Administer mail contacts in Exchange Online

Introduction

In Exchange Online, mail contacts are mail-enabled objects that store information about individuals outside your organization. Each mail contact includes an external email address.

You can manage mail contacts using the Exchange admin center (EAC) or PowerShell. For organizations with Exchange Online mailboxes, use Exchange Online PowerShell. For those without Exchange Online mailboxes, use standalone Exchange Online Protection (EOP).

Use the Exchange admin center to manage mail contacts

1. In the EAC, click Recipients > Contacts.

2. Click Add a mail contact and configure the following settings in the details pane. Settings marked with an * are required.

   • Basic information: Update the following:

     • First name

     • Last name

     • Initials

     • *Display name: By default, this box shows the values from the First name, and Last name boxes. You can accept this value or change it.

     • *Alias:

     • *Email: Enter the user's email address. The domain should be external to your cloud-based organization.

   • Mail contact information (Optional)

   • Review mail contact

3. When you're finished, click Create.

Use the EAC to modify mail contacts

1. In the EAC, click Recipients > Contacts.

2. In the list of contacts, select the mail contact by clicking anywhere in the row other than the button option that appears in the blank area next to the Display name column.

3. In the Mail contact details pane, view or edit the user's contact details under the following sections:

   • General

   • Personal information

4. When you're finished, click Save.

Use the EAC to remove mail contacts

1. In the EAC, click Recipients > Contacts.

2. Select the mail contact that you want to remove, and then click Delete.

3. Click Confirm.