How to import bulk user accounts with a template in Microsoft Entra ID?

Importing bulk user accounts into Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory, or Azure AD) can be done efficiently using a CSV template.

Microsoft provides an easy-to-follow process for this using the Azure portal or PowerShell.

Below, I’ll describe the steps for importing users using the CSV template method, which is suitable for organizations that need to create multiple user accounts in a single operation.

Step-by-Step Process to Import Bulk User Accounts via CSV in Microsoft Entra ID

1. Prepare the CSV File

To import users in bulk, you must create a CSV file containing the necessary user details.

Microsoft Entra ID requires specific headers for the CSV file to successfully import users.

You can manually create this CSV file or download a sample from the Azure portal.

Required Fields for the CSV File

The required fields for the CSV file are as follows:

• UserPrincipalName (UPN) — The user’s unique sign-in name (e.g., username@domain.com).

• DisplayName — The full name of the user (e.g., John Doe).

• GivenName — The first name of the user.

• Surname — The last name of the user.

• JobTitle — The job title of the user (optional).

• Department — The department or business unit of the user (optional).

• Password — The user’s initial password (optional, but recommended for bulk imports).

CSV Template Example

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UserPrincipalName,DisplayName,GivenName,Surname,JobTitle,Department,Password
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john.doe@domain.com,John Doe,John,Doe,Software Engineer,Engineering,TempPassword123!
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jane.smith@domain.com,Jane Smith,Jane,Smith,Marketing Manager,Marketing,TempPassword123!

. ✏️[!NOTE]

• Ensure that the UserPrincipalName (UPN) is unique for each user and follows your domain's naming convention.

• You can add additional optional fields, such as JobTitle, Department, Manager, and TelephoneNumber. '

2. Import Users Using the Azure Portal

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal

Go to the Azure Portal and sign in with your admin credentials.

2. Navigate to Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)

In the left sidebar, select Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory).

3. Go to Users

In the Azure AD dashboard, click on Users in the Manage section.

On the Users page, click Bulk create at the top of the page.

4. Download the CSV Template (if you need a template)

If you need a CSV template, you can download it directly from the portal.

There will be an option to Download the sample file.

If you already have the CSV file ready, proceed to the next step.

5. Upload the CSV File

Click on the Browse button and select the CSV file you have prepared for importing users.

After selecting the file, click Next.

6. Review the Import

The portal will validate the CSV file. If there are any issues (such as missing or incorrect columns), the portal will prompt you to fix them.

Review the details in the Validation Summary to ensure all users are correctly listed.

7. Create Users

After validation, click on the Create button. The portal will import the users in bulk and display a summary of the import process.

The users will now appear in the Users section of Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD).

3. Import Users Using PowerShell

Alternatively, if you prefer using PowerShell for bulk user creation (or need automation), you can use the AzureAD module to import users from a CSV file.

PowerShell Script Example

1. Install and Import the AzureAD Module (if not already installed)

   Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

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   Install-Module -Name AzureAD
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   Import-Module AzureAD
   

2. Connect to Azure AD

   Run the following command to sign in to your Azure AD:

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   Connect-AzureAD
   

3. Create Users from CSV

   Assuming you have a CSV file named users.csv with the necessary columns, use this script to import users:

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   # Import the CSV file
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   $users = Import-Csv -Path "C:\path\to\your\users.csv"
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   # Loop through each user in the CSV and create them in Azure AD
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   foreach ($user in $users) {
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      New-AzureADUser `
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         -UserPrincipalName $user.UserPrincipalName `
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         -DisplayName $user.DisplayName `
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         -GivenName $user.GivenName `
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         -Surname $user.Surname `
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         -JobTitle $user.JobTitle `
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         -Department $user.Department `
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         -PasswordProfile @{ForceChangePasswordNextSignIn=$true; Password=$user.Password} `
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         -AccountEnabled $true
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   }
   

   • This script will loop through each row in the CSV file and create the user accounts in Microsoft Entra ID.

   • Ensure that the CSV columns match the parameter names in the script (e.g., UserPrincipalName, DisplayName, etc.).

4. Verify the Imported Users

After running the script, go back to the Azure Portal and verify that the users were created successfully under Users in Microsoft Entra ID.

4. Managing the Imported Users

Once the bulk import is completed, you may want to:

• Assign roles or group memberships to the new users.

• Configure security settings like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or other conditional access policies.

• Set up licenses for the users, for example, assign Microsoft 365 licenses.

You can do this either manually in the Azure portal or automate it via PowerShell or Azure AD Graph API.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Invalid CSV Format

Ensure that your CSV file follows the correct format.

If there’s an issue with the file format, the portal will provide an error message indicating which column or row is problematic.

Duplicate UPN

Make sure that each UserPrincipalName (UPN) is unique.

If you try to import a UPN that already exists in Azure AD, the import will fail for that user.

Password Policies

Ensure that the initial passwords meet your organization’s password policies (such as length and complexity).

If not, users may be unable to sign in with the provided password.

Conclusion

Importing bulk user accounts into Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) using a CSV template is a straightforward process that can be accomplished either through the Azure portal or PowerShell.

By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently create and configure multiple user accounts, ensuring that the import process is smooth and error-free.

After importing, don't forget to review user roles, licenses, and security settings to ensure a proper configuration for your users.