Add a domain in Office 365

The default domain in Office 365® is {tenantName}.onmicrosoft.com. Until you add your own domain to Office 365, any new users that you create contain the default domain name.

This article describes how to add a domain in Office 365. By adding your own domain, you can create users specific to that domain.

Prerequisites

  • Applies to: Office 365 Administrator
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time needed: 24-48 hours for the domain to be verified
  • Tools required: Office 365 Global Administrator access

For more information about prerequisite terminology, see Cloud Office support terminology.

Before you can set up a domain in the Office 365 portal, you must create your Office 365 tenant with Rackspace and add the product licenses that you need.

Add a domain in Office 365

  1. Log in to your Office 365 Control Panel.

  2. From the left menu, select Office 365 Admin Center.

  3. From the left menu, select Settings, and then select Domains.

  4. In the Domains section, click Add Domain.

  5. Enter the domain name when prompted, and then click Next.

  6. Verify that you own the domain.

    This step requires you to log in to your domain's DNS host portal. If you do not know what your DNS host is, see Find your DNS host.

    1. Select the Add a TXT record instead option, and then select Next.

    2. Copy the TXT record information provided on the Verify domain page.

    3. Log in to your domain's DNS host portal.

    4. Add the TXT record by using the information provided on the Verify domain page.

    5. Save this change at your DNS host.

    6. After the TXT record fully propagates, select Verify.

    Note: The TXT record could take 24-48 hours to be verified by Office 365.

    Warning: It is important to consult your migration plan before continuing through the domain setup. Changing your MX records before you are ready to migrate can result in a loss of service.

    After Office 365 successfully verifies your domain, you can begin to assign it to your users. You cannot fully use your Office 365 services until you add the appropriate DNS entries to your domain's DNS host.