Default "icon" - uses strange two letters

[mrhall]

Currently we use staff photos for the user icon - so on emails, within teams etc...  But we notice other schools / organisations don't - so we wonder about changing.

Without an icon - looks like Microsoft creates a two letter code - but since I'm called Mr P Hall - the code would be MP.

Is this code customisable?  We've got a set of staff initials (all 3 letters) and this would be hugely beneficial - possibly even more so than a photo.

[JazzFlute]

42 minutes ago, mrhall said:

Currently we use staff photos for the user icon - so on emails, within teams etc...  But we notice other schools / organisations don't - so we wonder about changing.

Without an icon - looks like Microsoft creates a two letter code - but since I'm called Mr P Hall - the code would be MP.

Is this code customisable?  We've got a set of staff initials (all 3 letters) and this would be hugely beneficial - possibly even more so than a photo.

It’s not usually possible to change the initials shown on the default profile picture, as they are based on the Display Name set on your Office/Microsoft 365 account. For example, if your name is John Smith then its JS but i have seen first initials be their title initial as in M for Mr but i think that's where you or admin etc. enter it when creating accounts.

 

Personally, I think it’s useful for staff to have an actual profile photo, cartoon avatar, or similar. It makes accounts easier to recognise, and it helps confirm authenticity — especially because anyone spoofing an email address is unlikely to have the correct profile picture attached. A missing or incorrect photo can be an early warning sign.

Combined with MFA, DMARC, and other security settings, having proper profile photos helps reduce phishing risks and strengthens overall security.

Edited January 15 by JazzFlute
facts