Connect to Dynamics 365 Business Central Data Using the Script Function in Claris FileMaker Pro

Claris FileMaker is a low-code database application development tool that enables users to create custom apps for managing and organizing data. It combines a powerful relational database engine with an intuitive interface, allowing both technical and non-technical users to design and deploy applications across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

In this article, we'll explore how to use the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central and FileMaker scripting to connect to Dynamics 365 Business Central data.

Create an ODBC Data Source for Dynamics 365 Business Central

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

To authenticate to Dynamics 365 Business Central, you must select an AuthScheme and provide the required properties (OAuth by default).

All Methods

Specify the . If you have multiple companies in your organization, you must also specify the to indicate which company you would like to connect to. does not need to be specified if you have only one company.

Access Key

To authenticate with an Access Key, set AuthScheme to "AccessKey" and provide the and properties.

To obtain the and values, navigate to the Users page in Dynamics 365 Business Central and then click on Edit. The User Name and Web Service Access Key values are what you will enter as the and connection string properties. Note that the User Name is not your email address. It is a shortened user name.

If you wish to authenticate through other methods, refer to the Help documentation.

When you configure the DSN, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

Connect and Sync Dynamics 365 Business Central data with FileMaker Using Scripts

In this section, we walk through the steps to connect live Dynamics 365 Business Central data to FileMaker using the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central and the Script function. During the initial import, FileMaker brings in all data from the external data source. From the second import onward, it updates only the data that has changed in the external source (a differential update). You can also replace the data in the current record order and schedule these differential updates for automated syncing.

You can download and install the latest version of FileMaker Pro for your Mac/Windows/Linux systems from this link.

Connect and sync Dynamics 365 Business Central data with FileMaker using scripts

Scripting in FileMaker automates complex tasks and workflows by running a sequence of actions with a single command. By using scripting to integrate with Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can automatically connect to, import, update, and replace Dynamics 365 Business Central data within your FileMaker applications, streamlining data management and improving efficiency.

First-time importing and adding Dynamics 365 Business Central data using script

In this section, we'll use scripts to import Dynamics 365 Business Central data into FileMaker by following these steps:

1. Open FileMaker Pro. Navigate to Create from the left panel and select Blank > Create.
👁 Create a new application in FileMaker

2. Enter a filename of your choice and click Save.
3. In the Manage Database window, go to the Tables tab and create or rename the table where you want to display the Dynamics 365 Business Central data.
👁 Create or rename existing the table

4. In the Fields tab, create and add the fields you want to use in the table.
👁 Add the necessary fields.

5. In the Relationships tab, add table relationships if there are multiple tables, then click OK.
👁 Add the table relationships.

6. To reopen and modify the table structure, go to File > Manage > Database.
7. Navigate to Scripts > Script Workspace.
👁 Open the Script Workspace.

8. Select New Script to open a new script workspace.
9. From the Steps panel on the right, select Records > Import Records > Insert into Script.
👁 Insert into script from import records.

10. In the Specify Data Source dropdown, choose ODBC Data. 👁 Click ODBC Data from Specify data source.
    
11. Select CData D365BusinessCentral Sys from the Select ODBC Data Source window, and click Continue. Enter your Dynamics 365 Business Central credentials and click OK.
👁 Select the data source driver.
👁 Enter the data source credentials to aunthenticate.

12. In the Specify ODBC SQL Query dialog, enter the SQL query in the SQL text editor to import the desired Dynamics 365 Business Central data.
👁 Specify the SQL query.

13. Alternatively, select Query Builder to open the SQL Query Builder window. Choose the target table from the Tables section and relevant columns from the Columns section. Click Insert into SQL Query after each selection to auto-generate the query. You can also manually edit the query using WHERE and ORDER BY clauses or the designated tabs. Click OK to finalize the query.
👁 Specify the columns in the table to auto-generate the SQL Query.

14. Click OK.
15. In the Specify import order option, click Specify and enter the Dynamics 365 Business Central credentials.
👁 Click Specify.

16. In the Specify Import Order window, define the import order for the target fields you added earlier. Select Add between the source and target fields to insert the Dynamics 365 Business Central data as new records in the table. Click Import.
👁 Select

17. The script now appears in the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import.
👁 Click Run to execute the script.

18. FileMaker imports the Dynamics 365 Business Central data as a table.
👁 The Dynamics 365 Business Central data gets loaded.

Update or Replace Imported Dynamics 365 Business Central data Using a Script

After importing the Dynamics 365 Business Central data into FileMaker, use scripts to update or replace any changes made in Dynamics 365 Business Central by following this process:

1. Go back to the Script Workspace by following the steps mentioned in the earlier section.
2. Select the existing script, click the settings button, choose Specify under Specify Import Order, and re-enter the Dynamics 365 Business Central credentials to authenticate.
👁 Click Specify again from the previous script.

3. In the Specify Import Order window, choose Update between source and target to update the imported Dynamics 365 Business Central data. This updates the target's found set with Dynamics 365 Business Central data values from selected fields when the match fields have the same values. You must define at least one match field in the mapping and select the checkbox Add remaining data as new records. Click Import.
👁 Select
👁 Match at least one field in the mappings.

4. Alternatively, choose the Replace option instead of Update, based on your use case. This replaces the selected fields in the target's found set with Dynamics 365 Business Central data in the current record order. Click Import.
👁 Select

5. FileMaker adds the script to the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import query.
6. FileMaker imports the updated or replaced Dynamics 365 Business Central data as a table.

Get Started Today

Download a free 30-day trial of CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central to integrate Dynamics 365 Business Central data into Claris FileMaker and work with Dynamics 365 Business Central data in your FileMaker applications.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.