Custom Pattern
You can create a custom username pattern by specifying the number of characters from the first and/or last names in the Number of characters from first name and Number of characters from last name fields. If you want to use all characters in the first or last name, you can type an asterisk (*) in the appropriate field. After indicating the number of characters to use, you can indicate if the first or last name appears first in the username by choosing the First name first or Last name first option.

Standard Patterns
The Standard Patterns list box includes four predefined patterns, represented by a code. The number in parentheses following the letter F in the code refers to the number of characters that should be used from the user's first name. The number in parentheses following the letter L in the code refers to the number of characters that should be used from the user's last name. If a name has fewer characters than are specified in a username pattern, all characters are used.

There are four standard username patterns available. The usernames that each pattern would create for a user with the name Stephanie Morganstern are shown below:

• F(4)L(4)
  First four characters of first name, first four characters of last name
  StepMorg
   
• L(4)F(4)
  First four characters of last name, first four characters of first name
  MorgStep
   
• L(8)
  First eight characters of last name
  Morganst
   
• F(*)
  All characters in the first name, regardless of the number of letters in the first name
  Stephanie

If you use a set username pattern, you should determine how to handle duplicate usernames. For example, if you use the first character in the first name and all characters in the last name, you could have two BSmith usernames (for example, Barbara Smith and Bruce Smith). In this situation, you could add a number at the end of one of the user's last names to have BSmith and BSmith1.

To create a new workgroup:

1. Display the Workgroup Management page.
    
2. Click Create Workgroup.
    
3. Enter a name for the workgroup.
    
4. Select the Allow users to self enroll option, if desired.
    
5. Select the Generate usernames automatically using this pattern option, if desired.
    
6. If you choose to generate usernames automatically, select a standard pattern, or indicate the number of characters to use from the first and last names and select a pattern order.
    
7. Click Save.