As Exchange Online continues its multi-year directory modernization, we are evaluating the future of several long-standing identifier properties: ObjectGuid (most would recognize this property as Guid), SamAccountName, and DistinguishedName.
Today, multiple properties can identify the same object in Exchange Online. While this has provided flexibility and compatibility, some of these identifiers reflect design decisions from an earlier era and can add complexity for customers building and maintaining automation, integrations, and administrative workflows.
As part of our modernization efforts, we are exploring whether a smaller and more consistent set of identifiers could better support the future of the service. No decisions have been made. Before determining a path forward, we want to better understand how these properties are used today, what the impact of potential changes could be, and what alternatives, notice periods, and migration assistance customers would need.
We are particularly interested in hearing from customers, partners, and solution providers who use these properties in scripts, automation, reporting, applications, provisioning systems, or operational processes.
The potential changes discussed in this survey apply only to the Exchange Online directory and do not represent changes to on-premises Active Directory or Exchange Server.
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feedback will help inform our evaluation and any future decisions in this area.
Take the Survey: Exchange Online Directory: Identifier Properties Survey – Fill out form
Thank you!
The Exchange Team
