Importing SMTP or Custom Recipients into Exchange
We're Here to Help
Exchange has such great features, but maintaining it can be overwhelming. CGNET can help you with:
- Consulting
- Monitoring
- Hosting
- Dynamic Backup
About this Guide and More Resources
CGNET is happy to provide this concise guide, which is based on its 20 years' experience providing managed email and managed network services. You may also be interested in our fairly extensive list of more resources for Installing and Administering Exchange 5.5 on Windows NT 4. CGNET provides many services, including consulting, network installation, managed email, network monitoring and management, Web hosting and global roaming Internet access. We have particular experience working with non-profits and NGOs, and our network currently serves users in 94 countries. Check out our home page for more information about how we can help you.
Importing SMTP or Custom Recipients into Exchange
There is no specific tool for creating Custom Recipients from exported MS Mail user lists. Use the MS Mail import -x command to export the current user list to a text file (a columnar file), import the file into Excel, use excel to massage the data into the correct format, export the data in comma-delimited format (CSV), and import that into Exchange. The instructions for importing the CSV are on our web site, and follow below.
Create a CSV file
The following is an example of the format used for a CSV file used for directory import. The first row is a header row. Subsequent rows contain data used to create Custom Recipients. Double quotes are used as text qualifiers.
Obj-Class,First Name,Last Name,Display Name,Alias Name,Directory Name,Primary Windows NT Account,Home-Server,E-mail Address, E-mail Addresses,Members,Obj-Container,Hide from AB
Remote,,,Administrator (System Mailbox),Admin,Admin,,,MS:AFDBLAN1/AFDBPO2/Admin,,,,
Remote,,,"Bayala, Jean-Hubert",BAY2024,BAY2024,,,MS:AFDBLAN1/AFDBPO2/BAY2024,,,,
Remote,,,"Stanley, Randolph",STA1846, STA1846,,,MS:AFDBLAN1/AFDBPO2/STA1846,,,,
An example CSV file can be created using the Directory Export tool in the Exchange Administrator program. From the menu select Tools | Directory Export. Use this tool to export a file containing Custom Recipients. This file can be used as an example of the format, which should be followed when creating a CSV file to import.
One way top get the data for the CSV file is to use the Microsoft Exchange Migration Wizard.
- Start the Wizard.
- Select Migrate from MS Mail for PC Networks. Click Next.
- Click Next.
- Enter the path of the MS Mail Postoffice, the Administrator account name, and password. Click Next.
- Select Two Step Migration. Click Next.
- For Step 1, Enter name for the file which will contain the user list. Click Next.
- Click Select All to select all users. Click Next.
- A file containing information on all the users is created. Open this file into Excel and manipulate it into the proper format. Use Excel and or Word if necessary.
- Save the file as a CSV file.
Use Directory Import to create Custom Recipients
- Start the Exchange Administrator Program.
- Go to Tools | Directory Import.
- Click on Import File. Put in the correct Path to the CSV File.
- Set Logging Level to high
- You probably do not want to create NT Accounts.
- Click Import. If you have a lot of addresses, it will take a while.
When completed, the screen will tell you if it encountered any errors. Look in the Event Log for more detail on the Errors. Usually, errors have occurred because of invalid CSV format.