Comparing Objects in Azure Active Directory

When you perform restores, you can compare

• the data in two backups

• the data in a backup to the live data in the Azure Active Directory environment.

Single Object Comparison

This method allows you to compare the data of a specific Azure AD object — such as a user, group, or application — between two backup points or between a backup and the current live state. It is ideal for targeted investigations, troubleshooting, or validating changes to critical objects before performing a restore.

Procedure

1. From the navigation pane, go to Protect > Active Directory.

   The Overview page appears.

2. On the Applications tile, click Azure AD.

   The Apps tab appears.

3. Next to your Azure AD client, click the action button , and then click Restore.

4. To compare an object with the live data, do the following:

   1. Select the checkbox for the object, click the action button , and then select Compare > With live data.

      The Compare dialog box appears.

5. To compare two backups, do the following:

   1. In the Actions column, click the action button , and then select Compare > With previous backup.

      The Compare dialog box appears.

   2. Select a backup, click the action button , and then select Add to compare.

   3. Select another backup, click the action button , and then select Compare with selected version.

      The Compare dialog box appears.

Tenant-wide Comparison

This approach performs a comprehensive comparison across all Azure AD objects in the tenant. It is best suited for organization-wide audits, security assessments, or validating the consistency of full backups. Use this method to detect large-scale changes, configuration drifts, or unauthorized modifications.

Procedure

1. From the navigation pane, go to Protect > Active Directory.

   The Overview page appears.

2. On the Applications tile, click Azure AD.

   The Apps tab appears.

3. Click the Azure AD client.

   The Overview page appears.

4. On the Comparisons tab, click Add Comparison.

   The New Comparison wizard appears.

5. In the Compare Name box, provide a name for the comparison.

6. Click Next.

   The Configuration page appears.

7. Select the point-in-time comparison types.

8. Select the Source backup to compare using the calendar button.

9. If you have selected Compare two point-in-time backups in the previous step, then select the backup to Compare with using calendar button.

10. Select the Advanced Options if required.

11. Click Next.

    The Summary page appears.

12. Review the summary of the comparison, and then click Submit.