Using Invoke-MgGraphRequest to Update a Microsoft 365 Group

This guide explains how to use the Invoke-MgGraphRequest cmdlet in Microsoft Graph PowerShell to update properties of a Microsoft 365 Group. Learn how to modify group details such as name, description, and visibility with practical examples

The Invoke-MgGraphRequest cmdlet is a versatile tool that allows administrators to send customized requests to the Microsoft Graph API, offering more flexibility than some specific PowerShell cmdlets like Update-MgGroup. When it comes to updating groups in Microsoft 365, using Invoke-MgGraphRequest can provide fine-grained control and is especially useful when you need to modify group properties not covered by built-in cmdlets.

In this article, we will explore how to use Invoke-MgGraphRequest to update group properties, provide usage examples, and highlight scenarios where this approach is particularly useful. We’ll also cover common errors and solutions to ensure smooth operations.

Cmdlet Syntax for Updating a Group

Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method PATCH -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/$groupId" -Body <JSON body> -ContentType "application/json"

Where:

  • -Method PATCH: Specifies the PATCH HTTP method to update the group.
  • -Uri: This is the full Microsoft Graph API endpoint for the group (https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/{group-id}).
  • -Body: The JSON payload that contains the fields you want to update.
  • -ContentType "application/json": Specifies the content type as JSON.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Update Group Display Name

# Define the group ID
$groupId = "e4b1c2f7-a193-43db-b69a-6a23b5b11c8e"

# Define the update payload here updating the display name
$body = @{
    displayName = "Marketing Team"
} | ConvertTo-Json

# Perform the PATCH request to update the group's display name
Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method PATCH -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/$groupId" -Body $body -ContentType "application/json"

This will update the group's display name to "Marketing Team".

Example 2: Update Group Description and Visibility

$groupId = "e4b1c2f7-a193-43db-b69a-6a23b5b11c8e"

$body = @{
    description = "Group for the marketing department"
    visibility = "Private"
} | ConvertTo-Json

Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method PATCH -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/$groupId" -Body $body -ContentType "application/json"

This updates the group's description to "Group for the marketing department" and changes its visibility to "Private".

Example 3: Update Group Mail Nickname

$groupId = "e4b1c2f7-a193-43db-b69a-6a23b5b11c8e"

$body = @{
    mailNickname = "marketingteam"
} | ConvertTo-Json

Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method PATCH -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/$groupId" -Body $body -ContentType "application/json"

This updates the group’s mailNickname to "marketingteam".

Cmdlet Tips

  • Use Complete URLs: Always pass the full API URL (https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/{group-id}) when using Invoke-MgGraphRequest to avoid errors.
  • Permissions Matter: Ensure you have appropriate permissions such as Group.ReadWrite.All to perform updates.
  • JSON Formatting: Always convert your payload to JSON using ConvertTo-Json to ensure proper formatting.

Use Cases for Invoke-MgGraphRequest

  • Bulk Updates for Groups: When managing large organizations with many groups, you might need to update multiple properties across different groups. By using Invoke-MgGraphRequest, you can write scripts to automate these updates efficiently.
  • Handling Non-Standard Properties: Some group properties are not easily modified using the standard cmdlets. Invoke-MgGraphRequest gives you full access to the Microsoft Graph API, making it ideal for custom scenarios.
  • Hybrid Approach: Administrators who want to mix Graph API calls with custom logic in PowerShell will find Invoke-MgGraphRequest highly useful. It allows for more flexibility compared to predefined cmdlets.

Possible Errors & Solutions

Error Cause Solution
401 Unauthorized Lack of proper permissions Ensure the service principal or app has Group.ReadWrite.All permissions.
400 Bad Request Invalid request body or URL Ensure that the JSON body is formatted correctly and that the group ID is valid.
404 Not Found Invalid group ID Double-check the $groupId to ensure it points to a valid group in your tenant.
Precondition Failed (412) Missing If-Match header Some operations (like deletions) require the If-Match header, which includes the ETag value.
429 Too Many Requests API rate limit exceeded Implement retry logic with backoff, especially when updating multiple groups in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Invoke-MgGraphRequest used for?

Invoke-MgGraphRequest is a Microsoft Graph PowerShell cmdlet used to perform custom API calls, including updating Microsoft 365 Group properties.

2. How can I update multiple groups using a CSV file?

Prepare a CSV file with the following format:

GroupId,DisplayName,Description,Visibility
<GroupId1>,New Name 1,New Description 1,Private
<GroupId2>,New Name 2,New Description 2,Public

Use this script to process the CSV and update the groups:

$Groups = Import-Csv -Path "C:\Path\To\File.csv"
    foreach ($Group in $Groups) {
        $Body = @{
            displayName = $Group.DisplayName
            description = $Group.Description
            visibility = $Group.Visibility
        }
        Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method PATCH -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/groups/$($Group.GroupId)" -Body $Body 
    }

3. What permissions are required to update Microsoft 365 Groups?

You need the Group.ReadWrite.All or Directory.ReadWrite.All permission in Microsoft Graph PowerShell. Ensure these permissions are granted in Azure AD.

Conclusion

Invoke-MgGraphRequest provides a flexible and powerful way to update Microsoft 365 groups via the Microsoft Graph API. While the Update-MgGroup cmdlet is convenient for standard updates, Invoke-MgGraphRequest is perfect for handling complex scenarios where more control over the API request is needed. It’s especially useful in situations that require updating multiple properties, handling non-standard fields, or automating bulk updates.

By leveraging the flexibility of Invoke-MgGraphRequest, IT administrators can ensure that they can perform any update necessary in their group management workflows, even for properties that are not easily addressed by built-in cmdlets.

If you're looking to gain fine-grained control over group updates, Invoke-MgGraphRequest is an excellent tool to have in your PowerShell toolkit.

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