XADM: Directory Import File Format

The Import text files require a specific format. The first line should contain the header, followed by lines of data to import. The header defines the contents of each field on the data line. The import file can contain an unlimited number of data lines. This article describes the required header fields of an import file.

The first field in the header line contains the properties from the schema. The schema is a collection of properties for objects in the directory. When you create a recipient with directory import, the following fields are required: NOTE: The Home-Server attribute is required for mailbox objects and the e-mail address attribute is required for remote objects.

All additional fields in the header are properties of the modified object. By default, all fields are separated by commas, and each line ends with a carriage return and a line feed. If a field contains a comma, the data must be in double quotation marks (").

Some fields are multi-valued. For example, the distribution list object has a member property which can have multiple members. In an import file, these multiple members are included in the same field, separated by percent (%) signs.

The first data line creates a distribution list with distribution lists as members. You can also populate a distribution list with members that are not created in the directory. If the members are created at a later time, they are automatically added to the appropriate distribution list.

Import files are in .CSV or comma-separated format. This format is read by database programs, such as Microsoft Access, or spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel. You can use sorting features to minimize the effort of creating and editing import files. For more information, see the Microsoft Exchange Server Programmer's Guide.