Which users may be mentioned in Confluence?

[SE Tools at T-Systems]

We have noticed lately the following when using @mention in Confluence:

• I try to mention someone (by using @ and his name), but the user is not found.
• I look into the people directory, but the user is not found either.
• I know for sure that the user was found in the past. I check as a Confluence administrator, if the user is registered, and he is.
• The user is currently not contained in a user group in Confluence.

So here is my question: Am I only able to mention people that are registered users in Confluence, that are at least added to one group there?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

I'm not sure about the directory, I thought it displays all users, no matter what their setup.

But no, the mentions are limited - Confluence is trying to stop you making mentions of people who can't log in to see the page.  As it won't mail them or involve them in the page, there's not a lot of point in mentioning them.

[SE Tools at T-Systems]

I do understand your argument, but there are interesting cases where that mentioning just is handy and helps:

• It is a nice shortcut to the person, no spelling errors, email included, ...
• You may inform the people, because the resource in that page is public available to anonymous access.
• The people may had been in the past access, but don't have access any more.

So not sending emails to people that are not in some group may be ok, but ...

I have to think about it some more minutes. Thank's for your answer!