7 Best Business Central Excel Reporting Tools in 2026

The best Business Central Excel reporting tools in 2026 are Exsion Reporting, Jet Reports, Velixo, Acterys, Solver, Binary Stream MEM and Power BI. They differ on three points that matter to a controller: whether the tool reads live Business Central data or works from a copy, whether it handles multi-company reporting and consolidation, and how long it takes before your team runs production reports. For a finance team that wants live Business Central data in Excel with one-click refresh and no data warehouse, Exsion Reporting is the most direct option: it installs from AppSource in about five minutes and training takes a single day. The table below sets the seven tools side by side, and the sections after it cover each tool's features, pros and cons.

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Tool | ERP focus | Live or copied data | Consolidation | Typical setup

Exsion Reporting | Business Central and NAV only | Live, queries Business Central through the API on refresh | Multi-company in one workbook; Exsion Corporate adds eliminations and currency translation | About 5 minutes to install, 1 day of training, production reports within days

Jet Reports | Dynamics GP, NAV and Business Central | Live, per-function requests from Excel formulas | Multi-company consolidation in reports | 2 to 3 days of training, longer onboarding reported by some users

Velixo | Multiple ERPs including Business Central | Live through the Business Central API, budget writeback | Multi-company reporting | 2 to 3 days of training

Acterys | Business Central plus other sources, Power BI centric | Data loaded into its planning platform, presented in Power BI | Multi-source consolidation with audit trails | 1 to 2 weeks

Solver | Business Central plus other sources | Copied into Solver's cloud platform | Multi-source consolidation | 1 to 2 weeks with QuickStart templates

Binary Stream MEM | Business Central extension | Inside Business Central, no export | Intercompany automation and consolidated reporting across entities | Varies by scope, needs Business Central implementation expertise

Power BI | Any source | Scheduled refresh of a data model | Not a consolidation tool | 2 to 4 weeks, DAX and Power Query skills

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

1. Exsion Reporting: Excel-native reporting 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

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

6. Binary Stream MEM: multi-entity management for organizations with many legal entities

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

If you are a financial controller or finance manager running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you 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. Business Central's own export to Excel gives you a snapshot; the tools below give you a working connection. Whether you manage a single entity or consolidate across dozens of companies, there is a solution here for you.

How did we choose these Business Central Excel reporting tools?

Selecting the right reporting tool means understanding what finance teams need day to day. We evaluated each solution against the 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 an entirely new interface?

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

• Multi-company consolidation: how easily can you combine data across companies without duplicating formulas or creating separate workbooks?

• Learning curve: how quickly can a controller start building reports? Weeks of training delay the return on investment.

• Self-service capability: can finance create and modify reports independently, or is IT needed for every change?

• Implementation speed: how long before your team runs production reports? Some solutions need months of setup; others are ready in days.

Which are the 7 best Business Central Excel reporting tools?

1. Exsion Reporting: Excel-native reporting for Business Central

Exsion Reporting connects your Business Central data directly to Excel through the API, so you build reports that refresh with a single click. No exports, no copied data, no version control headaches; you work with live numbers in the spreadsheet environment you already know. There is no data warehouse, no Azure SQL replica, no VM, no gateway and no Power BI licence involved.

What makes Exsion stand out is its focus on the 80% of daily reporting needs that enterprise BI platforms overcomplicate. Controllers create profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports without writing code or waiting for IT. The tool inherits Business Central's user permissions, so your security model stays intact. Any table is available, including extension tables and flowfields, and 700,000 G/L Entry rows load in under five seconds.

For organizations running multiple Business Central companies, Exsion handles multi-company reporting directly in the workbook: tick the companies in the grid and the result gets a company column, across entities, currencies and environments. Groups that need intercompany eliminations and currency translation add Exsion Corporate; N+P Group reports across 45 entities this way, and AASK saved over 20 hours per month.

Exsion Reporting features

• One-click data refresh: update every report in the workbook with current Business Central data instantly, eliminating hours of extraction and reconciliation

• Multi-company reporting: combine data across Business Central companies and environments in a single Excel workbook instead of one file per entity

• Direct Business Central connection: live ERP data through the Excel add-in, so reports always reflect the latest posted transactions

• Reusable report templates: build a report once and reuse it, with formatting and formulas preserved across each refresh; the query is written into the workbook as a readable grid

• Drill-down: Show Details opens Business Central at the exact filtered entries behind a cell, and a pivot double-click shows the underlying rows

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

• Self-service report creation: controllers build and modify reports independently, without IT tickets or external consultants

Pros

• Fast implementation, with teams typically running production reports within days; installs from AppSource in about five minutes with a 30-day full trial

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

• Direct support from the Exsion team, and public pricing

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 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 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, so board packs can generate and email on a recurring cadence.

