Applies to: Exchange Server 2010 Topic Last Modified: 2009-10-22

Dynamic distribution groups are distribution groups whose membership is based on specific recipient filters rather than a defined set of recipients. Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 provides precanned filters to make it easier to create recipient filters for dynamic distribution groups. A precanned filter is a commonly used filter that you can use to meet a variety of recipient-filtering criteria. You can specify the recipient types you want to include in a dynamic distribution group. Additionally, you can also specify a list of conditions that the recipients must meet. You can use both the EMC and the Shell to preview the list of recipients for a dynamic distribution group that uses precanned filters.

You can also specify conditions based on recipient fields other than what the precanned filters provide. To do this, you must use the Shell to create a custom query for the dynamic distribution group. Filter and condition settings for dynamic distribution groups that have custom recipient filters can be managed only by using the Shell.

Looking for other management tasks related to dynamic distribution groups? Check out Managing Distribution Groups.

 Use the EMC to preview the list of members for a dynamic distribution group that uses precanned filters

You need to be assigned permissions before you can perform this procedure. To see what permissions you need, see the "Dynamic distribution groups" entry in the Mailbox Permissions topic.

1. In the console tree, navigate to Recipient Configuration > Distribution Group.
   
2. In the result pane, select the dynamic distribution group for which you want to preview the list of members.
   
3. In the action pane, under the dynamic distribution group name, click Properties.
   
4. In <Dynamic distribution group> Properties, click the Conditions tab.
   
5. Click Preview.
   

 Use the Shell to preview the list of members of a dynamic distribution group

You need to be assigned permissions before you can perform this procedure. To see what permissions you need, see the "Dynamic distribution groups" entry in the Mailbox Permissions topic.

This example returns the list of members for the dynamic distribution group Marketing Department. The first command stores the dynamic distribution group object in the variable $MarketingDepartment. The second command uses the Get-Recipient cmdlet to list the recipients that match the criteria defined for the dynamic distribution group.

$MarketingDepartment = Get-DynamicDistributionGroup -Identity "Marketing Department"
Get-Recipient -RecipientPreviewFilter $MarketingDepartment.RecipientFilter

For detailed syntax and parameter information, see Get-DynamicDistributionGroup and Get-Recipient.