# Create Assignment Templates ## ExtensionsAssignments Manager ## Create Assignment Templates Learn how to create CSV templates for bulk assignment management - manually or by exporting from your reference tenant. Assignment Manager uses CSV files to define your desired assignment state. You can create these templates in two ways: manually from scratch or by exporting from an existing reference tenant. *** ### Method 1: Manual CSV Creation Create your own CSV file from scratch using any spreadsheet application or text editor. Download Blank Template Start with a ready-to-use template: #### When to use manual creation * **New standardization projects** - Building fresh assignment patterns * **Custom requirements** - Need specific assignment combinations * **Template-driven approach** - Creating reusable templates for multiple tenants * **Precise control** - Want to define exact assignment states #### Getting started {% stepper %} {% step %} Create a new CSV file with semicolon separators (or download here: ) {% endstep %} {% step %} Add the required column headers {% endstep %} {% step %} Define your desired assignment states row by row {% endstep %} {% step %} Save and upload to Assignment Manager {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} *** ### CSV File Format #### Required Columns | Column Name | Description | Required | Example | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------ | | `PolicyName` | Name of the Intune policy | Yes | "Windows Security Baseline" | | `GroupName` | Azure AD group name or special target | Yes | "All Users", "All Devices", "Finance Team" | | `AssignmentDirection` | Assignment direction | Yes | "Include", "Exclude" | | `AssignmentAction` | Action to perform | Yes | "Add", "Remove", "Replace", "NoAssignment" | | `Filter` | Name of assignment filter (optional) | No | "Windows 11 Devices" | | `Filter Type` | Filter direction (optional) | No | "Include", "Exclude" | #### CSV Example ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Windows Security Baseline;Finance Team;Include;Add;; Windows Security Baseline;All Users;Include;Replace;; Compliance Policy 1;Sales Team;Include;Add;Windows 11 Devices;Include Compliance Policy 1;Marketing Team;Include;Add;Test Devices;Exclude Old Policy;Finance Team;Include;Remove;; ``` *** ### Method 2: Export from Reference Tenant Use this method to create templates based on existing, properly configured tenants. #### Navigate to Assignment Overview {% stepper %} {% step %} Go to in your reference tenant {% endstep %} {% step %} Click **Load Assignments** to fetch current assignment data This loads all current policy assignments from your tenant, including assignment filters and exclusions. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} #### Export to CSV {% stepper %} {% step %} Click the **Export** button {% endstep %} {% step %} Under "Export for Bulk Assignments", choose **Export to CSV** {% endstep %} {% step %} The file downloads with all current assignments in the correct format {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} The exported CSV includes: * All current policy assignments * Assignment filters (if any) * Proper column formatting * Ready-to-use structure #### Review and Modify If needed, edit the downloaded CSV to match your target requirements: Example: Change assignment actions: * Change `Add` to `NoAssignment` for cleanup assignments from a policy * Add `Remove` actions for policies you want to unassign Update target groups: * Replace specific groups with `All Users` or `All Devices` for standardization * Add or remove exclusion groups Adjust filters: * Update filter names to match your target tenant * Remove filter columns if not needed #### When to use export method * **Existing reference tenant** - You have a properly configured tenant to model * **Quick standardization** - Want to replicate current assignments across tenants * **Incremental changes** - Need to modify existing assignment patterns * **MSP workflows** - Deploying proven configurations to customer tenants *** ### Template Modification Examples #### Converting Export to Standardization Template Scenario: You exported assignments from a pilot tenant and want to create a standardized template for all customers. Original export (multiple specific groups): ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Security Baseline;IT Admins;Include;Add;; Security Baseline;Finance Team;Include;Add;; Security Baseline;Sales Team;Include;Add;; ``` Modified for standardization: This replaces all specific group assignments with a single assignment to All Users. ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Security Baseline;All Users;Include;Replace;; ``` #### Adding Safety Exclusions Scenario: Add test user exclusions to prevent policies from affecting test accounts. Original assignment: ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Compliance Policy;All Users;Include;Add;; ``` Modified with exclusions: ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Compliance Policy;Test Users;Exclude;Add;; ``` #### Removing Unwanted Assignments Scenario: Remove assignments from legacy policies during cleanup. Template for removing all assignments: ``` PolicyName;GroupName;AssignmentDirection;AssignmentAction;Filter;Filter Type Legacy Policy;;;NoAssignment;; Old Compliance Policy;;;NoAssignment;; ``` Scenario-specific examples Check out the Scenarios page for detailed CSV examples for common use cases: *** ### Best Practices #### For MSPs * **Create master templates** for each customer type or service tier * **Use Replace actions** to ensure consistent state across customer tenants * **Test templates** on a pilot customer before wide deployment * **Version control** your templates for change tracking #### For Enterprises * **Export from production** reference environments when possible * **Modify gradually** - don't change everything at once * **Document templates** with clear naming and versioning * **Test in development** before applying to production #### General Guidelines * **Start small** - test with 1-2 policies first * **Validate before upload** - check policy names, group names, and filters exist * **Keep templates organized** - use descriptive filenames * **Plan rollback** - know how to reverse changes if needed (see Backup and restore guide) *** ### Template Validation Before uploading your template, verify: * **Policy names** match exactly (case-sensitive) * **Group names** exist in the target tenant * **Filter names** exist and match the policy platform * **Actions and directions** use valid values * **No conflicting operations** in the same batch Validation happens during upload Assignment Manager validates your template during upload and shows you exactly what issues need fixing before proceeding. *** ### Next Steps Ready to upload? Once your template is ready, head to **Extensions → Assignment Manager** to upload and preview your changes. Related links: * How it works — * Common Scenarios — * Needed Permissions — * Workflow — --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.intuneassistant.cloud/extensions/assignments-manager/intune-assignments/create-assignment-templates.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.