Bulk update user profiles with LDAP directory or API

You can update user profiles with data from your organization's LDAP directory or other sources with the following methods:

Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS)—Use to synchronize user data in your existing LDAP directory with your Google Directory. This method also synchronizes groups, contacts, and organizations. For instructions, go to Sync user data with Active Directory or an LDAP server.
Directory API—Use to programmatically update many profiles at once. After you turn on API access, learn how to update a user account.

Rich profile information connects users

When you add information to user profiles:

Individual and group addresses autocomplete in Google Workspace services like Gmail, Google Docs, and Drive.
Calendar intelligently suggests meeting rooms based on the location and number of guests (requires Calendar setup).
Users find profile information in Google Workspace services. For example, when users point to or tap someone’s profile photo, they open a person information card.
Users see organization relationships. If you add a manager email to user profiles, Directory automatically generates a reporting chain. Available in Google services on Android and iOS and in Google Cloud Search on all devices.

What you can update

You can add, edit, or delete the following information:

Secondary email address—An address that is outside your domain
Phone numbers, physical addresses
Desk location (if you set up buildings in Calendar)
Job title, manager email, department, and cost center
Employee ID and employee type
Organization-specific custom attributes
A user's primary email address and display name

You can also let users update some of their profile settings, including name, photo, and work location. Note: Gmail users can change their display name themselves.

How the Directory displays profile information

Person information card

		Name
		Profile photo
		Email
		Phone number
		Job title / Department
		Desk location: Building, floor, floor section
		Links

Contacts sidebar in Gmail

		Name
		Job title / Department
		Email
		Phone number
		Desk location: Building, floor, floor section
		Manager's email address
		Reports: Based on reports' manager's email address

User profile fields

To set the profile information that is shared throughout Google services, edit the following fields.

Profile value	Example	Admin console	Directory API	GCDS
Name	Sasha Lee	Rename user	`name`	Given name Family name
Profile photo		Photo	`Users.photos`	Not available
Email address	sasha.g.lee@ink-42.com	Primary email	`primaryEmail`	Primary email
Phone number	+1 949-555-0198	Phone	`phones[]` Note: Only these attributes are updated in the Admin console: Home Work Mobile Enterprise Voice	Work phone numbers Work mobile phone numbers Home phone numbers Fax numbers Mobile phone numbers Assistant's number
Address	123 Google Way, Inktown, CA 99999	Address	`addresses[].formatted`*	Street Address P.O. Box City State/Province ZIP/Postal Code Country/Region
Job title	Account Manager	Job title	`organizations[].title`	Job title
Manager's email	kat.deburgh@ink-42.com	Manager's email	`relations[].type.manager`	Manager's DN
Department	Marketing	Department	`organizations[].department`	Department
Organization	Ink 42	Change organization name	`organizations[].name`	Company name
Desk location	Building B-2-151C	Building ID Floor name Floor section	`locations[] with type=desk`	Building ID Floor name
Links	Directory \| Personal site	Not available	`websites[]`	Websites

*The Directory API allows both structured address data broken out by fields and unstructured address data as represented by the addresses[].formatted field, and they are not synced to each other. If you have structured address data and update the addresses[].formatted field, we recommend also updating your structured address fields for that user.

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