Import Users into Active Directory from CSV

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In this guide, you will learn how to import users into Active Directory from a CSV file using the AD Pro Toolkit. With the Toolkit all you need to do is download the included csv template and fill out the requires fields to easily create new accounts.

Table of Contents

• How to Import Active Directory Users from CSV
• Supported Attributes
• Add Additional Attributes to the CSV

How to Import Active Directory Users from CSV

Step 1. Download CSV Template

From the left menu click on “Create Bulk Users”.

Click on “Download CSV Template”.

• This CSV includes an example of two user accounts.
• The CSV template includes 33 user attributes. This covers the most common attributes for creating new accounts.
• Additional attributes can be added to the template (see the section Add Additional Attributes for details)

Step 2. Modify the CSV Template with User details

Open the CSV template and enter the account details. The below columns are required; all other fields are optional. You can delete the columns you don’t need.

1. SamAccountName = This will be the users logon name.
2. password = users password. Make sure it meets your password requirements.
3. givenName = First name
4. sn = Last name

CSV Example

Tips

1. Remove unused columns: You can remove any column from the CSV you don’t need. This can make working with the CSV template much easier. Just make sure you have the 4 required columns listed above; all other columns can be removed.
2. CSV Cheat Sheet: Use the CSV Cheat Sheet from the resources section if you do not understand the column names in the csv template.
3. Run a small test import: Run a small test import first (1-2 accounts) to ensure the CSV is correct and the accounts import as needed.

Step 3. Run the Bulk Create Users Tool

At this point you should have a csv file filled out with your user details. Now you are ready to start the import process.

1. Click on “Bulk Create Users”.
2. Click “Browse” and select your csv file.
3. Enable or disable any of the following options.
   
   
   
   
   • Enable: This will enable or disable the account when it is created (enabled by default)
   • User must change password at next logon: This option will require users to change their password at first logon.
   • Name format
     • FirstName LastName: Sets the name format to FirstName + LastName
     • LastName, FirstName: Sets the name format to LastName, + FirstName
     • Same as user logon name: Sets the name format to logon name (samaccountname)
       
       
4. Click “run” to start the import.
   
   

Supported Attributes

The csv file uses the LDAP name which can be different than the fields you see in Active Directory users and computers.

For example, in the csv to set the users First name you would enter that in the givenName column. Below are some screenshots that show the ldap to Active Directory names.

General Tab

Address Tab

Account Tab

Profile Tab

Telephones Tab

Organization Tab

LDAP Name	Active Directory Field	Description
sAMAccountName	User logon name (pre-windows 2000)	This will be the users logon name
password	N/A	The users password
ou	N/A	The organizational unit you want the account created in.
memberof		The groups you want the user added to.
userPrincipalName	User logon name	The user logon name under the account tab.
givenName	First name	The users first name
initials	initials	The users initials
sn	Last name	The users last name
displayname	Display name	The users display name
description	description	The description field on the general tab
physicalDeliveryOfficeName	Office	The office field on the general tab
telephoneNumber	Telephone number	The Telephone number on the general tab
mail	E-mail	E-mail on the general tab
wwwHomepage	Web page	Web page on the general tab
streetAddress	Street	The users Street field on the Address tab.
postOfficeBox	P.O Box	Users P.O Box on the address tab
l	City
st	State/province
postalCode	Zip/Postal Code
c		Country
profilePath	Profile path
scriptPath	Logon script
homeDirectory	Home folder > local path
homePhone	Home
mobile	Mobile
ipPhone	IP phone
title	Job Title
department	Department
company	Company
employeeid	N/A
employeenumber	N/A
manager	Manager
proxyAddresses	N/A

Add Additional Attributes to the CSV

You can add additional user attributes to the CSV file; you just need to know the LDAP name. You can find the LDAP name by opening the attribute editor in Active Directory Users and Computers. You could also use PowerShell to list all user account properties.

To see the attribute editor, you first need to enable the advanced features in Active Directory Users and Computer

Click view from the top menu then select advanced features.