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 4,895

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

Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-11-27T05:52:40.92+00:00
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"

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Jarvis Sun-MSFT 10,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

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 10,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

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 10,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

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")
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Adding multiple contact lists to a distribution list using PowerShell

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