Applies to: Exchange Server 2007 SP3, Exchange Server
2007 SP2, Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Exchange Server 2007
Topic Last Modified: 2007-01-31
A global address list (GAL) is a directory that contains entries for every group, user, and contact within an organization's implementation of Microsoft Exchange Server. GALs are displayed in the Microsoft Outlook Address Book on a client computer. Address lists are a subset of the GAL and can be used to further organize the recipients in your organization. For more information about address lists, see Understanding Address Lists.
If you have multiple GALs in your organization, only one GAL is displayed in the Outlook Address Book on a client computer. This address list displays as Global Address List, even if you specified a different name when you created it in Exchange Server 2007.
The following is a list of management tasks that you can perform for GALs, including links to topics that will help you complete the tasks:
 Note: |
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| You cannot use the Exchange Server Management Console to create, modify, update, or remove GALs. You must always use the Exchange Server Management Shell. |
 Important: |
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| You cannot edit or remove the default GAL. You can only edit or remove GALs that you have created. |
- How to
Create a Global Address List
When you create a GAL, you are essentially creating a blank container with settings and filters. The container is not populated with recipients until you update the GAL.
- How to
Modify a Global Address List
- How to
Remove a Global Address List
- How to
Update a Global Address List
If the filter rule has been edited, you must update the GAL. Also, to update the membership of an existing GAL to include new recipients and remove those who no longer meet the filtering criteria, you must update the GAL.
For More Information
For more information about address lists, see the following topics:
For detailed syntax and parameter information about the various GAL cmdlets, see the following topics: