Global Address List¶
The Global Address List (GAL) is a directory of everyone in your organization. It is automatically maintained by Vantage — there is nothing to configure or sync. Any active mailbox or enabled distribution list in your account appears in the GAL automatically.
What's in the GAL¶
| Entry type | Appears when |
|---|---|
| Mailbox | The mailbox status is Active |
| Distribution list | The list is enabled and not marked Hidden |
Suspended or deleted mailboxes are removed from the GAL immediately. Disabled or hidden distribution lists do not appear.
How the GAL is Used¶
Address Autocomplete¶
When composing a message, typing in the To, Cc, or Bcc field searches the GAL first, then personal contacts. The top suggestion can be accepted by pressing Enter, Tab, or comma.
GAL results are shown with a small type badge:
- Person — a mailbox
- Group — a distribution list
- Resource — a room or equipment mailbox
Address Picker Dialog¶
Clicking the To, Cc, or Bcc label in the compose window opens the address picker — a searchable directory browser. The GAL is the default source. You can switch to a personal contact book using the list on the left side of the picker.
To add someone to your message:
- Double-click a name to add it to the currently active field (highlighted at the top right).
- Or click the To / Cc / Bcc button on the right side of their row to target a specific field.
- Click OK when done.
People Module¶
In the People section of Vantage webmail, the Global Address List appears at the top of the left pane. Clicking it shows a browsable, searchable directory of your entire organization. This is read-only — the GAL cannot be edited directly.
Searching the GAL¶
The GAL search matches against:
- Display name
- Email address (local part and domain)
Search is available in autocomplete, the address picker, and the People module.
Resource Mailboxes¶
Room and equipment mailboxes appear in the GAL with the Resource type badge. Your administrator marks a mailbox as a resource from the Mailboxes page in Tenant Admin.
Frequently Asked Questions¶
Can I hide someone from the GAL? Individual mailboxes cannot be hidden from the GAL — all active mailboxes are included. Distribution lists can be marked Hidden to exclude them.
Does the GAL include people from other organizations on Vantage? No. Each tenant's GAL is scoped to that tenant only. Cross-tenant addressing is done by typing the full email address.
Is the GAL updated in real time? Yes. When a mailbox is activated or suspended, it appears or disappears from the GAL immediately.