PowerShell Variables

What are PowerShell Variables?

PowerShell variables are symbolic names used to store data values for reuse during script execution. They allow administrators to simplify complex commands, make scripts more readable, and dynamically manipulate Microsoft 365 objects using Graph PowerShell. A variable in PowerShell starts with a dollar sign ($) followed by the name (e.g., $user, $groupId).

How PowerShell Variables Operate?

Variables can hold any data type—strings, integers, arrays, or objects. When working with Microsoft 365, they often store user information, group IDs, license details, or filters. You assign a value using the equals sign (=), and you can reference the stored data by simply calling the variable name later in the script.

PowerShell automatically evaluates the variable and injects its value when used in expressions, cmdlets, or pipelines. This flexibility makes variables essential in automating and managing Microsoft 365 environments.

Usage Example

1. Store a User Object

# Store user object in $user
$user = Get-MgUser -UserId "emma.james@yourdomain.com"
Write-Host "Display Name: $($user.DisplayName)"
                                            

2. Store a Group ID

# Get group and store its ID in $groupId
$group = Get-MgGroup -Filter "DisplayName eq 'HR Team'"
$groupId = $group.Id
Get-MgGroupMember -GroupId $groupId
                                            

3. Store an Array of Users

# Store all users in $allUsers
$allUsers = Get-MgUser -All
Write-Host "Total Users: $($allUsers.Count)"
                                            

4. Set a Password Profile

# Define password settings using $passwordProfile
$passwordProfile = @{
ForceChangePasswordNextSignIn = $true
Password = "Temp@12345"
}
New-MgUser -AccountEnabled $true `
-DisplayName "New User" `
-UserPrincipalName "new.user@yourdomain.com" `
-MailNickname "newuser" `
-PasswordProfile $passwordProfile
                                            

5. Assign a License

# Get and store license SKU ID in $skuId
$skuId = (Get-MgSubscribedSku | Where-Object { $_.SkuPartNumber -eq "ENTERPRISEPACK" }).SkuId
Set-MgUserLicense -UserId "emma.james@yourdomain.com" -AddLicenses @{SkuId = $skuId} -RemoveLicenses @()
                                            

6. Filter Users by Department

# Store filtered users from 'Finance' in $financeUsers
$financeUsers = Get-MgUser -All -Filter "Department eq 'Finance'"