Yes, it is possible to manage users created manually or by CSV along with other synchronization methods. However, it is important to consider how this impacts authentication and group assignment.
Managing users with multiple methods
The platform allows:
- Creating users manually
- Importing users via CSV
- Synchronizing users from other methods (such as Microsoft Entra ID, Google, or Auth0)
These methods can coexist without issues.
User authentication
If authentication is used with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory), Google, or Auth0:
- Users must exist in the corresponding identity provider
Therefore:
- If a user created by CSV does not exist in the directory → they will not be able to authenticate using that method
- If the user does exist → authentication will work correctly
Group behavior
Manually created groups
- Are never automatically unassigned
- Remain assigned to users regardless of synchronizations
Automatically created groups
- Are managed by the synchronization method
- If they cease to exist in a new synchronization:
- Users are unassigned
- But the group continues to exist on the platform
Groups assigned by CSV
- Are considered part of an automated method
- Are unassigned by subsequent synchronizations (Microsoft Entra ID, Google, etc.)
How to prevent groupings from being unassigned
There are two ways to ensure users keep their groupings:
Option 1 — Change the type of an existing group (recommended)
- Go to Users and groups > Groups and check the checkbox of the automatically created group you want to stabilize.
- Click Change type and click OK in the Change type of selected groups dialog.
Option 2 — Create the grouping manually from scratch
Create the grouping manually from Users and Groups > Groups > "New Group" (or the equivalent section for functional areas / hierarchical levels). Enter the group's name and click Save.
- Assign users to that grouping via CSV.
In both cases, the grouping will not be affected by later synchronizations.
Considerations
- Synchronization methods can overwrite automatic assignments.
- Authentication depends on the configured identity provider.
- It is important to define a strategy for managing users and groupings.
💡 Best practices
- Use the Change type button to stabilize an existing grouping, instead of recreating it manually.
- Manually create, or switch to manual, the groupings that need to remain stable.
- Verify that users exist in the identity provider before using SSO.
- Define a single primary management method to avoid inconsistencies.