Quick guide: 7 best Business Central Excel reporting tools for finance teams

1. Exsion365: The premier Excel-native reporting solution for Business Central finance teams who need one-click data refresh

2. Jet Reports: Excel-based financial reporting with pre-built templates

3. Velixo: Multi-company reporting with AI-powered analytics in Excel

4. Acterys: Power BI-centric planning with Excel integration capabilities

5. Solver: Cloud-based xFP&A with consolidation features

6. Binary Stream MEM: Multi-entity management for organizations with multiple legal entities

7. Power BI: Microsoft's dashboard-focused analytics platform with Excel connectivity

If you're a financial controller or finance manager running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you already know the challenge. Your ERP holds all the data you need, but getting it into Excel for analysis, consolidation, and reporting takes more time than it should. Exsion365 makes this connection direct and instant, giving finance teams the real-time Business Central Excel reporting they need.

This guide breaks down seven tools that connect Business Central to Excel for financial reporting. You'll learn what each tool does well, where it fits, and which one gives you the fastest path from raw ERP data to polished financial reports. Whether you manage a single entity or consolidate across dozens of companies, there's a solution here for you.

How we chose these Business Central Excel reporting tools

Selecting the right reporting tool means understanding what finance teams actually need day to day. We evaluated each solution against criteria that matter most when your CFO asks for numbers and the auditors are waiting.

• Direct Excel integration: Does the tool work inside Excel where you already build reports, or does it require you to learn an entirely new interface?

• Real-time data connection: Can you refresh your reports with live Business Central data in seconds, or are you waiting on scheduled extracts and data warehouses?

• Multi-company consolidation: For organizations with multiple entities, how easily can you combine data across companies without duplicating formulas or creating separate workbooks?

• Learning curve: How quickly can a financial controller start building reports? A tool that takes weeks of training delays your return on investment.

• Self-service capability: Can finance teams create and modify reports independently, or do you need IT support for every change?

• Implementation speed: How long before your team is running production reports? Some solutions require months of setup; others are ready in days.

The 7 best Business Central Excel reporting tools for finance teams

1. Exsion365: The premier Excel reporting tool for Business Central

Exsion365 connects your Business Central data directly to Excel, letting you build reports that refresh with a single click. This is the reporting experience finance professionals have been asking for: no exports, no copied data, no version control headaches. You work with live numbers in the spreadsheet environment you already know.

What makes Exsion365 stand out is its focus on the 80% of daily reporting needs that enterprise BI platforms overcomplicate. Financial controllers can create profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports without writing code or waiting for IT. The tool respects Business Central's user permissions, so your security model stays intact.

For organizations running multiple Business Central companies, Exsion365 handles consolidation directly in your workbook. Pull data from different entities, currencies, and environments into a single report. When month-end close arrives, you're not scrambling to merge spreadsheets from different sources.

Exsion365 features

• One-click data refresh: Update every report in your workbook with current Business Central data instantly, eliminating the hours spent on data extraction and reconciliation

• Multi-company reporting: Consolidate financial data across multiple Business Central companies and environments in a single Excel workbook, saving you from maintaining separate files for each entity

• Direct Business Central connection: Work with live ERP data through Exsion365's Excel add-in, ensuring your reports always reflect the latest posted transactions

• Reusable report templates: Build a report once and use it repeatedly, with formatting and formulas preserved across each refresh cycle

• Minimal training required: Finance professionals get up to speed in a single day of training, since the interface looks and works like the Excel environment they already use

• Self-service report creation: Controllers build and modify reports independently, without submitting tickets to IT or hiring external consultants

Exsion365 pros and cons

Pros:

• Exsion365 delivers fast implementation with teams typically running production reports within days

• The Excel-native interface means finance professionals use skills they already have

• Direct support from the Exsion365 team ensures questions get answered quickly

Cons:

• Focused specifically on Business Central and Navision, not designed for other ERP systems

• Advanced dashboard visualizations require combining with Power BI for presentation-layer graphics

• Organizations wanting a full data warehouse solution may need additional tools for that architecture

2. Jet Reports: Excel-based financial reporting with pre-built templates

Jet Reports from insightsoftware connects Dynamics ERPs to Excel for financial reporting. The tool uses familiar Excel formulas and includes a library of report templates that finance teams can customize. According to insightsoftware, users report saving hours weekly on automated management reports.

The platform includes Reports Center for scheduling and distributing reports automatically. Finance directors can set board packs to generate and email on a recurring cadence without manual intervention.

