🚀 Bulk-Import Users into Nextcloud via CSV + Group Assignment (Shell Edition)

So, you’re running a Nextcloud instance and want to batch-create users like a proper sysadmin? Here’s a pure shell-based solution to create users from a CSV file, assign them to groups (even multiple ones), and feel like a boss while doing it.

📦 Prerequisites

• SSH access to your Nextcloud server
• Command-line access to occ (located in the root of your Nextcloud install, e.g. /var/www/html/nextcloud)
• Your CSV file ready to roll

📄 CSV File Format

No headers, just pure data. Format:

username,password,Display Name,Group1;Group2;Group3

Example:

next001,secret123,Max Mustermann,Vorstand;Mitglieder
next002,test456,Lisa Beispiel,Trainer
next003,pass789,Peter Test,Trainer;Mitglieder

🛠️ The Bash Script: create_users_with_groups.sh

<#!/bin/bash

CSV_FILE="benutzer.csv"  # Path to your CSV file

cd /var/www/html/nextcloud || exit 1

# Read file line by line
while IFS=',' read -r username password displayname groups_raw; do

    # Skip empty or malformed lines
    if [[ -z "$username" || -z "$password" || -z "$displayname" ]]; then
        echo "⚠️  Skipping invalid or empty line: $username, $displayname"
        continue
    fi

    echo "▶️ Creating user: $username ($displayname)"

    # Export password into environment
    export OC_PASS="$password"

    # Use -E to preserve environment for www-data
    sudo -E -u www-data php occ user:add --password-from-env "$username" --display-name "$displayname"
    USER_EXISTS=$?

    if [ $USER_EXISTS -ne 0 ]; then
        echo "❌ Failed to create user '$username'. Skipping group assignment."
        continue
    fi

    # Split group list on semicolon (;) and trim whitespace
    IFS=';' read -ra groups <<< "$groups_raw" for group in "${groups[@]}"; do group=$(echo "$group" | xargs) # Trim spaces if [ -n "$group" ]; then echo " ➕ Adding $username to group '$group'" # Create group if not already existing (ignore stderr) sudo -u www-data php occ group:add "$group" 2>/dev/null

            # Add user to group
            sudo -u www-data php occ group:adduser "$group" "$username"
        fi
    done

done < "$CSV_FILE"/code>

⚙️ Usage

chmod +x create_users_with_groups.sh
./create_users_with_groups.sh

Make sure your benutzer.csv file is in the same directory or update the path accordingly.

🔐 Notes

• Passwords are passed securely using environment variables – not via command line or stdin
• Group names are auto-created if they don’t already exist
• Semicolon (;) separates multiple groups per user

🧠 Bonus Tip

Want to go full automation mode? Integrate this with user onboarding scripts or provision your users via LDAP and only use this for custom or temporary accounts.

🫡 Sysadmin Glory Unlocked

That’s it – your users are now live, grouped, and ready to Nextcloud like pros. Want to set up Group Folders and apply permission rules? Ping me – I’ll nerd that out too.