Problem

There are two different usernames for the same user in Confluence, one is from the internal directory and the other one is from an external directory. This could happen due to a migration from Cloud to Server or even when adding an external directory that has the same user with a different username.

When this scenario exists, the user will log in for the first time in Confluence using their new username from the external directory and Confluence will see this username as a new user, different from the one already existing, since it has another username.

Cause

The application creates a Unique user_key for each username that is synchronized to Confluence. The content created by the user is connected to it using that user_key, which makes it possible to rename a user and keep their footprint.

In this scenario, even though the same person has access to both accounts, Confluence considers each username as unique and as a different user.

Workaround

 As Confluence currently doesn't have an option to merge accounts with different names, we need to manually rename the internal or external user to the correct username (matching both usernames). Here's the step-by-step to rename the username from the internal directory:

1. Go to User Directories on your Confluence instance;
2. Disable your External Directory;
3. Raise priority of you Local Internal Directory;
4. On the left menu, under Users & Security, go to Users;
5. Search for the username of the user affected and click on it;
6. Click on Edit Details;
7. Change the username to the same as in the External Directory;
8. Return to User Directories;
9. Enable your External Directory;
10. Raise priority of External Directory before your Local Internal Directory;
11. Synchronise your External Directory.

Following this workaround and logging in with your external username will show the merged content.

Resolution

The resolution for this matter is linked to the implementation of this Suggestion:  CONFSERVER-11990 - Getting issue details... STATUS