Importing external contacts from a CSV file: Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Name' because it is an empty string.

Article
2019-07-11

Question

_{Thursday, July 11, 2019 7:59 AM}

I trying to bulk import a CSV file called ExternalContacts.csv with just 4 fields:

ExternalEmailAddress

Name

FirstName

LastName

And I use the command:

Import-Csv .\ExternalContacts.csv|%{New-MailContact -Name $_.Name -DisplayName $_.Name -ExternalEmailAddress $_.ExternalEmailAddress -FirstName $_.FirstName -LastName $_.LastName}

I then get the errors:

Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Name' because it is an empty string.
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidData: (:) [New-MailContact], ParameterBindingValidationException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorEmptyStringNotAllowed,New-MailContact
+ PSComputerName : outlook.office365.com

What the heck am I doing wrong - it's a copy paste from: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/securitycompliance/bulk-import-external-contacts

All replies (10)

_{Thursday, July 11, 2019 5:29 PM ✅Answered}

I found the error!

My first CSV file (when I opened it in Notepad) had semicolons as delimiters, once I searched and replaced them with commas, I was fine.

It's such a PAIN to create external contacts via Powershell, I don't understand why MS didn't add an IMPORT button instead..

_{Thursday, July 11, 2019 5:08 PM}

The column names and the script sample seem fine, but the data must be populated for each row in the CSV, otherwise you will still get an error.

_{Friday, July 12, 2019 9:02 AM}

I found the error!

My first CSV file (when I opened it in Notepad) had semicolons as delimiters, once I searched and replaced them with commas, I was fine.

It's such a PAIN to create external contacts via Powershell, I don't understand why MS didn't add an IMPORT button instead..

It is a good idea, hope this feature would be added to the management GUI someday.

Anyway, happy to know issue got resolved.

Regards,

Manu Meng

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_{Friday, July 12, 2019 9:17 AM}

Thanks Manu. Trimming the CSV file for blank spaces was a pain. Once data was uploaded, updating contact data with powershell was easy.

_{Monday, July 15, 2019 6:56 AM}

Thanks Manu. Trimming the CSV file for blank spaces was a pain. Once data was uploaded, updating contact data with powershell was easy.

I know that, but EMS only recognize the CSV file in a fixed format, and semicolons as delimiters is not included.

I think issue here is more about the Excel, not Exchange server.

Regards,

Manu Meng

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_{Monday, July 15, 2019 7:10 AM}

Hi Manu

I agree. At first I thought it was a powershell issue. I'm sorry.

_{Monday, July 15, 2019 7:20 AM}

Hi Manu

I agree. At first I thought it was a powershell issue. I'm sorry.

Never mind. You may ask in the Microsoft Office > Excel IT Pro Discussions forum and see if there is a solution.

Regards,

Manu Meng

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Click here to learn more. Visit the dedicated forum to share, explore and talk to experts about Microsoft Teams.

_{Monday, July 15, 2019 7:41 AM}

Oh I did find the solution as stated on my reply from 12th July (semi colons vs. commas). I consider this ticket as completed.

_{Wednesday, July 17, 2019 8:56 AM}

Oh I did find the solution as stated on my reply from 12th July (semi colons vs. commas). I consider this ticket as completed.

OK, it is fine.

Regards,

Manu Meng

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_{Friday, February 28, 2020 5:17 PM}

Hey there. I am having the exact same issue, with the same copy/paste from that same KB. My CSV does not have semicolons, it has commas and is formatted properly, yet I get the same error. Not sure what the issue is.

Have you run into any issues with the script since July of 2019?

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Importing external contacts from a CSV file: Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Name' because it is an empty string.

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