Use this method to share the addresses in a distribution list with anyone, even if they do not use Outlook, or to extract the addresses from a Contact Group (distribution list).
- Open the DL
- Outlook 2007 and older: Click on the Send button to expand the menu.
Outlook 2010 and up: Click Forward Group - Select In Internet Format (vCard)
This opens a new message form with the members of the Contact Group (DL) contained in a text file attached to the message.
If you are using this method to create a text file of the group members, you can also use the File, Save as menu and save the DL as a text file. (In Outlook 2007, Save as is on the Office icon's menu.)
Save List to a Contact Group
Once the recipient receives your forwarded contact group list, they need to copy the rows containing the names and address and paste them into the Members field of a new Contact Group.
- Open the Text file attachment.
- Select and copy the rows of names (copy all names at once)
- In the contact group form, click Add Members, From Outlook Contacts
- Paste the names into the Members field at the bottom of the dialog
- Click OK.
- Enter a name for your group and Save
Video Tutorial: How to forward a Contact Group
More Information
Create a Distribution List from a list of addresses - Recipients can use this method to convert the list to a new DL or to add the members to an existing DL.
Create Individual Contacts from a Distribution List - A tutorial showing users how to create contacts from an existing DL. This uses the File, Save method.
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12 Comments on "How to Forward a Distribution list"
I have created a distribution list. I want to email this to the members. How can I do this?
You need to insert it as an outlook object - right click on the contact group in outlook and choose Forward > and an outlook contact. But it will only work if you are using Exchange and sending it to coworkers. Otherwise, send the text file created by forward and tell the recipients how to create a DL in their outlook.
Diane, would that person have to create his own distribution listing after he is sent the vCard list?
Yes, they would need to create their own contact group.
I have a contact group that was forwarded to me. It is read only. How do I save it to my contacts?
How are you opening it? It might be read-only due to the way it was opened.
Can you forward the group as an Internet vCard? That will create a message with the DL members listed in a text file. You can paste it into a new Contact Group.
The method I recommend eliminates the warnings. :) It breaks the links to the contact, but unless the DL contains only addresses in the GAL or one-off (no contact exists) addresses, you'll break the link anyway.
I am new to office365. I successfully moved my contact list from outlook 2010 to office365. I can see the contact list when in my email home screen. I am attempting to build a group distribution list. I successfuly created the group name, but when I go into "member" and click add, to add names off of the contact list, the little icon which is suppose to pull up the contact list respondes "no items"... Can you please help... thank you! linda@lindaalcott.com
Are you using Outlook or web access?
If Outlook: If you start a new message and click the To button, do you see names? If not, see Missing addresses - this should fix the contact group problem too.
Hi Diane thank you for the information to share a distribution list. How is the best way to install a distribution list once recieved in email using outlook? The attachnment appears like a blank email so far...
Steve
Is there a text file attached? If so, open a new DL form, copy the rows of names out of the list and paste it into the Members field of the DL.
If its really a blank message, the person will need to resend you the list using Forward in internet format.