Definition of Global Address List (GAL) in Network Encyclopedia.
What is GAL (Global Address List)?
GAL (Global Address List) is a list of all recipients in a Microsoft Exchange Server organization. The Exchange directory service maintains the Global Address List (GAL) in the Exchange directory database. The GAL typically contains
- Mailboxes
- Custom recipients
- Distribution lists

The GAL can be accessed by
- The Exchange Administrator program
- Microsoft-based messaging clients using Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), such as Microsoft Outlook
- Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) clients using TCP/IP, such as Microsoft Outlook Express
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) clients such as Web browsers using Outlook Web Access
NOTE
Public folders are the only form of Exchange recipient not contained within the GAL.