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Quick answer
To update users in bulk, open Directory, then Users in the Admin console and choose Bulk update users. Download the CSV of your current users, change only the columns you need (for example job title or department), leave the password column empty, and upload the file. To force a password change, set the "Change Password at Next Sign-In" column to TRUE for those users.
How do you update users with a CSV?
- Step 1
Open the users list
In admin.google.com, open Menu, Directory, Users.
Screenshot to come · Step 1: Open the users list - Step 2
Choose Bulk update users
At the top of the list.
Screenshot to come · Step 2: Choose Bulk update users - Step 3
Download your current users
Choose Download user info so the file starts with everyone's existing details.
Screenshot to come · Step 3: Download your current users - Step 4
Edit the file
Open it in Google Sheets or Excel. Change only the columns you need, such as Employee Title, Department, Manager Email or Work Phone. Delete the rows of users you are not changing.
Screenshot to come · Step 4: Edit the file - Step 5
Leave passwords blank
An empty Password cell keeps the user's current password.
Screenshot to come · Step 5: Leave passwords blank - Step 6
Save as CSV
Keep the header row unchanged and save in .csv format.
Screenshot to come · Step 6: Save as CSV - Step 7
Upload
Back in Bulk update users, attach the file and click Upload. Google emails you a report when the job finishes.
Screenshot to come · Step 7: Upload
How do you make users change their password at next sign-in?
- Step 1
Use the same CSV
Download your users as above.
Screenshot to come · Step 1: Use the same CSV - Step 2
Set the column
In Change Password at Next Sign-In, enter TRUE for every user who must choose a new password. Leave Password blank.
Screenshot to come · Step 2: Set the column - Step 3
Upload the file
Users are asked for a new password the next time they sign in.
Screenshot to come · Step 3: Upload the file - Step 4
One user only?
Open the user in Directory, Users, click Reset password, and tick the option to ask for a change at next sign-in.
Screenshot to come · Step 4: One user only?
What should you watch out for?
Warning
This affects everyone in the file
Check the rows before you upload. A forced password change in the middle of the working day signs people out on every device.
Good to know
Not with single sign-on
If users sign in through Microsoft Entra ID or another identity provider, passwords are managed there, not in Google.
Good to know
Password rules
Set length, strength and reuse rules under Security, Authentication, Password management. Google Workspace has no setting that stops users changing their own password; older workarounds for this are not supported.
Tip
Split large files
If you are updating thousands of users, upload them in smaller files so errors are easier to fix.
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