Dynamics 365 Excel Connector:
Sync Your Accounting Data via Power Query
SyncTools syncs Dynamics 365 Business Central to your own database on an automated schedule. Connect Excel via Power Query - no manual exports, no stale spreadsheets.
- Your database - PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Azure SQL
- Flat $50/month, unlimited rows, no overages
- No CSV exports - Power Query pulls from your SQL database on demand
No credit card required. Setup in under 15 minutes.
Trusted by Accounting and Finance Teams.
Dynamics 365 BC's "Open in Excel" feature is for data entry, not automated reporting. For scheduled Excel reporting with Power Query, the database sync approach is more reliable and scalable.
The standard path for D365 BC Excel reporting is to sync your data into a SQL database first, then connect Excel via Power Query (Data → Get Data → From Database) for refreshable, dimension-aware PivotTables.
Why Dynamics 365 "Open in Excel" Isn't Enough for Reporting
Dynamics 365 Business Central's "Open in Excel" feature allows users to view and edit list pages in Excel. It is a data entry tool, not a reporting pipeline. Each session is a snapshot - it does not refresh automatically, does not support scheduled updates, and does not expose the relational structure (dimensions, GL entries, line items) that financial reporting requires.
For multi-dimensional P&L reporting - the kind that breaks revenue and expense by Department, Cost Centre, Project, or custom dimensions - the data needs to be in a queryable SQL form, not a flat worksheet export. Dynamics 365 BC dimensions are the key segment layer, and they need to be columns in your analytical tables for PivotTables to work correctly.
SyncTools syncs D365 BC data into a SQL database with dimensions as columns on every transaction row. Excel Power Query connects to that database and refreshes on demand - no session, no export, no manual step.
Once the data is in your database, any SQL-compatible tool can connect: Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or Metabase. Azure SQL is a natural fit for D365 deployments already in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
How to Connect Dynamics 365 to Excel with SyncTools
Four steps. No manual exports. No "Open in Excel" sessions. No VBA macros to maintain.
Connect Dynamics 365 BC to SyncTools
Authorize SyncTools via OAuth - read-only access, SyncTools never modifies your D365 data. Select entities to sync: Sales Invoices, Purchase Invoices, Customers, Vendors, GL Entries, Chart of Accounts, Items, and Dimensions.
Configure your destination database
Bring your own SQL Server, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, or MySQL instance - or use the SyncTools-hosted database. Azure SQL is well-suited for D365 deployments already in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
Connect Excel via Power Query
In Excel, go to Data → Get Data → From Database. Select your database type, enter credentials, and browse the Navigator to select D365 tables. Load into a worksheet or the Excel data model.
Build PivotTables and set up refresh
Use dimension columns as slicer fields in PivotTables for departmental and cost-centre P&L. Set Data → Refresh All to update all queries, or enable refresh-on-open in Query Properties.
What Gets Synced: Dynamics 365 BC Financial Data
SyncTools syncs the financial data you need for dimensional Excel reporting, structured into query-ready tables with full header, line-item, and dimension detail.
Accounts Receivable
- Sales Invoices
- Sales Invoice Lines
- Customers
- Sales Credit Memos
Accounts Payable
- Purchase Invoices
- Purchase Invoice Lines
- Vendors
- Purchase Credit Memos
Banking
- Bank Accounts
- Bank Account Ledger Entries
GL & Reports
- General Ledger Entries
- Chart of Accounts
- G/L Budgets
Master Data & Dimensions
- Items
- Dimensions
- Dimension Values
- Units of Measure
Sales & Purchasing
- Sales Orders
- Purchase Orders
- Item Ledger Entries
Sync Dynamics 365 Business Central to the Database You Already Use
Microsoft's native Power BI connector queries live D365 OData endpoints at refresh time - large databases timeout and high-frequency refreshes hit API throttling. SyncTools pre-syncs to SQL once; Power BI reads SQL directly with no API calls at refresh.
Key differentiator: The built-in D365 Power BI connector works for small datasets but throttles on large transaction histories. SyncTools syncs once, then Power BI reads from SQL - no API calls at refresh.
PostgreSQL
Most popular open-source DB
Fully supported. Ideal for teams running Postgres in AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, or on-premises. SyncTools creates and manages the schema - D365 BC GL entries, Invoices, and Vendors land in structured tables.
MySQL / MariaDB
Common in existing infrastructure
Supported natively. If your stack already runs MySQL - common in ecommerce and hosting environments - SyncTools writes D365 Business Central records directly into it. No OData queries at refresh time.
SQL Server
Enterprise environments, Power BI's native source
Sync D365 Business Central to SQL Server and connect Power BI using its built-in SQL Server connector. No OData gateway. No throttling at refresh. The natural choice for Microsoft-stack organisations already running SQL Server.
