PowerShell

Get-MgUserDirectReport: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing user hierarchies and relationships in Microsoft 365 can be simplified using Graph PowerShell. The Get-MgUserDirectReport cmdlet is a powerful tool for fetching the direct reports of a specific user. This article explores the cmdlet's syntax, usage examples, tips, common errors, and impressive use cases.

Cmdlet Syntax

Get-MgUserDirectReport -UserId <String>

-UserId: User whose direct reports you want to retrieve. It accepts either a User Principal Name (e.g., samadmin@contoso.com) or Object ID.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Using Interactive Prompt

This example demonstrates how to use the cmdlet interactively by first typing the command and then entering the UserId when prompted.

Get-MgUserDirectReport

Example 2: Directly Passing UserId

This example showcases how to provide the UserId directly within the command.

Get-MgUserDirectReport -UserId "samadmin@7xh7fj.onmicrosoft.com"

Both examples return the list of users (only their User IDs) reporting directly to the specified manager. If you want details like UserPrincipalName and DisplayName, then you need to pass these IDs to the Get-MgUser cmdlet as shown in the image below.

Cmdlet Tips

Filter for Specific Properties: Use Select-Object to narrow down the output.

Get-MgUserDirectReport -UserId "samadmin@7xh7fj.onmicrosoft.com" | Select-Object Id, DisplayName, JobTitle

Export Results: Save results to a CSV for easy reporting.

Get-MgUserDirectReport -UserId "samadmin@7xh7fj.onmicrosoft.com" | Export-Csv -Path "DirectReports.csv" -NoTypeInformation

Verify UserId: Ensure the UserId exists in your tenant by checking with Get-MgUser.

Possible Errors & Solutions

Error	Cause	Solution
ResourceNotFound	The UserId provided does not exist or is incorrect.	Verify the UserId with `Get-MgUser`.
Authorization_RequestDenied	Insufficient permissions for the signed-in account.	Assign the `User.Read.All` or `Directory.Read.All` role.
InvalidAuthenticationToken	Authentication token is expired or invalid.	Reauthenticate using `Connect-MgGraph`.
CommandNotFoundException	Cmdlet not recognized due to missing module.	Ensure the Microsoft Graph module is installed.
Empty Output (No Direct Reports Returned)	The user has no direct reports.	Confirm user hierarchy or validate data in Azure AD.

Use Cases

Identifying Managerial Structures: Administrators can use Get-MgUserDirectReport to visualize and document reporting lines within the organization. This is particularly useful for auditing management structures and ensuring accuracy in HR systems.
Automating Notifications for Managers: The cmdlet can be integrated into a script to notify managers about their direct reports’ status or send reminders for performance reviews.
Exporting Team Details for Insights: Exporting direct reports of all managers into a single CSV can provide insights into team sizes and departmental organization.

# Loop through a list of managers and export direct reports
$Managers = @("manager1@contoso.com", "manager2@contoso.com")
foreach ($Manager in $Managers) {
    Get-MgUserDirectReport -UserId $Manager | Export-Csv -Path "$($Manager)_DirectReports.csv" -NoTypeInformation
}

Conclusion

The Get-MgUserDirectReport cmdlet is an essential tool for managing user relationships in Microsoft 365. By providing straightforward access to user hierarchies, it enables administrators to streamline operations, enhance reporting, and support organizational transparency. Whether you're auditing user structures or automating managerial tasks, this cmdlet is a valuable addition to your administrative toolkit.