In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of migrating distribution groups to Office 365. We’ll cover everything from preparing your environment to the preferred techniques for this transition. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of this task. Are you ready for this insightful journey?
If yes, then let’s begin with an understanding of the distribution groups.
Quick Insight at Distribution Group in Microsoft 365!
Think of a distribution group as a mailing list but for emails. It’s a simple way to keep everyone in the loop. Imagine having a team project and needing to send updates to everyone involved. Instead of typing out each email address, you just send it to the group name. It’s like a broadcast for your team. You can decide who can join the group and who cannot, which enhances privacy or confidential discussion.
So, when you need to send a message to several people at the same time. A distribution group is your go-to. Migrating distribution groups to Microsoft 365 offers several advantages and overall efficiency within an organization. But, the question remains the same. That is;
How to Migrate Distribution Group to Office 365? – Let’s Solve this!
Before starting with the exporting task, there are specific requirements to consider:
Prerequisites:
- Administrative Privileges: You must be a Global Admin or Exchange Admin.
- Mailbox Ownership: The distribution group must have an owner with a mailbox.
- Distribution Group Type: The groups must be cloud-managed, simple, and non-nested.
- Owner Limit: No more than 100 owners.
- Alias Restrictions: The distribution group alias cannot contain special characters.
Now, Explore the Most Preferred Solutions to Initate the Transition Error-Free
For this migration, two solutions are available, and the below sections explain those. So, without wasting time, go through these approaches & implement the described instructions wisely!
Phase 1. Creating a New Distribution Group in Office 365
Our first task is to create a new distribution group. Getting confused? Don’t worry, go through these instructions. Remember, this procedure is to migrate distribution group to Office 365, but if you want to export data or import PST to Office 365, then these steps won’t work:
- Log in with Admin Credentials in the Microsoft(Office) 365 Admin Center.
- Under the Admin Center, look for the option of Recipients > Groups.
- Click on Add a group.
- Select Microsoft 365 (recommended) to create a modern group with additional collaboration features (or choose Distribution to create a basic distribution group, which you can upgrade later).
- Click Next.
- Enter a group name and a clear description. Click Next.
- Click +Assign Owners and choose the user who will manage the group.
- This user (global administrator or designated owner) can later initiate the upgrade process. Click Next.
- Click +Add Member and select all the users who were previously members of the on-premises distribution group. Click Next.
- Assign the same email address the group used on your on-premises server.
- Configure additional settings based on your organization’s needs. Click Next.
- Click Create Group to complete the process.
So, with the help of these instructions, you can effortlessly create a new group which is essential to initiate the main task i.e. migrate distribution group to Office 365.
Phase 2. Upgrading Existing Distribution Groups
Upgrading your existing distribution groups is the next step to accessing the groups in Office 365. Here are two methods to achieve this:
Method A: Using the Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
- Open the Admin Center, and navigate to the Recipients option > Groups.
- Choose the distribution group for the upgrading task.
- Click on Upgrade distribution group > Upgrade.
- The upgrade process might take some time depending on group size.
- Once finished, look for the Recipients option > Groups > Microsoft 365.
- You should now see your upgraded distribution group listed here.
Important: Upgrading a distribution group is irreversible. Once complete, the group cannot be reverted to its previous state.
Method B: Using Exchange Online PowerShell Cmdlets
Upgrading multiple distribution groups is faster using PowerShell. This method requires some technical knowledge to migrate distribution group to Office 365 efficiently:
Step 1: Open a PowerShell window and enter the following commands:
Step 2: Check Eligible Groups (Optional)
This command works for a specific email address. You can use Get-EligibleDistributionGroupForMigration without arguments to list all eligible groups.
Step 3: For upgrading individual groups follow these commands:
Step 4. To upgrade all eligible groups at once, use these commands:
That’s it! From now on, you can access the distributions group in Office 365 hassle-free. Despite that, it is suggested, not to migrate distribution groups to many M365 accounts because it makes it a hassle to manage multiple Office 365 tenants at the same time.
Observational Verdict!
Migrating your distribution groups to Office 365 is a smart move for your organization. By making this switch, you’ll enjoy better collaboration, robust security, and a more efficient IT team. Plus, you’ll be able to work more effectively from anywhere. Whether you choose to use the EAC or PowerShell to migrate distribution group to Office 365, the procedure is straightforward. So, go ahead and leap!
Common Queries!
Q1. How long does the migration process typically take?
It depends on factors like the number of distribution groups, the size of the groups, and the chosen migration method. So, it can be done in a few minutes or hours.
Q2. Can I convert on-premises distribution groups to Microsoft 365 groups?
Yes, you can convert eligible distribution groups to Microsoft 365 groups, which offer additional features like shared calendars & file sharing.
Q3. Is there any distribution group’s upgrade limitation?
Despite the benefits of distribution groups in Office 365, there are several limitations also, the two main cons are as follows:
- Some distribution groups may not be eligible for an upgrade, such as those with closed membership restrictions or nested structures.
- The owner of the distribution group must have the necessary permissions to create Office 365 groups.
Q4. What should I do when the distribution group’s upgrading process fails?
Encountering issues during the upgrade process with the EAC method is common, so to bypass this issue, opting for the PowerShell method is suggested. But remember, consider this only when you are familiar with technical know-how.