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(Updated) Outlook: Delimiter setting admin policy

Message ID
MC1239176
View in Message Center
Service
Exchange Online
Category
Stay Informed
Tags
New featureUser impactAdmin impact
Rollout
April 2026
Roadmap ID
557676
View in M365 Roadmap
Platform
Web

Summary

A new Exchange Online admin policy will allow admins to set a tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook, rolling out worldwide in April 2026. Users can override unless locked by policy. No automatic changes; admins can configure via PowerShell if desired.

Details

Updated March 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

We’re adding a new Exchange Online admin policy that gives admins more control over the default Mail Compose and Reply setting that determines whether commas are used as recipient separators.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 557676.

[When this will happen]

  • General availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in early April 2026 and complete by mid‑April 2026.

[How this will affect your organization]

Who is affected

  • Exchange Online administrators in New Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Web
  • All users composing or replying to email in Outlook where no per‑user override is configured

What will happen

  • A new admin policy will be available to set the tenant‑wide default for “Use commas as recipient separators.”
  • Admins can choose whether the default is on or off for all users.
  • Users may still change this setting in their Outlook client unless an admin enforces a policy that locks it: 

    user settings

  • This update is especially useful for organizations whose contacts commonly use “Last name, First name” formats.
  • No changes will occur automatically—tenants will retain existing behavior unless an admin modifies the policy.

[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required. If desired, you may configure the new admin policy after rollout if you want to establish a consistent default. You can set this value via Powershell with the command "Set-Organization Config -RecipientDelimeters <Boolean>."

You may also consider the following actions: 

  • Review your organization’s preferred recipient formatting conventions.
  • Update internal documentation if your helpdesk or user‑training materials reference this setting.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

Show
March 20, 2026 at 2:31 AM Updated
Title
Previous
Outlook: Delimiter setting admin policy
New
(Updated) Outlook: Delimiter setting admin policy
Summary
Previous
A new Exchange Online admin policy will let admins set a tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook mail compose and reply. Rollout starts April 2026. Users can override unless locked by policy. No automatic changes; no action required.
New
A new Exchange Online admin policy will allow admins to set a tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook, rolling out worldwide in April 2026. Users can override unless locked by policy. No automatic changes; admins can configure via PowerShell if desired.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2026-02-26T00:20:48.140Z
New
2026-03-19T23:03:23.253Z
Tags
Previous
New feature,User impact,Admin impact
New
Updated message,New feature,User impact,Admin impact
Body Content
Previous

[Introduction]

We’re adding a new Exchange Online admin policy that gives admins more control over the default Mail Compose and Reply setting that determines whether commas are used as recipient separators.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 557676.

[When this will happen]

  • General availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in early April 2026 and complete by mid‑April 2026.

[How this will affect your organization]

Who is affected

  • Exchange Online administrators
  • All users composing or replying to email in Outlook where no per‑user override is configured

What will happen

  • A new admin policy will be available to set the tenant‑wide default for “Use commas as recipient separators.”
  • Admins can choose whether the default is on or off for all users.
  • Users may still change this setting in their Outlook client unless an admin enforces a policy that locks it: 

    user settings

  • This update is especially useful for organizations whose contacts commonly use “Last name, First name” formats.
  • No changes will occur automatically—tenants will retain existing behavior unless an admin modifies the policy.

[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required.

If desired, you may:

  • Review your organization’s preferred recipient formatting conventions.
  • Update internal documentation if your helpdesk or user‑training materials reference this setting.
  • Configure the new admin policy after rollout if you want to establish a consistent default.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated March 19, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

We’re adding a new Exchange Online admin policy that gives admins more control over the default Mail Compose and Reply setting that determines whether commas are used as recipient separators.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 557676.

[When this will happen]

  • General availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in early April 2026 and complete by mid‑April 2026.

[How this will affect your organization]

Who is affected

  • Exchange Online administrators in New Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Web
  • All users composing or replying to email in Outlook where no per‑user override is configured

What will happen

  • A new admin policy will be available to set the tenant‑wide default for “Use commas as recipient separators.”
  • Admins can choose whether the default is on or off for all users.
  • Users may still change this setting in their Outlook client unless an admin enforces a policy that locks it: 

    user settings

  • This update is especially useful for organizations whose contacts commonly use “Last name, First name” formats.
  • No changes will occur automatically—tenants will retain existing behavior unless an admin modifies the policy.

[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required. If desired, you may configure the new admin policy after rollout if you want to establish a consistent default. You can set this value via Powershell with the command "Set-Organization Config -RecipientDelimeters <Boolean>."

You may also consider the following actions: 

  • Review your organization’s preferred recipient formatting conventions.
  • Update internal documentation if your helpdesk or user‑training materials reference this setting.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

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