Set-DistributionGroup shows error: The operation couldn't be performed because 'NAME' matches multiple entries

Question

Set-DistributionGroup shows error: The operation couldn't be performed because 'NAME' matches multiple entries

Alfredo Knudde 21

I made a powershell script to create a distributionlist in O365, it contains more, but this is not important for the issue.

Although I'm not the best scripter in town, what I do works for me :-) (so please keep it simple for me, to understand an answer)

$inputDL = Read-Host "Give a Name for the DL"
$mailadres = $InputDL.Tolower()+"@domainname.com" -replace " ",""
New-DistributionGroup -name $InputDL
Set-DistributionGroup -Identity $InputDL -PrimarySmtpAddress $mailadres

so far so good, this works, but the problem exists when there is a moderngroup with the same displayname
then the command to set a primairySMTPaddress with the last line shows the next error:

The operation couldn't be performed because '<name>' matches multiple entries.

CategoryInfo : NotSpecified: (:) [Set-DistributionGroup], ManagementObjectAmbiguousException
FullyQualifiedErrorId : [Server=xxxx,RequestId=xxxx,TimeStamp=1/8/2021 1:21:34 PM] [FailureCategory=Cmdle
t-ManagementObjectAmbiguousException] 4BEDA17B,Microsoft.Exchange.Management.RecipientTasks.SetDistributionGroup
PSComputerName : outlook.office365.com

how can I set the primarySMTPaddress to whatever I want, without the error?

it is almost the same as getting information from the distribution group, like:

Get-DistributionGroup -Identity $InputDL

The current operation is not supported on GroupMailbox.

CategoryInfo : NotSpecified: (name:String) [Get-DistributionGroup], RecipientTaskException
FullyQualifiedErrorId : [Server=xxxx,RequestId=xxx,TimeStamp=1/8/2021 1:59:38 PM] [FailureCategory=Cmdle
t-RecipientTaskException] 3BA80F2C,Microsoft.Exchange.Management.RecipientTasks.GetDistributionGroup
PSComputerName : outlook.office365.com

but with an extra parameter: -RecipientTypeDetails MailUniversalDistributionGroup

Get-DistributionGroup -Identity $InputDL -RecipientTypeDetails MailUniversalDistributionGroup

is shows the information of the distributiongroup i want info from, but it was to easy to think I could use the parameter in the SET command, that did not work

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Answer 1

Vasil Michev 123K MVP Volunteer Moderator

It's never a good idea to use "name" as identifier, as you can indeed match multiple entries. Use a unique-valued attribute, such as primarySMTPaddress, UPN or similar. GUID if you will. As for finding all the objects that might have the same name, use Get-Recipient.

Alfredo Knudde 21 Reputation points

2021-01-11T08:29:51.817+00:00

First: You're right (no further discussion about that) :-)
Second: but Isn't it strange that specifying Set-Distributionlist should have been enough to identify something with a distribution list?
Vasil Michev 123K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-01-11T11:34:26.267+00:00

The checks are performed across all recipient types afaik, not related to the specific cmdlet you use.
Alfredo Knudde 21 Reputation points

2021-01-11T12:23:59.607+00:00

Never tried the : Get-Recipient, but its a good start for making some checks into the script like: double displaynames and the suggested mailaddress we would like to use
then continue the script making the new-distributiongroup

Thanks for your help
Jeremy Bradshaw 56 Reputation points

2025-11-12T14:26:51.5366667+00:00

It's stupid that Get-DistributionGroup is bringing back other recipient types. Still stupid in 2025. The problem doesn't happen if you have any other kind of recipient by the same name either.

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Set-DistributionGroup shows error: The operation couldn't be performed because 'NAME' matches multiple entries

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