnabled(&securityEnabled)
// To initialize your graphClient, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=go
groups, err := graphClient.Groups().Post(context.Background(), requestBody, nil)
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 6.x
GraphServiceClient graphClient = new GraphServiceClient(requestAdapter);
Group group = new Group();
group.setDescription("Self help community for library");
group.setDisplayName("Library Assist");
LinkedList<String> groupTypes = new LinkedList<String>();
groupTypes.add("Unified");
group.setGroupTypes(groupTypes);
group.setMailEnabled(true);
group.setMailNickname("library");
group.setSecurityEnabled(false);
Group result = graphClient.groups().post(group);
<?php
use Microsoft\Graph\GraphServiceClient;
use Microsoft\Graph\Generated\Models\Group;
$graphServiceClient = new GraphServiceClient($tokenRequestContext, $scopes);
$requestBody = new Group();
$requestBody->setDescription('Self help community for library');
$requestBody->setDisplayName('Library Assist');
$requestBody->setGroupTypes(['Unified', ]);
$requestBody->setMailEnabled(true);
$requestBody->setMailNickname('library');
$requestBody->setSecurityEnabled(false);
$result = $graphServiceClient->groups()->post($requestBody)->wait();
# Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 1.x
from msgraph import GraphServiceClient
from msgraph.generated.models.group import Group
# To initialize your graph_client, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=python
request_body = Group(
description = "Self help community for library",
display_name = "Library Assist",
group_types = [
"Unified",
],
mail_enabled = True,
mail_nickname = "library",
security_enabled = False,
)
result = await graph_client.groups.post(request_body)
The following example shows the response. The value of the preferredDataLocation property is inherited from the group creator's preferred data location.
Note: The response object shown here might be shortened for readability.
The following example creates a Security group with an owner and members specified. Note that a maximum of 20 relationships, such as owners and members, can be added as part of group creation. You can subsequently add more members by using the add member API or JSON batching.
A non-admin user can't add themselves to the group owners collection. For more information, see the related known issue.
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 5.x
// Dependencies
using Microsoft.Graph.Models;
var requestBody = new Group
{
Description = "Group with designated owner and members",
DisplayName = "Operations group",
GroupTypes = new List<string>
{
},
MailEnabled = false,
MailNickname = "operations2019",
SecurityEnabled = true,
AdditionalData = new Dictionary<string, object>
{
{
"owners@odata.bind" , new List<string>
{
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/26be1845-4119-4801-a799-aea79d09f1a2",
}
},
{
"members@odata.bind" , new List<string>
{
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/ff7cb387-6688-423c-8188-3da9532a73cc",
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/69456242-0067-49d3-ba96-9de6f2728e14",
}
},
},
};
// To initialize your graphClient, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=csharp
var result = await graphClient.Groups.PostAsync(requestBody);
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 6.x
GraphServiceClient graphClient = new GraphServiceClient(requestAdapter);
Group group = new Group();
group.setDescription("Group with designated owner and members");
group.setDisplayName("Operations group");
LinkedList<String> groupTypes = new LinkedList<String>();
group.setGroupTypes(groupTypes);
group.setMailEnabled(false);
group.setMailNickname("operations2019");
group.setSecurityEnabled(true);
HashMap<String, Object> additionalData = new HashMap<String, Object>();
LinkedList<String> ownersOdataBind = new LinkedList<String>();
ownersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/26be1845-4119-4801-a799-aea79d09f1a2");
additionalData.put("owners@odata.bind", ownersOdataBind);
LinkedList<String> membersOdataBind = new LinkedList<String>();
membersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/ff7cb387-6688-423c-8188-3da9532a73cc");
membersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/69456242-0067-49d3-ba96-9de6f2728e14");
additionalData.put("members@odata.bind", membersOdataBind);
group.setAdditionalData(additionalData);
Group result = graphClient.groups().post(group);
# Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 1.x
from msgraph import GraphServiceClient
from msgraph.generated.models.group import Group
# To initialize your graph_client, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=python
request_body = Group(
description = "Group with designated owner and members",
display_name = "Operations group",
group_types = [
],
mail_enabled = False,
mail_nickname = "operations2019",
security_enabled = True,
additional_data = {
"owners@odata_bind" : [
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/26be1845-4119-4801-a799-aea79d09f1a2",
],
"members@odata_bind" : [
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/ff7cb387-6688-423c-8188-3da9532a73cc",
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/69456242-0067-49d3-ba96-9de6f2728e14",
],
}
)
result = await graph_client.groups.post(request_body)
The following is an example of a successful response. It includes only default properties. You can subsequently get the owners or members navigation properties of the group to verify the owner or members. The value of the preferredDataLocation property is inherited from the group creator's preferred data location.
