Add Group Template
This page creates a group template, which records the settings for a group so the same group can be created again later, in one tenant or across many. Complete the shared details, choose a group type, then fill in any additional settings that appear for that type. Templates are applied from the deploy.md page.
Template Details
These fields apply to every group type.
Display Name
The name the group is given when the template is applied. Required.
Description
The description the group is given when the template is applied.
Username
The mail nickname the group's email address is built from. Required.
Username is the Microsoft 365 mail nickname, which has to be unique within a tenant. A template built from an existing group carries that group's nickname, so it needs overwriting before the template is used in the same tenant.
Group Type
Select one group type. The type determines which additional settings appear below the selector.
Azure Role Group
A role-assignable security group, used to assign Entra ID directory roles to a group of users.
Security Group
A standard security group, used for granting access to resources and for group-based licensing.
Microsoft 365 Group
A Microsoft 365 (unified) group with a shared mailbox, calendar, and associated SharePoint site.
Dynamic Group
A security group whose membership is calculated automatically from a membership rule.
Distribution List
An Exchange Online distribution group for delivering mail to a static list of recipients.
Mail Enabled Security Group
A security group that can also receive mail, allowing it to be used both for permissions and for mail delivery.
Additional Settings
These settings appear only for the group types listed against them.
Licenses (optional)
Security Group
Licences assigned to the group, so members inherit them through group-based licensing. Group-based licensing requires the tenant to be licensed for Entra ID P1 or higher. Assigning licences through a group without the appropriate licensing is not compliant with Microsoft's licensing terms.
Let people outside the organization email the group
Distribution List
Allows senders outside the organisation to email the group. When left off, only authenticated internal senders can deliver to it.
Email Aliases
Distribution List, Mail Enabled Security Group
Additional email addresses for the group, entered one per line. Added as secondary addresses alongside the primary address.
Hide this group from the Global Address List (GAL)
Distribution List, Mail Enabled Security Group
Hides the group from address lists, so it does not appear when users browse or search for recipients.
Dynamic Group Parameters
Dynamic Group
The rule that determines membership, written in Entra ID membership rule syntax.
Feature Requests / Ideas
We value your feedback and ideas. Please raise any feature requests on GitHub.
Last updated
Was this helpful?

