check before: 2026-04-01
Product:
Exchange, Outlook, Windows
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Rolling out
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
A new Exchange Online admin policy will let admins set the tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook mail compose and reply. Rollout starts April 2026, completing by July. Users can still override the setting. No automatic changes occur without admin action.
Details:
Updated June 2, 2026: We have updated the content and timeline. We are in the process of correcting an issue with setting the policy. We expect to complete in early July. 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 early July 2026 (previously mid-May).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2026-02-26
updated:
2026-06-03
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
User Experience Disruption
If the new delimiter setting is implemented without prior user training or communication, users may experience confusion when composing emails, leading to potential miscommunication or errors in recipient addressing.
- roles: End Users, Helpdesk Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=557676
Increased Support Requests
Without preparation, users may encounter issues with the new recipient separator policy, resulting in an increase in support requests to the helpdesk, straining resources and impacting response times.
- roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support Team
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=557676
Configutation Options**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-06-03 | MC Messages | Updated May 5, 2026: We have updated the timeline. 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-May 2026 (previously mid-April). | Updated June 2, 2026: We have updated the content and timeline. We are in the process of correcting an issue with setting the policy. We expect to complete in early July. 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 early July 2026 (previously mid-May). |
| 2026-06-03 | MC How Affect | 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: 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. | 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. If the policy is in effect, all users will have their setting default to the admin's choice. Users may still toggle this setting in their Outlook client after the policy is set: 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. |
| 2026-06-03 | MC Last Updated | 05/06/2026 01:13:46 | 2026-06-03T00:33:33Z |
| 2026-06-03 | MC End Time | 06/22/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-08-10T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-06-03 | MC Summary | A new Exchange Online admin policy will allow admins to set a tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook mail compose and reply. Rollout starts early April 2026, completing by mid-May. Users can override unless locked by admin. No automatic changes occur without admin action. | A new Exchange Online admin policy will let admins set the tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook mail compose and reply. Rollout starts April 2026, completing by July. Users can still override the setting. No automatic changes occur without admin action. |
| 2026-05-06 | MC Last Updated | 03/20/2026 00:03:23 | 2026-05-06T01:13:46Z |
| 2026-05-06 | MC Messages | 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. | Updated May 5, 2026: We have updated the timeline. 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-May 2026 (previously mid-April). |
| 2026-05-06 | MC End Time | 05/11/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-06-22T09:00:00Z |
| 2026-05-06 | MC 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. | A new Exchange Online admin policy will allow admins to set a tenant-wide default for using commas as recipient separators in Outlook mail compose and reply. Rollout starts early April 2026, completing by mid-May. Users can override unless locked by admin. No automatic changes occur without admin action. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC 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. https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=557676 | 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. https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=557676 |
| 2026-03-20 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Summary | 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. | 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. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Last Updated | 02/26/2026 01:20:48 | 2026-03-20T00:03:23Z |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Messages | [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. | 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. |
| 2026-03-20 | MC Title | Outlook: Delimiter setting admin policy | (Updated) Outlook: Delimiter setting admin policy |
| 2026-03-20 | MC How Affect | 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: 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. | 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: 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. |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
