How to Use Update-MgUser to Update Microsoft 365 Users?

Managing user accounts in Microsoft 365 often involves updating user details like job titles, phone numbers, office locations, or enabling/disabling accounts. The Update-MgUser cmdlet from the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK provides a modern and efficient way to make these changes—whether you're updating a single user or performing bulk operations.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what Update-MgUser does, when to use it, its syntax, real-world examples, and frequently asked questions.

What is Update-MgUser?

Update-MgUser is a Microsoft Graph PowerShell cmdlet used to modify properties of Microsoft 365 user accounts. It allows administrators to update a wide range of user attributes such as display name, job title, phone numbers, and more—all using the Microsoft Graph API under the hood.

Why Use Update-MgUser?

Using Update-MgUser offers several advantages:

• It's Graph-powered and future-proof compared to older Set-MsolUser or Set-AzureADUser cmdlets.
• It supports both individual and bulk updates.
• You can update multiple properties at once using the -BodyParameter.
• It works seamlessly across all environments using the Microsoft.Graph SDK.

Cmdlet Syntax

Update-MgUser -UserId <String> [-AccountEnabled <Boolean>] [-DisplayName <String>] [-JobTitle <String>] [-MobilePhone <String>] [-OfficeLocation <String>] [-OtherMails <String[]>] [-PreferredLanguage <String>] [-Surname <String>] [-UserPrincipalName <String>] 

You can also pass multiple properties together using the -BodyParameter hashtable, especially useful for bulk operations or grouped updates.

Usage Examples

Note:You don't always need -BodyParameter for updating a single or few properties. However, using -BodyParameter is recommended when updating multiple fields at once, particularly in loops or automation.

Example 1: Update a User's Display Name and Job Title (without -BodyParameter)

Update-MgUser -UserId "john.doe@contoso.com" ` -DisplayName "Johnathan Doe" `-JobTitle "Senior Developer"

This approach is simple and intuitive for quick updates.

Example 2: Update the City and Country of a User (with -BodyParameter)

Update-MgUser -UserId "alex.wilson@yourdomain.com" -BodyParameter @{
    city    = "Seattle"
    country = "United States"
}

Using -BodyParameter allows you to batch multiple attributes and keep the syntax clean.

Example 3: Bulk User Update from CSV

# Path to the CSV file
$csvPath = "C:\Path\To\Your\CSV\users.csv"
                                            
# Import the CSV file
$users = Import-Csv -Path $csvPath
                                            
# Loop through each user and update attributes
foreach ($user in $users) {
    try {
        # Prepare the update payload
        $updateParams = @{
        DisplayName = $user.DisplayName
        JobTitle    = $user.JobTitle
        Department  = $user.Department
        MobilePhone = $user.MobilePhone
        }
                                                    
        # Update the user attributes
        Update-MgUser -UserId $user.UserPrincipalName -BodyParameter $updateParams
                                                    
        Write-Host "Successfully updated user: $($user.UserPrincipalName)"
    }
    catch {
        Write-Host "Failed to update user: $($user.UserPrincipalName). Error: $_"
    }
}
                                            

Make sure your CSV contains headers like: UserPrincipalName, DisplayName, JobTitle, Department, MobilePhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is -BodyParameter always required?
  No. It is optional for individual property updates but required/recommended for multiple property updates.
• Can I disable a user account using Update-MgUser?
  Yes, use -AccountEnabled $false or include it in -BodyParameter.
• What permissions are required?
  You need delegated or application permissions like User.ReadWrite.All.
• Can I disable a user account using Update-MgUser?
  Yes, use -AccountEnabled $false or include it in -BodyParameter.

Use Cases

• Modify job title or department across a team after reorganization
• Enable or disable user accounts in bulk
• Update office locations after a physical move
• Fix display names or mobile numbers from HR system exports
• Automate user profile updates during onboarding/offboarding

Conclusion

The Update-MgUser cmdlet offers a powerful, flexible, and Graph-based approach to managing Microsoft 365 user attributes. Whether you're making a quick fix or automating a bulk update process, this cmdlet can streamline your administrative workflow.

Start using Update-MgUser today and modernize how you manage user data in Microsoft 365!