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Sync and Send to Azure Distribution Lists (Outlook Dashboard)

Office 365 users sending from the ContactMonkey dashboard can sync existing Microsoft 365/Exchange distribution lists directly into ContactMonkey, rather than rebuilding them. This article shows Admins how to set up the sync and senders how to use synced lists in Compose & Send.

Prerequisites

You need the following before syncing distribution lists:

  • You send emails using Outlook Dashboard — this feature is available on all plan tiers.
  • Your organization has connected ContactMonkey's native Azure integration in Directory → Sources. If not, complete these steps first.
  • Your organization uses the native Azure integration, not the Entra integration through Merge. Distribution list syncing is not supported on the Merge-based Entra integration.
  • You are an Admin or Owner in ContactMonkey to manage which lists are synced.

Add Distribution Lists to the Sync (Admin Only)

Distribution lists are not synced automatically. An Admin must add each list they want senders to be able to use.

  1. Click Directory at the top of the ContactMonkey dashboard
  2. Select the Sources tab
  3. Locate the Azure Active Directory tab and click Manage
  4. Select Distribution Lists
  5. Click Add lists to open the sidebar of all available lists from your Azure integration
  6. Use the search bar to find a list, then select the checkbox next to each list you want to make available for sending
  7. Click Add lists to start syncing the selected lists

Each synced list appears in the table with its name, member count, and date added. Remove a list at any time using the trash icon next to it.

What the Sync Statuses Mean

  • Synced: The list has been added to the sync and is available for sending
  • Not Synced: The list exists in Azure but hasn't been added yet
  • Cannot Sync: Your organization hasn't configured the backend permissions required for this list type

Send to a Distribution List

Once an Admin has synced lists, you can select them when building your audience.

  1. Click Emails at the top of the ContactMonkey dashboard
  2. Click Compose & Send
  3. In the Send To section, choose Azure Lists as your sending method
  4. Search for and select one or more distribution lists
  5. To remove a list, click the × next to its name

Which List Combinations Can't Be Sent Together?

Some distribution list types can't be combined in a single send. ContactMonkey flags the conflict if you select an incompatible pairing. When the Exchange Admin API is not configured, these combinations are unsupported:

  • Dynamic Distribution Lists (Graph) with O365 Dynamic Groups, O365 Modern Groups, or Hidden Distribution Lists
  • Distribution Lists with Hidden Members (Graph) with O365 Dynamic Groups, O365 Modern Groups, or Hidden Distribution Lists

For the full breakdown of which list types each backend supports, click here.

Why Does a List Show a Dash (—) for Member Count?

The Azure tile uses the Microsoft Graph API, which returns member counts only for certain list types. Lists that rely on the Exchange Admin API instead show a dash.

This does not affect sending — those lists still expand correctly and reach all members at send time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can senders edit distribution lists inside ContactMonkey?
No. List management happens in Microsoft 365 / Exchange; ContactMonkey reflects what's available there.

See Also