> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.securepass.me/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.securepass.me/documentation/admin-user-guide/ways-to-onboard-a-user.md).

# Ways to onboard a user

The methods below all end in the same place: a user record on the **Manage Users** page.

| Method                | Use it when                                                                     |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **AD**                | Your users live in Microsoft Active Directory                                   |
| **OpenLDAP**          | Your users live in an OpenLDAP directory                                        |
| **Azure AD**          | Your users live in Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)                                |
| **Import from Excel** | You have a spreadsheet of users, or no directory to connect to                  |
| **Import from JSON**  | You are onboarding from a script or another system’s export                     |
| **Add User**          | A single person is missing from the directory, or you are adding one contractor |

{% hint style="info" %}
If a user already exists in SECUREpass and is picked up again during onboarding, the two records are merged into a single user record. Onboarding the same person more than once does not create a duplicate entry.
{% endhint %}