Ultimate Guide for Using Set-MgUserManagerByRef Cmdlet

In Microsoft 365, establishing accurate reporting structures is critical for ensuring smooth workflows, enabling effective approvals, and maintaining organizational integrity.

The Set-MgUserManagerByRef cmdlet, part of the Microsoft Graph PowerShell module, allows administrators to programmatically assign or update a user’s manager. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of its usage, including practical examples and best practices.

Who Are Microsoft 365 User Managers?

A Microsoft 365 user manager represents the person to whom a user directly reports. The manager relationship is essential for:

• Approval Workflows: Managers can approve leave, expenses, and other requests.
• HR Insights: Providing managers with access to relevant employee data.
• Compliance: Maintaining accurate records of organizational hierarchy.

Why Use Set-MgUserManagerByRef?

The Set-MgUserManagerByRef cmdlet simplifies assigning or updating managers for one or multiple users. Benefits include:

• Automation: Update manager relationships in bulk, saving time and effort.
• Consistency: Ensure accuracy across large organizations with multiple users.
• Integration: Incorporate into workflows for onboarding, role changes, or department shifts.

Setting Up Microsoft Graph PowerShell

To use Set-MgUserManagerByRef, you need to set up Microsoft Graph PowerShell:

1. Install the Module: Install-Module Microsoft.Graph -Scope CurrentUser
2. Connect to Microsoft Graph: Connect-MgGraph -Scopes "User.Read.All"
3. Disconnect After Use: Disconnect-MgGraph

Exploring the Set-MgUserManagerByRef Cmdlet

The Set-MgUserManagerByRef cmdlet assigns or updates the manager for a specified user. It uses an @odata.id reference pointing to the manager’s unique Object ID.

Cmdlet Syntax

Set-MgUserManagerByRef -UserId <String> -BodyParameter <Object> [<CommonParameters>l]  

Usage Examples

1. Assign a Manager to a Single User

To assign a specific manager to a user:

$Manager = @{  
    "@odata.id" = "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/12345678-90ab-cdef-ghij-klmnopqrstuv"  
}  
Set-MgUserManagerByRef -UserId "john.doe@company.com" -BodyParameter $Manager  

This assigns the manager with the Object ID 12345678-90ab-cdef-ghij-klmnopqrstuv to the user john.doe@company.com.

2. Assign Managers in Bulk Using a CSV File

For large-scale updates, use a CSV file to define users and their corresponding managers.

CSV File Format

UserPrincipalName,ManagerId  
user1@company.com,manager1-id  
user2@company.com,manager2-id  

$CSVPath = "C:\Managers.csv"  
$Users = Import-Csv -Path $CSVPath  

foreach ($User in $Users) {  
    $Manager = @{  
        "@odata.id" = "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/$($User.ManagerId)"  
    }  
    Set-MgUserManagerByRef -UserId $User.UserPrincipalName -BodyParameter $Manager  
}  

Best Practices for Using Set-MgUserManagerByRef

• Validate Manager and User Accounts: Before assigning a manager, ensure both the user and manager accounts are valid and active. Use Get-MgUser to verify their details.
• Log Changes: Keep a log of successful updates and errors for auditing purposes. Example:

try {  
    Set-MgUserManagerByRef -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $Manager  
    Add-Content -Path "C:\Logs\ManagerUpdates.txt" -Value "Assigned manager to $userId successfully."  
} catch {  
    Add-Content -Path "C:\Logs\ManagerUpdates.txt" -Value "Failed to assign manager to $userId: $_"  
}  

• Use -WhatIf for Testing: Preview the results of your command before execution to avoid unintended changes:

Set-MgUserManagerByRef -UserId "john.doe@company.com" -BodyParameter $Manager -WhatIf  

• Automate Onboarding and Role Changes: Incorporate Set-MgUserManagerByRef into automated workflows for onboarding or departmental role changes to ensure accurate reporting structures.

Conclusion

The Set-MgUserManagerByRef cmdlet is an indispensable tool for Microsoft 365 administrators. Whether assigning a manager to a single user or updating reporting structures for entire departments, this cmdlet simplifies the process and ensures organizational hierarchies remain accurate.

By leveraging the power of Set-MgUserManagerByRef and following best practices, you can save time, reduce errors, and improve the efficiency of your administrative workflows.

Start using Set-MgUserManagerByRef today and streamline your organization’s hierarchy management!

Did You Know? Managing Microsoft 365 applications is even easier with automation. Try our Graph PowerShell scripts to automate tasks like generating reports, cleaning up inactive Teams, or assigning licenses efficiently.

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