How to Add DNS Records to Microsoft 365

To send emails using your private domain name, you will first need to add your domain and create a subdomain within your Benchmark account. After the subdomain has been added, Benchmark will generate the DNS records that you'll add to your Microsoft 365 account under DNS records.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for adding the Benchmark DNS records to Microsoft 365.

Topics Covered in This Article

Add DNS records to Microsoft 365
Frequently Asked Questions

Before Getting Started

Benchmark does not have access to your Microsoft 365 account.
Your DNS records are unique to the domain and subdomain you added to Benchmark.
Once your records are created, find them under Email Settings > Domain.
Propagation can take up to 48 hours.
This option is only available if Microsoft 365 hosts your domain's DNS records. If a different registrar hosts your DNS, you'll need to add these records there instead — see the FAQ section below.

How to Add Your DNS Records to Microsoft 365

The instructions included in this article were developed using resources from Microsoft.

Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
From the left navigation bar, select Show all, then select Settings to expand it.
Under Settings, select Domains, then select the domain you're updating.
On the domain's page, select DNS records, then select + Add records.
In the Add a custom DNS record pane, begin adding the records assigned in Benchmark. Add one record at a time:

Type: select the record type shown in Benchmark (for example, CNAME, TXT, or MX).
Host name: paste the hostname provided in Benchmark.
Points to address or value: paste the value provided in Benchmark — the exact field name depends on the record type.
Priority: 10 (only used for MX records).
TTL: use the suggested time. If none is given, 1 hour (3600 seconds) is a reasonable default.

Select Save to create the record, then repeat steps 4–5 for each remaining record. Each new record appears under Custom records.

After you have finished adding the records, you may return to your Benchmark account to complete the process. If you have navigated away from the records screen, you can still verify your work by checking your domain on the Domain page. From there, click the Retry Verification button next to the domain you are validating. This will initiate a web check to confirm whether the records were added successfully. Please note that DNS record propagation — once the records are valid on the web — can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.

If the records are not added, your domain's verification will remain pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will adding these records affect my existing website or email?

No. These records only apply to the subdomain you added in Benchmark — they don't change or remove any existing records on your root domain.

How long does it take for my records to be verified?

Most records are verified within a few hours, but DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. If your domain still shows as unverified after 48 hours, double-check that each record matches exactly what's listed on your Domain page in Benchmark.

I don't see a + Add records option — what do I do?

This means a different registrar hosts your domain's DNS records, even though the domain is connected to Microsoft 365. The Domains page will show which provider to manage records with under “To manage DNS records for [domain], go to your DNS hosting provider.” Add the Benchmark records there instead — Benchmark doesn't have access to that account either.

Can I add records for more than one subdomain?

Yes. Each subdomain you verify in Benchmark gets its own unique set of records. Add each subdomain in Benchmark first, then repeat the steps above for each one.