Office Settings & Configuration

How to Format Microsoft 365 User Names (Surname, First Name, Suffix)

Emma Brown Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to format a Microsoft 365 user's display name to show the surname first, followed by the first name and a suffix (e.g., 'Doe, John Jr.').

How to Display Microsoft 365 User Names as Surname, First Name, and Suffix

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting and standardizing user display names within an organization's directory.
Observed behavior: The goal is to update the profile so that the modified display name structure reflects accurately across all Microsoft services.

Before you start

Ensure you have Global Administrator or User Management Administrator privileges in Microsoft 365, as standard users cannot alter formatting for the organization's directory.

Solution 1Recommended

Edit Display Name in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Use the Microsoft 365 admin center to manually override the user's display name with the desired surname, first name, and suffix format.

By default, Microsoft 365 may generate display names based on a standard 'First Name Last Name' format. As an admin, you can manually type exactly how the name should appear in the global address list.

Sign in to the Admin Center

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center and log in using your administrator credentials.

Open Active Users

On the left-hand navigation menu, click on 'Users' and select 'Active users' from the dropdown.

Select the Target User

Locate and click on the name of the user whose display name you wish to change. A properties pane will open on the right side of the screen.

Edit the User Name

Under the 'Account' tab, locate the 'Name' section and click on 'Manage contact information' or 'Edit'.

Update and Save

In the 'Display name' field, type the preferred format (e.g., 'Doe, John Jr.'). Scroll down and click 'Save changes'.

Edit Display Name in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Synchronization Time: It can take up to 24 hours for the updated display name to fully synchronize across all Microsoft 365 services, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bulk update user display names to the Surname, First Name format?

Yes. Administrators can use Windows PowerShell with the Exchange Online module or upload a modified CSV file in the Microsoft 365 admin center to bulk edit user display names.

Will changing the display name affect the user's email address or login?

No, updating the display name only changes how the name appears visually to others in emails and directories. The user's actual email address (UPN) and login credentials remain completely unchanged.

Why is the old display name still showing in Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams relies on a caching system that can delay directory updates. It typically takes between 24 to 48 hours for profile changes made in the Microsoft 365 admin center to fully reflect in the Teams client.

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