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Assign Send on Behalf Permissions to a Distribution Group in Exchange

Bushra Parveen Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to assign Send on Behalf permissions to a distribution group for a specific mailbox in Microsoft Exchange.

How to Assign Send on Behalf Permissions to a Distribution Group in Exchange

Product: Microsoft Exchange
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Delegating mailbox permissions to an entire distribution group rather than adding users individually.
Observed behavior: The new Exchange Admin Center restricts the selection to individual users, preventing the administrator from choosing a distribution group for Send on Behalf delegation.

Before you start

Ensure you have Exchange Administrator or Global Administrator privileges before attempting to modify mailbox delegation settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Classic Exchange Admin Center

Switching to the Classic Exchange Admin Center bypasses the limitations of the new interface, allowing you to select a distribution group.

The new Microsoft Exchange Admin Center (EAC) currently limits the user interface to showing only individual users for certain delegation tasks. The Classic EAC retains the older functionality where groups can be selected.

Access the Classic EAC

Open the Exchange Admin Center and navigate to the Classic Exchange admin center view from the side menu.

Navigate to Mailboxes

Go to 'Recipients' in the left-hand navigation pane, and then select the 'Mailboxes' tab.

Edit the Target Mailbox

Select the mailbox you want to delegate, click the edit (pencil) icon, and open the 'Mailbox Delegation' section.

Add the Distribution Group

Scroll down to the 'Send on Behalf' section, click the add (+) button, search for your distribution group, and add it.

Save Changes

Click 'Save' to apply the new permissions and verify the functionality from a group member's email client.

Deprecation Warning: If the Mailbox Delegation option is grayed out or missing in the Classic EAC, the feature may have been deprecated in your tenant's interface, requiring the use of PowerShell.

Solution 2

Assign Permissions Using Exchange Online PowerShell

If the Classic EAC is unavailable or the feature is deprecated in the GUI, PowerShell provides a direct and reliable method to assign these permissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I select a distribution group for Send on Behalf in the new Exchange Admin Center?

Microsoft's updated Exchange Admin Center currently limits the GUI selection for Send on Behalf permissions to individual users or mail-enabled security groups. To assign these permissions to standard distribution groups, administrators must use the Classic EAC or PowerShell.

Can I grant 'Send As' permissions to a distribution group as well?

Yes, 'Send As' permissions can be granted to a distribution group using the Classic Exchange Admin Center under the same Mailbox Delegation menu, or by utilizing the Add-RecipientPermission cmdlet in Exchange Online PowerShell.

How long does it take for Send on Behalf permissions to take effect?

It typically takes up to 60 minutes for mailbox delegation permissions to fully propagate across Microsoft 365. Outlook client caching (Offline Address Book) may delay this further. Using Outlook on the Web can help you verify the changes immediately.

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