What is an email alias?
An alias is a way to disguise another Microsoft 365 email address. Everything sent to an alias email address is actually received in the primary email account's inbox.
Aliases can diversify a single email account without having to pay for multiple inboxes. You can create up to 400 aliases for the same email account.
To learn more about aliases, select a question to see its answer:
- Will I see my alias in my primary inbox?
- Can my alias filter to a specific folder?
- Can I send email from my alias?
- How long before an alias becomes active?
- Can I turn an email address into an alias?
- What if my alias isn't working?
- Can an alias go to multiple email addresses?
Will I see my alias in my primary inbox?
All mail sent to an alias shows as the primary mailbox address, not the alias. For example, if you have the email account jane@coolexample.com and create the alias support@coolexample.com, mail sent to support@ will show in your inbox as sent to jane@.
To have support@ show as the To address, create a distribution group with your primary email account as a member.
Can my alias filter to a specific folder?
No, inbox rules don't filter aliases to specific folders. However, you can create the address as a distribution group (with your primary email account as a member) and make a rule that automatically moves mail sent to your distribution group to a folder. Learn more about inbox rules from Microsoft.
Note: An email address can't be both an alias and a distribution group at the same time. To change an address from an alias to a distribution group, first delete the alias before creating it as a distribution group.
Can I send email from my alias?
You can't send from an alias. Any reply will show your primary email address as the sender.
For example, if you have jane@coolexample.com as your primary email account and you create the aliases jobs@coolexample.com and events@coolexample.com, all mail sent to jobs@ or events@ goes to your regular inbox. When you reply to mail, it's sent from jane@coolexample.com.
To send from the address, create another email account or a distribution group. If you create the email address as a distribution group, you'll need to give your primary email address Send as permissions. Learn more about distribution group permissions from Microsoft.
How long before an alias becomes active?
As soon as you add an alias, you should be able to receive mail for it. However, it can take up to 24 hours for a new alias to start delivering mail.
Can I turn an email address into an alias?
If you change the username of your Microsoft 365 email account, the previous username is automatically added as an alias. Or, if the address is already set up as an email account, distribution group, or shared mailbox, you'll need to delete it before adding it as an alias to your primary email account.
What if my alias isn't working?
If your alias isn't working, try the following:
- Check the alias' spelling. Typos happen to the best of us.
- Confirm the sender is spelling the alias correctly.
- Make sure you've given the alias 24 hours to set up.
- If you're using Advanced Email Security, you might need to add the alias.
Can an alias go to multiple email addresses?
You can't assign an alias to multiple email addresses. Create a shared mailbox or distribution group instead.