Jet Reports features

• Pre-built report templates: Access over 100 templates for common financial reports to accelerate initial deployment

• Drill-down capability: Click any number to explore the underlying transactions and investigate anomalies

• Multi-company consolidation: Combine data from multiple entities into unified reports

Jet Reports pros and cons

Pros:

• Large template library helps teams start reporting quickly

• Report scheduling and distribution automates recurring deliverables

• Supports multiple Microsoft Dynamics versions including GP, NAV, and Business Central

Cons:

• Part of a larger insightsoftware portfolio, which may add complexity to licensing discussions

• Advanced AI features require separate Reporting Intelligence licensing

• Some users report a longer onboarding period compared to simpler tools

3. Velixo: Multi-company reporting with AI-powered analytics

Velixo positions itself as an Excel reporting and budgeting platform for Business Central with embedded AI capabilities. The tool connects to Business Central's API for live data access and includes a feature called Velixo Intelligence that answers questions about your financial data within the spreadsheet. According to Velixo's documentation, the platform supports bidirectional data flow, allowing users to push budgets back to Business Central from Excel.

The solution runs entirely in the Microsoft 365 environment, inheriting permissions from your existing Microsoft Entra ID setup.

Velixo features

• AI-powered analysis: Ask questions about variances and trends using natural language within your spreadsheet

• Budget writeback: Push budget entries from Excel back into Business Central without manual data entry

• SOC 2 Type II compliance: Meets enterprise security standards for organizations with strict governance requirements

Velixo pros and cons

Pros:

• Bidirectional data flow supports both reporting and planning workflows

• AI features can accelerate variance analysis for teams comfortable with new technology

• Deep Microsoft 365 integration aligns with existing IT infrastructure

Cons:

• AI capabilities may require additional configuration and user training

• Broader feature set means more complexity for teams who only need basic reporting

• Writeback functionality requires careful permission management to prevent data integrity issues

4. Acterys: Power BI-centric planning with Excel integration

Acterys approaches Business Central reporting from the Power BI direction, adding planning, budgeting, and consolidation capabilities on top of Microsoft's visualization platform. The tool connects to Business Central and other data sources, then presents results through Power BI dashboards with Excel serving as an input mechanism for planning data. According to Acterys, the platform automates data loading and validation during financial close processes.

Organizations already invested in Power BI may find Acterys extends their existing dashboards with writeback and planning features.

Acterys features

• Power BI integration: Extends existing Power BI deployments with planning and budgeting capabilities

• Multi-source consolidation: Combines data from Business Central with other ERPs and data sources

• Compliance support: Includes audit trail features for IFRS, US GAAP, and other regulatory requirements

Acterys pros and cons

Pros:

• Works well for organizations that have already standardized on Power BI for analytics

• Handles complex consolidation scenarios across multiple source systems

• Built-in audit trails support compliance requirements

Cons:

• Power BI dependency means additional licensing if you don't already use it

• Excel serves more as an input layer than the primary reporting interface

• Implementation complexity increases with the number of data sources connected

5. Solver: Cloud-based xFP&A with consolidation features

Solver describes itself as an extended financial planning and analysis (xFP&A) platform that connects to Business Central and other data sources. The tool consolidates information into a single cloud environment, then provides Excel-based report and budget form design through its add-in. According to Solver, the platform includes QuickStart integration technology for faster implementation with ready-to-use reports.

Finance teams design reports in Solver's Excel add-in, with the cloud platform handling data consolidation and storage.

Solver features

• QuickStart templates: Pre-built reports and budget models accelerate initial deployment

• Scenario modeling: Create what-if analyses to evaluate different financial strategies

• Multi-source consolidation: Brings data from Business Central and other systems into one platform

Solver pros and cons

Pros:

• Cloud architecture eliminates on-premise infrastructure requirements

• Supports connections beyond Business Central for organizations with multiple systems

• Driver-based budgeting models can automate forecast calculations

Cons:

• Data flows through Solver's cloud rather than connecting directly to Business Central

• Additional platform to manage alongside your ERP and other systems

• Feature depth may exceed what teams need for straightforward financial reporting

6. Binary Stream MEM: Multi-entity management for complex organizations

Binary Stream's Multi-Entity Management (MEM) focuses on organizations running many legal entities in Business Central. The tool centralizes financial processes, automates intercompany transactions, and provides consolidated reporting across all business units from within the ERP environment. According to Binary Stream, customers report significant cost savings from managing entities in a single implementation rather than separate systems.

MEM operates as an extension embedded directly in Business Central rather than as a separate Excel tool.

Binary Stream MEM features

• Intercompany automation: Processes transactions across entities without manual journal entries

• Scalable security: Manages user access permissions per entity within a single installation

• Shared master data: Maintains consistent records across all companies to reduce duplication

Binary Stream MEM pros and cons

Pros:

• Reduces the cost and complexity of managing separate Business Central installations

• Automates intercompany reconciliation processes that typically consume significant time

• Runs directly in Business Central without external data transfers

Cons:

• Focused on multi-entity management rather than Excel-based ad hoc reporting

• Organizations with simple single-company setups won't benefit from the core functionality

• Requires Business Central implementation expertise for deployment

7. Power BI: Microsoft's dashboard-focused analytics platform

Power BI is Microsoft's visualization and analytics platform that connects to Business Central for dashboard creation and data exploration. The tool excels at creating visual presentations of financial data that can be shared across the organization. While Power BI includes Excel export capabilities, it's primarily designed for interactive dashboards rather than structured financial report generation.

