Office 365: How to Create a Distribution List?
Creating a distribution list in Microsoft 365 is a quick way to streamline communication within your organisation and manage larger groups of recipients from a single email address. In the step-by-step guide below, we show how to create such a list in the Office 365 admin panel, what to pay attention to, and what permissions are required to complete the process correctly.
To create a distribution list in Office 365, follow the steps below. Please note that some details may vary depending on your role and the user interface, as Microsoft occasionally updates its services. The following is a general guide:
Sign in to the Office 365 admin portal: Open a web browser and sign in to the Office 365 admin portal at https://admin.microsoft.com.
1.
Go to the Exchange Service
Click the Exchange service icon in the dashboard. You can find it on the main page of the admin portal.
2.
Go to the Exchange Admin Centre
After signing in to the Exchange service, navigate to the Exchange Admin Centre. This is where you will find advanced administrative options.
3.
Open Distribution Lists
In the left-hand menu, select the "Groups" tab, then choose "Distribution lists".
4.
Create a New Distribution List
Click the "New distribution list" button. Enter a name for the new list and select the appropriate type. For a list open to everyone, select the "General" type; for a list restricted to specific users, select "Secured".
5.
Add Recipients to the List
Add members to the distribution list — i.e. the email addresses of the people to be included on the list.
6.
Save Changes
Once all information has been completed, click "Save" or "Create" depending on the interface.
7.
Test
After creating the distribution list, verify its availability by sending a test email message.
8.
Manage the Distribution List
If needed, you can edit the list or add new members using the distribution list management options in the admin panel.
Please note that access to certain features may require Office 365 administrator permissions. If you do not have the required permissions, contact your organisation's administrator.