Azure SQL
Cloud-first Microsoft stack
For organisations on Azure alongside D365. Sync Business Central to Azure SQL and connect Power BI Service using the managed SQL connector - no on-premises gateway required for cloud refresh. Eliminates OData throttling entirely.
SyncTools-Hosted Database
No infrastructure to manage. SyncTools provisions a dedicated database for your organisation and keeps it running. Ideal for teams that want zero DevOps overhead. Power BI connects via the hosted database's SQL endpoint - no gateway, no OData connector required.
If your database isn't listed, contact us - we're expanding support.
Why Database Sync Beats "Open in Excel" for Reporting
The SQL sync → Power Query architecture gives you scheduled, dimension-aware Excel reporting without the limitations of D365's built-in Excel integration.
Dimensions as Columns
D365 BC dimensions (Department, Cost Centre, Project, custom) sync as columns on every GL entry and transaction line. Use them as PivotTable slicer fields directly - no complex joins, no VLOOKUP chains.
Scheduled, Automatic Refresh
SyncTools syncs D365 BC on a schedule you control. Excel Power Query refreshes from the database on demand. No one needs to open a D365 session, navigate to a list page, or click 'Open in Excel' for data to stay current.
Azure SQL Native Fit
For D365 BC deployments in Microsoft Azure, Azure SQL as the destination database gives you native Power Query connectivity with no ODBC drivers - the same connector family your D365 environment already uses.
One-way sync guarantee: SyncTools reads data from Dynamics 365 and writes to your database. It does not write data back to D365. Your accounting records are never modified.
SyncTools also supports QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, MYOB, NetSuite, and Zoho Books - so you can sync multiple accounting platforms into the same database for unified Excel reporting. See the QuickBooks Excel Connector, Xero Excel Connector, Sage Excel Connector, MYOB Excel Connector, NetSuite Excel Connector, and Zoho Books Excel Connector pages for details.
If you use Power BI, Tableau, or Google Sheets, see the Dynamics 365 Power BI Connector, Dynamics 365 Tableau Connector, and Dynamics 365 Google Sheets Connector pages. For the full step-by-step setup walkthrough, see the Dynamics 365 Excel Integration Guide.
Flat $50/Month. Unlimited Rows.
No per-seat pricing. No row-volume overages. Your price doesn't change whether you have 1,000 invoices or 1,000,000.
SyncTools - Per Company
- All D365 BC entities - GL entries, Invoices, Customers, Vendors, Items
- All supported databases - PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL
- SyncTools-hosted database option included
- Automated sync - hourly, daily, or custom schedule
- Unlimited rows - no overage fees
- No OData throttling, no AL extension development
The built-in D365 Power BI connector works for small datasets but throttles on large transaction histories. SyncTools syncs once, then Power BI reads from SQL - no API calls at refresh, flat $50/month.
Trusted by Teams Worldwide
Thousands of accounting firms and finance teams rely on SyncTools to streamline reconciliation and save hours every month.
Customers who are Trusting Us
Haider Ali
Business Owner
"Excellent app. Very easy to work with. Very knowledgeable, understanding, and open to any requests."
Tom Brookes
Finance Director
"Best in class. If you use Linnworks and Xero, SyncTools is a phenomenal tool, far superior to any alternative we've tried."
Deborah Whitfield
Customer
"I recently installed SyncTools and it is easy to use. The team worked quickly, kept me informed, and now everything runs smoothly."
Heather Cook
Customer
"Best Xero connector on the market. Excellent customer support and continuous development from an app that does exactly what it says."
Harvey Uppal
Customer
"AWESOME: Excellent tool and has saved us so much time. Credit to the support team for being so helpful in setup and post-setup."
Geoff Ainsworth
Customer
"Excellent tool: Does what it says and connects seamlessly & if you have any issues the support is amazing!"
Nirav Khiroya
Customer
"Fantastic support: The team has always been diligent and proactive about fixing any bugs that arise. Would highly recommend them."
Robert Morris
Customer
"Have been using the Linnworks Xero connector for a couple of years now. It is very reliable and the developers are keen to improve it."
Connie Sturman
Customer
"I just looked in the connector and it looks like they were able to get the purchase orders synced... thank the team for us. Thank you for your help."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a native Dynamics 365 Excel connector for reporting?
How do I connect Dynamics 365 to Excel for automated reporting?
Does SyncTools work with Dynamics 365 Business Central and Excel Power Query?
What Dynamics 365 data can I get into Excel with SyncTools?
How often does Dynamics 365 data refresh in Excel?
Can I use Dynamics 365 dimensions as slicer fields in Excel PivotTables?
How much does SyncTools cost?
Does SyncTools write data back to Dynamics 365?
Ready to Connect Dynamics 365 to Excel?
SyncTools syncs Dynamics 365 Business Central to your own database on an automated schedule. Connect Excel via Power Query for dimensional PivotTables. Flat $50/month, unlimited rows.
Setup in under 15 minutes. No credit card required for trial.