Using New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory in Graph PowerShell

The New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory cmdlet is a powerful tool in the Microsoft Graph PowerShell arsenal, allowing administrators to create new master categories for Outlook users. This article will walk you through the cmdlet's syntax, provide usage examples, offer tips, and explore common use cases, possible errors, and their solutions.

Cmdlet Syntax

The basic syntax for the New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory cmdlet is as follows:

New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId <String> -BodyParameter <Hashtable>

• -UserId: Specifies the user ID (or UPN) for whom the master category is being created.
• -BodyParameter: A hashtable containing the category details.

Usage Examples

1. Adding a Master Category to a Single User

$params = @{
    displayName = "Project A"
    color = "preset3"
}

New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId "user@example.com" -BodyParameter $params

2. Adding a Master Category to Multiple Users

$params = @{
    displayName = "Project B"
    color = "preset5"
}

$userIds = @("user1@example.com", "user2@example.com", "user3@example.com")

foreach ($userId in $userIds) {
    New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $params
}

3. Importing Categories from a CSV File

# Sample CSV Format:
# UserId, DisplayName, Color
# user1@example.com, Project C, preset6
# user2@example.com, Project D, preset2

$categories = Import-Csv -Path "C:\path\to\categories.csv"

foreach ($category in $categories) {
    $params = @{
        displayName = $category.DisplayName
        color = $category.Color
    }
    New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId $category.UserId -BodyParameter $params
}

Cmdlet Tips

• Color Codes: Use the predefined Outlook color codes such as preset0 to preset09 for consistency.
• Batch Processing: For adding categories to multiple users, consider using batch processing to minimize execution time.
• Error Handling: Incorporate error handling to manage any failures during the execution.

Use Cases

• Project Management: Assign categories to users for better project management and tracking.
• Organizational Structure: Create categories that reflect the organizational structure, helping users to prioritize and manage their tasks effectively.
• Departmental Segregation: Use categories to segregate tasks and emails by departments for better clarity and organization.

Possible Errors & Solutions

Error: Invalid User ID

Solution: Ensure that the -UserId parameter is correct and that the user exists in the tenant.

try {
    New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId "invalidUser@example.com" -BodyParameter $params
} catch {
    Write-Host "Error: User ID is invalid or does not exist."
}

Error: Invalid Color Code

Solution: Validate the color code before passing it in the hashtable.

$validColors = "preset0", "preset1", "preset2", "preset3", "preset4", "preset5", "preset6", "preset7", "preset8", "preset9", "preset10"

if ($params.color -in $validColors) {
    New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId "user@example.com" -BodyParameter $params
} else {
    Write-Host "Error: Invalid color code."
}

Error: Insufficient Permissions

Solution: Ensure the executing account has the necessary permissions to add categories for the specified user. MailboxSettings.ReadWrite is the required Graph API permission.

try {
    New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory -UserId "user@example.com" -BodyParameter $params
} catch {
    Write-Host "Error: Insufficient permissions to perform this action."
}

Conclusion

The New-MgUserOutlookMasterCategory cmdlet is an essential tool for administrators looking to streamline their Outlook category management across users. By understanding the cmdlet syntax, utilizing effective usage examples, and implementing error handling, you can efficiently manage Outlook categories. Whether you're organizing projects, structuring departments, or enhancing overall productivity, this cmdlet provides the flexibility and control needed for effective Outlook category management.

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