Alternate Address

In Microsoft 365, an alternate address is any email address associated with a NetID@wisc.edu or service account (something@domain.wisc.edu). Any NetID or Service account may have any number of email addresses associated with it. These email addresses includes, but is not limited to, previous alias/alternates accounts and/or user/role/service accounts that have been consolidated with the NetID. A message destined to any of the alternate addresses will be delivered to the main address on the account (NetID@wisc.edu or something_domain@wisc.edu).


Cloud Service

Services made available to users on demand via the Internet from a cloud computing provider's servers as opposed to being provided from a company's own on-premises servers. Cloud services are designed to provide easy, scalable access to applications, resources and services, and are fully managed by a cloud services provider.


Email Address

An email address identifies the account that messages should be delivered (e.g., bbadger@wisc.edu). An account can have multiple email addresses. Each account in Microsoft 365 has only one primary address, but an account can have multiple alternate addresses. An account will accept email for any email address on the account.


Email Domain

In email addresses, the domain is the part of an email address comes after the @ symbol. For example, for the email address of "bbadger@wisc.edu", the domain is "wisc.edu".


Linked Accounts

A linked account is an account that your NetID has been provided access to. For example, after entering your NetID login credentials at the NetID login screen, you will have the option of logging into your primary mailbox or any other mailboxes (accounts) that have been linked to your NetID, such as a departmental account. A NetID can be "linked" to any number of other accounts, simplifying the login process for users and providing much needed affiliation between accounts. Linked access to an account also provides other privileges such as consolidating in preparation for the migration to Office 365.

Instructions for linking an Office 365 service account to your NetID are available here.


Microsoft 365 (Email and Calendaring System)

Office 365 is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft. To see what features are available in UW-Madison's implementation, check here: Microsoft 365 - What features are included in Microsoft 365?


Primary Address

In Microsoft 365, your primary address is the email address associated with your Microsoft 365 account that will appear as your "From" address on emails and calendar invites. It will also appear as a result in the global address look up feature in Microsoft 365. For further information, click here.


Service Account

Microsoft 365 service accounts are intended to be used for shared/changing roles (e.g., info, secretary, webmaster, newsletter, feedback, etc.) or service/programmatic access (e.g., printers, copiers, mailers). Service accounts can be accessed via all Outlook clients. Learn more about the types of accounts available within UW-Madison's implementation of Microsoft 365.


Wisc Account Administration Site

A web site that allows administrators and end users to manage accounts (NetID and departmental) that access Office 365, WiscMail, CloudFax, Box, Qualtrics, LastPass, and Google Apps.