Send an Email to a Microsoft 365 Group

Questions

  • How do I send an email to a Microsoft 365 Group?
  • How do I find the email address of a group in Outlook?
  • Can I email a Bowdoin group from outside the college?
  • Can I send attachments to a Microsoft 365 Group?
  • Why did my email to a group get rejected?
  • What email domain does a Bowdoin Microsoft 365 Group use?

Environment

This article applies to anyone who wants to send an email message to a Microsoft 365 Group at Bowdoin.

  • Applies to: Bowdoin faculty, staff, students, and external senders (depending on group settings)
  • Group email format: GroupName@bowdoin.edu or GroupName@list.bowdoin.edu — the domain depends on how the group was created

Resolution

Send an email to a group

  1. Open a new email in Outlook or any other email application.
  2. In the To field, type the group's email address. If you are on Bowdoin's network or signed in to Outlook, the group name will appear as an auto-complete suggestion as you type.
  3. Compose your subject line, message body, and any attachments as you would for a normal email.
  4. Click Send. The message will be delivered to all current group members.
Finding a group's email address: If you are unsure of the group's email address, open Outlook and navigate to the Groups section in the left sidebar. Click the group name — the group email address is displayed in the group details panel. You can also search for the group in Outlook's address book by typing the group name in the To field.
Note on email domains: Some Microsoft 365 Groups use @bowdoin.edu while others use @list.bowdoin.edu, depending on when and how they were created. If you are unsure which domain a group uses, check with the group owner.

If your message is rejected

If you receive a bounce or rejection notice after emailing a group, the most common reasons are:

  • External senders not allowed: The group is configured to accept messages from Bowdoin accounts only. Contact the group owner and ask them to enable external sending in the group settings if needed.
  • Moderation required: Some groups are moderated and your message is pending approval from the group owner. This is normal — wait for the moderator to review it.
  • Incorrect email address: Verify the address with the group owner or search for the group in Outlook's address book.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Step-by-step instructions for creating a new Microsoft 365 Group in Outlook for Windows, including setting the group name, email address, privacy level, and adding initial members.
Microsoft 365 Groups and Distribution Groups — what's the difference?
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