Financial reporting is more than a compliance exercise, it’s how you track performance, spot opportunities, and guide your organisation’s next move. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you have multiple ways to turn raw data into clear, actionable insights. The challenge? Choosing the reporting approach that’s right for you.
Here’s a breakdown of the three main options available and how they fit different needs.
- Built-In Business Central Reporting
Business Central comes ready with hundreds of standard reports covering everything from aged receivables to detailed sales breakdowns. It’s a powerful starting point that often goes underused.
What you can do:
- Use Analysis Mode to pivot, filter, and summarise data without leaving the system.
- Export to Excel, PDF, or Word in one click for sharing.
- Create reusable Excel templates so your reports are always in the right format.
- Ask Copilot to generate views in plain language for faster report building.
When to use it: For quick access to operational data, when working directly in Business Central, and when you want reporting to stay close to the source.
- Jet Reports for Excel-Based Insights
If Excel is your comfort zone, Jet Reports bridges the gap between spreadsheets and live Business Central data. No more exporting static files, Jet connects directly so you’re always working with the latest numbers.
What you can do:
- Build fully customised reports using familiar Excel formulas.
- Drill down from summary figures to transaction details.
- Create dynamic layouts that expand based on filters like department or account code.
- Share reports with non-Business Central users without losing clarity.
When to use it: For finance teams that want flexibility and control in Excel while keeping a live connection to their ERP data.
- Power BI for Interactive Dashboards
Power BI transforms data into visual stories. With scheduled refreshes and self-service filtering, it’s ideal for giving stakeholders the insights they need without sending endless static reports.
What you can do:
- Build interactive dashboards with charts, KPIs, and trend lines.
- Slice data by department, period, region, or any other dimension.
- Pull data from multiple systems—not just Business Central—for a broader view.
- Control access so users only see what’s relevant to them.
When to use it: For leadership teams, project managers, and anyone who benefits from visual, interactive reporting that can be explored on demand.
Which Should You Choose?
There’s no single “best” option—many organisations use a mix:
- Built-in reports for day-to-day finance operations.
- Jet Reports for deep-dive analysis in Excel.
- Power BI for strategic, visual insights across teams.
Your choice depends on the audience, the complexity of the data, and how you plan to use the results.
The Future: AI-Driven Reporting
With AI tools like Copilot becoming part of the Microsoft ecosystem, building and analysing reports is faster than ever. From generating analysis views with natural language prompts to summarising trends automatically, AI is changing the way organisations work with data.
In short: Business Central gives you the flexibility to match your reporting to your people. Whether they want instant dashboards, deep analysis, or simple exports. The key is knowing your audience and choosing the tool that will make the numbers work for them.
Transform Your Reporting with mhance
At mhance, we help organisations unlock the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Whether you need quick wins with built-in reporting, advanced Excel-driven insights with Jet Reports, or stunning Power BI dashboards, our experts can guide you every step of the way. Get in touch today to see how we can help you take reporting to the next level.