"Invalid Input: groupDescription" Error Encountered on Push Groups to Google Workspace
Dec 5, 2025
Lifecycle Management
Okta Classic Engine
Okta Identity Engine
Overview
The below error was encountered on push groups to Google Workspace:
Invalid Input: groupDescription
Applies To
- Push Group
- Google Workspace
Cause
Groups from AD are synced to Google Workspace using Google Cloud Directory Sync. The group description contains special characters such as ">", and when the push group is triggered from Okta, Google returns the error: Invalid Input: groupDescription
Based on this Google article,some special characters are not accepted.
Solution
To get past this error:
- Remove the special character(s) in the group description on Google Workspace.
- Unlink and leave the group in Google Workspace.
- Wait for 24 hours, as per the Google team.
- Refresh App Group.
- Push Group by name and link to the existing group in Google Workspace.
