Office 365: DNS records required for Microsoft 365

The steps to point your domain to your 365 plan depend on what nameservers your domain is using.  Please see here for general information on this from Microsoft:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/get-help-with-domains/create-dns-records-at-any-dns-hosting-provider?view=o365-worldwide

When adding the MX record make sure to remove or disable any current MX records or your emails may go to the wrong place.

Where to find the DNS records you need to add:

• Log in as the 365 admin user at https://portal.office.com
• Go to Service Management > Microsoft 365 > Show All > Settings > Domains (steps might vary depending on changes microsoft make)

ns1.blacknightdns.com

If the domain is using ns1.blacknightdns.com - ns4.blacknightdns.com then this is done through https://cp.blacknighthosting.com

This will be the case for most domains purchased or transferred to us after April 2022.

You can add DNS records under:

• cp.blacknighthosting.com > Domains > Manage DNS > click the Edit Zone icon to the right of your domain > Add Record
• If your domain isn't in the list then click Add New Zone to add it

Validation record:

If you picked TXT record validation then put in the following (where MS=ms######## is the value from the 365 portal):

• Name: @
• Type: TXT
• RDATA: MS=ms########
• Press Add Record once done, and then Save Changes at the bottom of the screen

MX record:

This is the record that will control where you email will go. Only set up this record once the domain is fully validated and you have your users and email accounts all set up in the Microsoft 365 portal.

• Name: @
• Type: MX
• RDATA - Preference: 0
• RDATA - Exchange: Copy the MX record value from the 365 admin centre and paste it here (viewable after you validate the domain)
• Press Add Record once done
• Press the Delete icon beside any existing MX records for this exact hostname\domain to remove them
• Press Save Changes at the bottom of the screen

TXT record:

The SPF record basically lists all servers that are authorised to send email from your domain. If you use any other services to send email, such as a helpdesk, your website, a mailing list application, then you need to add those to the SPF record.  We recommend the following for any domain using 365 for email and a shared hosting plan from us for website hosting:

• Name: @
• Type: TXT
• RDATA - v=spf1 include:spf.blacknight.com include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
• Press Add Record once done
• Press the Delete icon beside any existing SPF records for this exact hostname\domain to remove them
• Press Save Changes at the bottom of the screen

ns1.blacknight.com

If the domain is using ns1.blacknight.com - ns4.blacknight.com then this is done through https://cp.blacknight.com

This will be the case for most domains purchased or transferred to us before April 2022.

Set up the DNS records you need under:

https://cp.blacknight.com > Home > Hosted Domains > domainname > DNS > DNS Records > Add new DNS Record

Other, non-blacknight, nameservers

If your domain is using external nameservers then you need to log on to those nameservers to make the required changes. Please follow the instructions from your nameserver provider for how best to add TXT, MX, etc. records.