Power BI with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

In today’s fast-paced business world, data is only valuable when it drives informed decisions. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides robust ERP capabilities, while Power BI delivers powerful business intelligence and analytics. Integrating the two allows organizations to turn raw data into actionable insights, ensuring smarter strategies and faster decision-making.

At Buy Business Central, we help businesses seamlessly integrate Power BI with Business Central, enabling real-time insights and smarter growth.

What is Power BI and Business Central Integration?

Power BI is Microsoft’s leading business intelligence tool that enables organizations to visualize data, build interactive dashboards, and generate automated reports. When integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, it connects directly to ERP data, covering finance, sales, inventory, and operations to deliver a unified, real-time view of business performance.

This integration empowers users to create custom visualizations, merge data from multiple sources or companies, and perform deeper analysis for smarter decision-making. Reports and dashboards can also be embedded directly within Business Central, ensuring insights are accessible where you work.

Why Integrate Power BI with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Integrating Power BI with Business Central transforms the way organizations understand and leverage data. It enables real-time visibility, faster decision-making, and AI-powered analytics, all within the ERP ecosystem. Below are the key benefits:

• Real-Time Data Visualization - Access live insights into your financials, sales trends, and operational metrics without manual data exports.
• Enhanced Decision-Making - With interactive dashboards, managers and executives can make faster, more informed decisions based on real-time data.
• Customizable Dashboards - Tailor dashboards to your business needs, focusing on KPIs that matter most.
• Seamless User Experience - Business Central users can access Power BI dashboards directly within the ERP interface, reducing context switching.
• Improved Collaboration - Share reports and dashboards across teams, ensuring everyone is aligned with the same data.
• Data Drill-Down and Exploration - Dig deeper into financial statements, sales orders, or inventory levels to uncover underlying trends.
• Automated Reporting - Schedule reports and dashboards to update automatically, saving time and reducing errors.
• Cross-Platform Accessibility - Access your insights on desktops, tablets, or mobile devices—anywhere, anytime.
• Advanced Analytics Capabilities - Leverage AI-powered features in Power BI to forecast trends, identify anomalies, and uncover hidden opportunities.
• Scalability and Integration - As your business grows, Power BI can scale with you, integrating with other Microsoft apps and third-party systems.

How to Integrate Power BI with Business Central: Step-by-Step

Integrating Power BI with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can seem complex, but with the right approach, it’s straightforward. Below are two main methods, explained in detail:

Option 1: Use the Power BI App for Business Central

The Power BI app for Business Central is Microsoft’s official solution for quick integration with pre-built dashboards. It’s the easiest way to get started with Power BI inside Business Central, offering ready-made reports for finance, sales, inventory, and projects. Here are the steps to integrate:

Step 1: Install the Power BI App from AppSource

1. • Log in to Business Central.
   • Go to “Extensions” → “Marketplace” and search for Power BI.
   • Select the official Power BI App and click Install.

Step 2: Connect Your Power BI Account

1. • Once installed, open the Power BI Reports section inside Business Central.
   • Sign in with your Microsoft account connected to Power BI.

Step 3: Choose Pre-Built Dashboards

1. • The app includes ready-made dashboards for Finance, Sales, Inventory, and Projects.
   • Select the dashboards relevant to your business.

Step 4: View Reports Inside Business Central

• • Dashboards appear within the ERP interface for seamless access.
  • Interact with charts, drill into details, and filter data in real-time.

Option 2: Create Custom Reports via OData Feed

For organizations that need highly tailored insights, Power BI can connect directly to Business Central data using OData feeds. This method allows you to build custom dashboards, combine multiple data sources, and apply advanced analytics. Here are the steps to integrate:

Step 1: Enable OData in Business Central

1. • Navigate to “Web Services” in Business Central.
   • Publish the tables or queries you want to expose as OData feeds.
   • Copy the OData URL generated for use in Power BI.

Step 2: Connect Power BI Desktop to Business Central

1. • Open Power BI Desktop.
   • Click “Get Data” → “OData Feed”.
   • Paste the OData URL from Business Central.
   • Sign in using your Business Central credentials.

Step 3: Load and Transform Data

1. • Use Power BI’s Power Query Editor to clean, transform, and model the data.
   • Combine multiple tables, create relationships, and calculate metrics like revenue, costs, or inventory turnover.

Step 4: Build Custom Dashboards and Reports

1. • Drag and drop visuals like charts, tables, and KPI cards.
   • Add slicers, filters, and drill-through options for interactive exploration.

Step 5: Publish to Power BI Service

• • Once dashboards are ready, publish them to the Power BI Service.
  • Share with teams or embed directly in Business Central using the Power BI Reports page.

Maximize ROI on Your Business Central Implementation

Integrating Power BI with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is more than just better reporting, it’s about enabling smarter decisions, reducing costs, and unlocking new growth opportunities. By turning ERP data into clear, actionable insights, your business can stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your Business Central data with Power BI integration?

At Buy Business Central, we help businesses seamlessly integrate Power BI with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to drive real-time insights and long-term success. Connect with us today and start transforming your data into decisions.