Jet Reports features

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

• Drill-down capability: click any number to explore the underlying transactions

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

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; editing reports requires the Designer licence and a switch between Design Mode and Report Mode

A detailed side-by-side is in Jet Reports alternative for Business Central: Exsion vs Jet.

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. The tool connects to Business Central's API for live data access and includes Velixo Intelligence, which 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 supports several ERPs and is particularly strong in construction.

Velixo features

• AI-powered analysis: ask questions about variances and trends in natural language within the spreadsheet

• Budget writeback: push budget entries from Excel back into Business Central

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

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

Acterys features

• Power BI integration: extends existing Power BI deployments with planning and budgeting

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

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

Pros

• Works well for organizations that have 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 do not 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.

Solver features

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

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

• Multi-source consolidation: brings Business Central and other systems into one platform

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

• An 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 business units from within the ERP. 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 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 per entity within a single installation

• Shared master data: maintains consistent records across all companies

Pros

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

• Automates intercompany reconciliation that typically consumes 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 will not 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 dashboards and data exploration. It excels at visual presentations of financial data that can be shared across the organization. While Power BI includes Excel export capabilities, it is primarily designed for interactive dashboards rather than structured financial report generation. Many organizations use Power BI alongside a dedicated Excel reporting tool, with Power BI handling executive dashboards and Excel managing detailed financial statements; the Power BI or Excel comparison explains when to use which.

Power BI features

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

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

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

Pros

• Often already licensed as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions

• Visualization capabilities exceed what Excel offers natively

• Large community and extensive learning resources

Cons

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

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

• Dashboard-focused approach does not match traditional controller workflows

How do the tools compare on Excel interface, refresh and training?

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Tool | Native Excel interface | One-click refresh | Training time

Exsion Reporting | Yes | Yes | 1 day

Jet Reports | Yes | Yes | 2 to 3 days

Velixo | Yes | Yes | 2 to 3 days

Acterys | No | Yes | 1 to 2 weeks

Solver | Yes | Yes | 1 to 2 weeks

Binary Stream MEM | No | No | Varies by scope

Power BI | No | No | 2 to 4 weeks

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

The right tool depends on how your finance team works today and what is slowing you down. Start by identifying your biggest time drain: extracting data from Business Central, consolidating multiple companies, or formatting reports for different audiences?

For controllers who spend hours pulling exports and reconciling spreadsheets, a direct Excel connection with one-click refresh removes that bottleneck immediately. Exsion addresses this specific pain point without changing how you build reports, and the guide to choosing a Business Central Excel reporting tool gives you an evaluation checklist.

If you consolidate data across many entities, make sure the tool handles multi-company reporting natively. Some solutions require a separate connection per company and manual merging; others pull from multiple entities in a single query.

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

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

A connected Excel reporting tool changes this fundamentally. Exsion lets you refresh the entire reporting package with one click, pulling the latest posted transactions from G/L Entry (table 17), Cust. Ledger Entry (table 21) and Vendor Ledger Entry (table 25) into every workbook. When the CFO asks why a number changed, you refresh again and see the current state immediately.

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

Why is Exsion Reporting the most direct Excel reporting tool for Business Central?

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

The tool focuses on the workflows controllers perform every day. Build your profit and loss statement once, then refresh it for any period with a single click. Combine 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, Exsion gets your finance team to productive reporting faster than alternatives that require extensive setup. Start the 30-day trial from the pricing page or reach out to the Exsion team to see how the tool works with your Business Central environment.

Frequently asked questions

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What is the difference between Business Central's native reporting and Excel add-in tools? | Business Central includes built-in financial reports, but they are limited to two global dimensions and do not offer the flexibility finance teams need for custom analysis. Excel add-in tools like Exsion connect directly to your ERP data and let you build any report structure with familiar spreadsheet formulas, 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 Exsion, pull data from multiple Business Central entities into a single workbook across companies, currencies and even separate environments. For eliminations and currency translation, Exsion Corporate adds full consolidation.

How long does it take to implement a Business Central Excel reporting tool? | It varies significantly by tool. Exsion installs from AppSource in about five minutes and typically has finance teams running production reports within days, while platforms that include data warehouses or extensive planning features may need weeks or months of setup.

Do I need IT support to build reports with these tools? | The best Excel reporting tools enable self-service. With Exsion, controllers build and modify reports independently using Excel skills they already have, without IT tickets for routine changes or consultants for every new analysis.

Which tool is right for organizations with basic reporting needs? | If your team primarily needs to pull Business Central data into Excel and refresh reports quickly, a focused tool like Exsion 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.

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