Many organizations use Power BI alongside dedicated Excel reporting tools, with Power BI handling executive dashboards and Excel managing detailed financial statements.

Power BI features

• Interactive dashboards: Creates visual presentations that stakeholders can explore and filter

• Microsoft ecosystem integration: Works with Teams, SharePoint, and other Microsoft 365 applications

• AI-powered insights: Includes features for automated anomaly detection and natural language queries

Power BI pros and cons

Pros:

• Often already licensed as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions

• Visualization capabilities exceed what Excel offers natively

• Large community and extensive learning resources available

Cons:

• Not designed for pixel-perfect financial statements that auditors expect

• Report modification requires learning DAX and Power Query rather than Excel formulas

• Dashboard-focused approach doesn't match traditional controller workflows

Comparison table: Business Central Excel reporting tools

What should finance teams look for in Business Central reporting software?

The right reporting tool depends on how your finance team works today and what's slowing you down. Start by identifying your biggest time drain: Is it extracting data from Business Central? Consolidating multiple companies? Formatting reports for different audiences?

For controllers who spend hours pulling exports and reconciling spreadsheets, a direct Excel connection with one-click refresh eliminates that bottleneck immediately. Tools like Exsion365 address this specific pain point without requiring you to change how you build reports.

If you're consolidating data across many entities, make sure your chosen tool handles multi-company reporting natively. Some solutions require you to build separate connections for each company and manually combine the results. Others pull from multiple entities in a single formula.

How do Excel reporting tools reduce month-end close time?

Month-end close typically involves pulling trial balances, running variance analyses, preparing financial statements, and answering questions from management and auditors. Each of these tasks requires current data from Business Central, and the traditional approach means exporting, copying, and reconciling at every step.

A connected Excel reporting tool changes this workflow fundamentally. Exsion365 lets you refresh your entire reporting package with one click, pulling the latest posted transactions into every workbook. When the CFO asks why a number changed, you click refresh again and see the current state immediately.

The time savings compound across the close cycle. Controllers who previously spent days on data gathering can redirect that time to analysis and strategic insights. Management gets answers faster, auditors get cleaner documentation, and the finance team finishes the close with fewer late nights.

Why Exsion365 is the premier Excel reporting tool for Business Central

Exsion365 delivers exactly what Business Central finance teams need: live ERP data in Excel, refreshed instantly, with multi-company consolidation built in. There's no data warehouse to maintain, no new interface to learn, and no dependency on IT for routine report changes.

The tool focuses on the reporting workflows controllers actually perform every day. Build your profit and loss statement once, then refresh it for any period with a single click. Consolidate data across your Business Central companies without copying between workbooks. Respond to management questions in real time instead of promising answers tomorrow.

With implementation measured in days rather than months and training completed in a single session, Exsion365 gets your finance team to productive reporting faster than alternatives that require extensive setup. When you're ready to stop wrestling with data exports and start analyzing your business, reach out to the Exsion365 team to see how the tool works with your Business Central environment.

FAQs about Business Central Excel reporting tools

What is the difference between Business Central's native reporting and Excel add-in tools?

Business Central includes built-in financial reports, but they're limited to two global dimensions and don't offer the flexibility finance teams need for custom analysis. Excel add-in tools like Exsion365 connect directly to your ERP data and let you build any report structure using familiar spreadsheet formulas. You get real-time data with the formatting control that auditors and executives expect.

Can I consolidate multiple Business Central companies in one Excel report?

Yes. Tools designed for multi-company reporting, including Exsion365, let you pull data from multiple Business Central entities into a single workbook. You can report across different companies, currencies, and even separate environments without maintaining duplicate formulas or manually merging spreadsheets.

How long does it take to implement a Business Central Excel reporting tool?

Implementation time varies significantly by tool. Exsion365 typically gets finance teams running production reports within days, since the Excel-native interface requires minimal training. More complex platforms that include data warehouses or extensive planning features may require weeks or months of setup and configuration.

Do I need IT support to build reports with these tools?

The best Excel reporting tools enable self-service report creation. With Exsion365, financial controllers build and modify reports independently using Excel skills they already have. You don't need to submit IT tickets for routine changes or hire consultants every time management requests a new analysis.

Which tool is right for organizations with basic reporting needs?

If your finance team primarily needs to pull Business Central data into Excel and refresh reports quickly, a focused tool like Exsion365 offers the fastest path to value. Enterprise planning platforms and full BI suites add capabilities you may not need, along with complexity that slows adoption. Match the tool to your actual workflows rather than buying features you won't use.