Associating a retention policy with a policy target

Last published : Apr 17, 2026
After you create a retention policy, you can associate it with a policy target. The policy targets that can be associated with a retention policy include managed tags and Active Directory Distribution List.
Note: You can associate a retention policy with more than one policy target. However, each policy target can only be associated with one retention policy.
To associate a retention policy with a policy target
  1. In the left navigation pane, select Retention Management>Retention Policies.
  2. Click on the policy you want to associate with a target.
  3. Under Policy Details , ensure that the policy details are appropriate.
  4. Under Targets, clickAdd Targets.
The Policy Target window appears.
  1. In the Target Type drop-down, one of the following targeted users to associate with the policy. The currently available options:
    • All
    • Distribution Lists
    • Tags
    • Active Directory Groups :
This option allows customers who sync Azure Active Directory groups using ADGroupSyncorSCIM Group Sync to use group membership information for retention.
You must associate Managed Tags when a policy is set to target Active Directory Groups. Managed Tags are applied to items based on group membership at the time the items are received. Therefore, when the Managed Tags are not associated, the group membership is evaluated only at the time of item expiry.
  1. Click Add.
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