How Do I Create an O365 Group in Outlook Web App?

Owned by Sandro Munoz (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Feb 03, 2020 by Whiteley, Kathryn
3 min read

An Office 365 Group is a way to create an email distribution list. Microsoft Teams offers collaboration tools as well as ways to connect with your group beyond email. Please consider creating a Microsoft Team instead of an email distribution list. In this how-to, we'll focus on creating an O365 Group using the Outlook Web App.


On this page:


Microsoft Teams or O365 Group?

Microsoft Teams is PATH's universal communication and collaboration platform. Creating a Team actually creates an O365 Group in the background plus gives you a whole suite of tools to connect with your team. Please consider creating a Team instead of a stand-alone O365 group. Please see: How do I create a new Team (on Microsoft Teams)?

Creating a stand-alone O365 group is a way to create an email distribution list, a shared email inbox, or a group calendar without creating a Team for the additional collaboration tools available through Microsoft Teams.

Step-by-step guide

To create an O365 group without creating a Microsoft Team:

  1. Go to Outlook Web App through work.path.org
  2. In the navigation pane, scroll down to Groups and click the + icon.



  3. Enter a group name (1), an email alias (2), and a group description (3).  If you see "not available" the email address is already in use.  Note that once you choose an email ID, it can't be changed.



    Enter a useful description so others know what the group is for.  This is especially helpful for public groups.

  4. Under Privacy, select Private or Public.

    Public vs Private Groups

    • Private groups most closely match distribution groups in their function.  Only the members of the group can see mail sent to it.  Anyone who wants to join a private group must contact the group owner and the group owner is responsible for managing the group.  

  5. To let subscribed members receive email and calendar event notifications in both their group inbox and personal inbox, select Send copies of all group messages and events to members' inboxes. 

    This is recommended when members belong to multiple groups because it means they can see all group notifications in one place without having to visit each group mailbox in order to stay current with group activity.

  6. Once the group is created, you can add members to it.  Select members and when you're done, click Add at the top of the window.


Enabling email from outside of PATH

By default, groups cannot receive mail from outside of PATH.  If you need your group to receive mail from senders outside of PATH, you will need to manually enable that feature.  See How to Manage an O365 Group in Outlook Web App the step to enable that setting.