Bulk Importing users

[aidenbran2000]

First time having to import users into AD as our IT Manager used to do this but is there any free software which will allow us to bulk add the users from a CSV file? I do like a good GUI rather than a powershell script!

[Daaood]

This is what i use.

 

Account Management Spreadsheet

[Scarabjay]

I'm in the same position aidenbran2000. I'm currently trying to get my head around this https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/New-User-Creation-tool-14fa73cd I'd love to hear if you have any success with it.

[DGardiner]

solarwinds have a free AD import tool ive used in the past

 

FREE Admin Bundle for Active Directory | SolarWinds

[sted]

if you format the csv right you can just use powershell not that i do it that way ive got a spreadsheet ive been using over the years but its a pain to explain to people lol

[jaminben]

+1 for Powershell and a csv... it's reasonably easy to do.

[aidenbran2000]

+1 for Powershell and a csv... it's reasonably easy to do.

 

Can you explain further. I don't mind using it as long as i know exactly what i am doing with it!

[jaminben]

Can you explain further. I don't mind using it as long as i know exactly what i am doing with it!

 

Mines customized for our sites and little hard to explain here but try looking at something like this.

[CHM-ITServices]

I use https://dovestones.com/

[jthompson]

This is what i use.

 

Account Management Spreadsheet

 

Seconded. This is what I've used for years. It has loads options. I usually tread carefully and do the first one by itself as a test to check that I've got all the options right, before then doing the rest in bulk.

 

I also use Bulk AD Users to finish off few other tasks afterwards (we store some things in other AD attributes, which this lets us sort out).

[SHimmer45]

powershell and a CSV i did it for the 1st time a couple of years ago and despite a few early mistakes it works well.

Technet have some decent examples to get you going (i cant program at all really an i manage )

[Rob_D]

I've always used CSVDE from the command line.

CSVDE - Examples bulk import user accounts into Active Directory

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732101(v=ws.11).aspx

[noelmm]

I have recently created a PowerShell script that does this for me and then assigns the users into my pre-determined groups within the script. Although getting the script to work took a little help from some of the great members we have it was an invaluable learning experience and I would recommend it if you have the time.

[fiza]

I use https://dovestones.com/

 

+1 for dovestones.

[NetworkNinja]

If you have time then i recommend you learn how to use powershell. I am still learning it myself and i find it very useful.

 

I have a script which basically reads a csv i create which automatically creates the accounts for me. The CSV is already set up every year all i have to do is change the first and last name and the whole spreadsheet changes for me.

[HPlum78]

PowerShell, I have been an advocate of it for a long time....

 

In the fist instance you can export your users from your MIS system to a CSV file and then using PowerShell import the users into AD, but to be honest the best way to do this is use PowerShell to conect to your MIS solution and have all of your user life cycle driven from what should be your golden source of data for your users (creation, modifications and deletion).

 

This is something I have done from both CMIS and iSAMS and is one thing I would encourage all IT departments to do is automate these processes as soon as you are able (as mentioned baby steps). Get on the PowerShell journey it's an investment in your own career and if you are a Windows admin it's a skill you will need to continue being a Windows admin!

 

PowerShell.org

 

Don Jones https://donjones.com/powershell/

 

Jeff Snover The godfather of PowerShell watch his vids on channel 9. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Speakers/Jeffrey-Snover

 

Lee Holmes Precision Computing

His PowerShell cookbook is well worth a read and comes with some goodies that will help you on your ps learning.

[Areku]

+1 for powershell, but add sims command line reporter. spits out todays "onrole" students to a CSV, which then is picked up by a powershell script to create the user. Also spits out "leavers" which another script picks up, and deals with, all custom scripting.

 

.. i got fed up of calls "so and so students does not have his username" so scripted the lot, even emails the induction team the usernames and passwords to give to the student at 8am as soon as they start.

[jthompson]

+1 for powershell, but add sims command line reporter. spits out todays "onrole" students to a CSV, which then is picked up by a powershell script to create the user. Also spits out "leavers" which another script picks up, and deals with, all custom scripting.

 

.. i got fed up of calls "so and so students does not have his username" so scripted the lot, even emails the induction team the usernames and passwords to give to the student at 8am as soon as they start.

This exact arrangement has been on my wishlist for ages, ever since I learned the existence of command line reporter.

 

I'm tempted also to spend money on Salamander, and have G Suite setup with that too. There have been so many occasions where I've not been informed about staff leaving! Solid automation would help tighten everything up.