Contact Problems

How to Update Contact Information in Exchange Online

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

Administrators need to update a mailbox user's contact information in Exchange Online, considering both cloud-only and directory-synchronized accounts.

Product: Exchange Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying user directory and contact details for organizational mailboxes.
Observed behavior: Contact information fields are successfully updated and reflected across the Microsoft 365 environment.

Before you start

Verify whether the user account is cloud-only or directory-synchronized, as this determines where the contact information must be updated.

Solution 1Recommended

Update via the Exchange Admin Center

The most straightforward method for updating cloud-only users using a graphical interface.

Open Exchange Admin Center

Navigate to Mailboxes

Go to the Recipients section in the left-hand navigation menu and click on Mailboxes.

Select the User

Locate and click on the specific user mailbox you want to modify to open the properties panel.

Update Contact Info

Choose 'Manage contact information', update the required fields (such as City, Company, or Phone Number), and click Save to apply the changes.

Solution 2

Update via Exchange Online PowerShell

Best for bulk updates or administrators who prefer using command-line tools.

Solution 3

Update via On-Premises Directory

Required for accounts that are synced from an on-premises Active Directory environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I edit a user's contact info in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center?

If the contact information fields are greyed out or you receive an error, the user account is likely directory-synchronized. You must update their information in your on-premises Active Directory and wait for the changes to synchronize to Microsoft 365.

How long does it take for directory-synchronized contact changes to appear in Exchange Online?

By default, Azure AD Connect synchronizes changes every 30 minutes. Once synced to Azure AD, it may take a little additional time for the changes to propagate fully into the Exchange Online Global Address List (GAL).

Can users update their own contact information in Exchange Online?

Yes, depending on your organization's administrative policies, users can update certain details (like their mobile phone number or profile photo) via their Microsoft 365 account profile settings. However, core details like Job Title, Department, or Manager usually require an administrator to update.

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