Note: The response object shown here might be shortened for readability.
Example 3: Create a Microsoft 365 group that can be assigned to a Microsoft Entra role
Request
The following example shows a request. The calling user must be assigned the RoleManagement.ReadWrite.Directory permission to set the isAssignableToRole property or update the membership of such groups.
A group with isAssignableToRole property set to true cannot be of dynamic membership type, its securityEnabled must be set to true, and visibility can only be Private.
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 5.x
// Dependencies
using Microsoft.Graph.Models;
var requestBody = new Group
{
Description = "Group assignable to a role",
DisplayName = "Role assignable group",
GroupTypes = new List<string>
{
"Unified",
},
IsAssignableToRole = true,
MailEnabled = true,
SecurityEnabled = true,
MailNickname = "contosohelpdeskadministrators",
AdditionalData = new Dictionary<string, object>
{
{
"owners@odata.bind" , new List<string>
{
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/99e44b05-c10b-4e95-a523-e2732bbaba1e",
}
},
{
"members@odata.bind" , new List<string>
{
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/6ea91a8d-e32e-41a1-b7bd-d2d185eed0e0",
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/4562bcc8-c436-4f95-b7c0-4f8ce89dca5e",
}
},
},
};
// To initialize your graphClient, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=csharp
var result = await graphClient.Groups.PostAsync(requestBody);
// Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 6.x
GraphServiceClient graphClient = new GraphServiceClient(requestAdapter);
Group group = new Group();
group.setDescription("Group assignable to a role");
group.setDisplayName("Role assignable group");
LinkedList<String> groupTypes = new LinkedList<String>();
groupTypes.add("Unified");
group.setGroupTypes(groupTypes);
group.setIsAssignableToRole(true);
group.setMailEnabled(true);
group.setSecurityEnabled(true);
group.setMailNickname("contosohelpdeskadministrators");
HashMap<String, Object> additionalData = new HashMap<String, Object>();
LinkedList<String> ownersOdataBind = new LinkedList<String>();
ownersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/99e44b05-c10b-4e95-a523-e2732bbaba1e");
additionalData.put("owners@odata.bind", ownersOdataBind);
LinkedList<String> membersOdataBind = new LinkedList<String>();
membersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/6ea91a8d-e32e-41a1-b7bd-d2d185eed0e0");
membersOdataBind.add("https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/4562bcc8-c436-4f95-b7c0-4f8ce89dca5e");
additionalData.put("members@odata.bind", membersOdataBind);
group.setAdditionalData(additionalData);
Group result = graphClient.groups().post(group);
# Code snippets are only available for the latest version. Current version is 1.x
from msgraph import GraphServiceClient
from msgraph.generated.models.group import Group
# To initialize your graph_client, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/sdks/create-client?from=snippets&tabs=python
request_body = Group(
description = "Group assignable to a role",
display_name = "Role assignable group",
group_types = [
"Unified",
],
is_assignable_to_role = True,
mail_enabled = True,
security_enabled = True,
mail_nickname = "contosohelpdeskadministrators",
additional_data = {
"owners@odata_bind" : [
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/99e44b05-c10b-4e95-a523-e2732bbaba1e",
],
"members@odata_bind" : [
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/6ea91a8d-e32e-41a1-b7bd-d2d185eed0e0",
"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/4562bcc8-c436-4f95-b7c0-4f8ce89dca5e",
],
}
)
result = await graph_client.groups.post(request_body)
The following example shows the response. It includes only default properties. The value of the preferredDataLocation property is inherited from the group creator's preferred data location.