Fix Microsoft 365 Guest Users Cannot Tag People or Receive Comment Notifications
Question details
Guest or external users in Microsoft 365 are unable to use the @mention feature to tag others, nor do they receive email notifications when they are tagged in document comments.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaborating on shared Microsoft 365 documents with external partners or guest users.
- Observed behavior
- Guest users cannot tag internal users in file comments and do not receive automated email alerts when someone @mentions them in a document.
Verify whether the affected collaborators are listed as internal members of your organization or as external guest users in your Microsoft 365 directory.
Verify User Status and Apply Communication Workarounds
Confirm the user's account type and use alternative communication methods, as Microsoft 365 currently restricts the @mention and notification features exclusively to internal users.
The @mention functionality in Microsoft 365 is designed to work smoothly within an organization's internal directory. Guest users and external collaborators are currently excluded from tagging others or receiving automated email notifications for comments.
Log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and navigate to the Active Users or Guest Users section to verify if the affected user is classified as an internal member or a guest.
Since guest users will not receive automated @mention emails, manually notify your external collaborators via direct email or a messaging platform when a shared document requires their review.
Navigate to the Microsoft Feedback Portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com) to submit a feature request asking the product team to support guest @mentions and notifications in future updates.
Experience Hassle-Free External Collaboration with WPS Office
If Microsoft 365's guest user restrictions are slowing down your collaboration with external partners, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and sharing documents without complex organizational boundaries.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and easily install it on your PC or mobile device.
- 2. Open Your Files: Open your existing Microsoft Office documents directly in WPS Office without losing any original formatting.
- 3. Share Easily: Use the built-in sharing feature to generate a link and collaborate with external clients and partners instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren't my external clients getting notified when I tag them in a document?
Microsoft 365 restricts the @mention email notification feature to internal users only. External clients or guest users will not receive these automated emails when they are mentioned.
Can I grant guest users the ability to tag people in Microsoft 365 comments?
No, Microsoft does not currently support granting this specific permission to guest users. The tagging feature remains strictly limited to internal organization members.
Will Microsoft add the @mention feature for guest users in the future?
The Microsoft product team regularly reviews customer feedback for future improvements. You can submit or vote for this feature on the official Microsoft Feedback Portal to encourage its development.
