Create and Manage a group in Outlook 365

A Microsoft 365 group is different from a contact group (formerly called a distribution list). A contact group is a set of email addresses that you can use to send an email message or meeting invitation to everyone at once. To create a contact group, see Create a contact group.

Create a Group

1. Open Outlook 365 or Outlook on the web.

   1. In Outlook, Select Home tab > New Group button at top of screen.

   2. In Outlook on the web, in the left pane, under Groups, select New group or right-click Groups and select New group. Fill out group information:

2. Group name: Create a name that captures the spirit of the group.

   • Once you enter a name, a suggested email address is provided. "Not available" means the group name is already in use and you should try a different name. Note that once you choose a group name, it cannot be changed.

   • Description: Optionally, enter a description that will help others understand the group's purpose. This description will be included in the welcome email when others join the group.

   • Privacy: By default, groups are created as Private. This means only approved members in your organization can see what's inside the group. Anyone else in your organization who is not approved cannot see what's in the group.

     • Select Public to create a group where anyone within your organization can view its content and become a member.

     • Select Private to create a group where membership requires approval and only members can view group content.

   • Classification: Choose a classification. Options available depend on what your organization has set up.

   • Send all group conversations and events to members' inboxes Optionally, check this box to enable members to see all group conversations and events in their inbox without having to visit separate group workspaces. Members can change this setting for their own mailboxes.

   • Select Create.