How to Easily Query Dynamics 365 Business Central Data in OpenOffice Base

Apache OpenOffice Base is a versatile, free database tool that makes connecting and managing data easy. With CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can seamlessly integrate and query live Dynamics 365 Business Central data, bringing real-time insights directly into OpenOffice.

This guide simplifies the setup, showing you how to connect Dynamics 365 Business Central to OpenOffice Base so you can easily generate reports, analyze trends, and make informed decisions right within your familiar workspace.

Overview

Here is an overview of the steps:

1. CONFIGURE: Configure the DSN for Dynamics 365 Business Central data in the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central, using the required connection properties.
2. CONNECT: Set up the ODBC connection in OpenOffice Base using the configured DSN.
3. IMPORT: Once connected, review the available metadata and tables.
4. CREATE: Create a report based on the queried Dynamics 365 Business Central data data.

Configure the Dynamics 365 Business Central DSN Using the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central

To start, configure the DSN (Data Source Name) for Dynamics 365 Business Central data in your system using the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central. Download and install a 30-day free trial with all the features from here.

Once installed, launch the ODBC Data Source Administrator:

• On Windows: Search for ODBC Data Source Administrator in the Start menu and open the application.
• On Mac: Open Applications, go to Utilities, and select ODBC Manager.
• On Linux: Use the command line to launch ODBC Data Source Administrator or use unixODBC if installed.

👁 ODBC Data Source Administrator

Once launched, double-click on the CData Dynamics 365 Business Central data Source and enter the required values to establish a connection:

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.

👁 Configuring a DSN (Salesforce is shown)

Setup an ODBC Connection in OpenOffice Base

Once you've set up the DSN, it's time to connect to it in OpenOffice Base and start querying data:

• Launch OpenOffice Base and select Database from the home screen.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Homescreen

• In the Database Wizard, choose ODBC from the 'Connect to an existing database' option and click Next.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Database Wizard

• Click Browse to locate and select the DSN you created, then click OK.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base DSN (Salesforce is shown)

• Enter the username associated with the DSN, click Test Connection to verify, and then click Next.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Database Wizard (Salesforce details are shown)

• Finally, click Finish to save the new database file to your desired directory. This will connect OpenOffice Base to your live Dynamics 365 Business Central data data, ready for querying and analysis.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Database Save File

Your connection is now established — ready to query and analyze data seamlessly within OpenOffice Base.

Review the Metadata and Tables

After the database file is created and the connection is established, the table list will automatically display all available Dynamics 365 Business Central data objects.

• Review the Dynamics 365 Business Central data Object List: In the left pane, click on Tables to view the Dynamics 365 Business Central data objects now available within OpenOffice Base.
• View Object Data: Click on any object to view its contents. The Dynamics 365 Business Central data data will display directly within OpenOffice Base, allowing you to review records and fields with ease.

👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Metadata (Salesforce data is shown)

That's it! You have now successfully established a connection to Dynamics 365 Business Central data in OpenOffice Base, with data readily available for analysis and reporting.

Create a Report

Now, let's generate a report based on your Dynamics 365 Business Central data data.

• Open your database and go to the Reports tab, then select Create Report Using Wizard.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Report Screen

• In the Report Wizard, choose the Dynamics 365 Business Central data table from the Table or Query section. Select the columns from Available Fields that you want to include in your report and move them to the Fields in Report section using the arrows.
👁 Apache OpenOffice Base Report Table Objects (Salesforce is shown)

• After configuring the fields, click Finish to generate your report.
👁 Publishing Apache OpenOffice Base Report (with Salesforce data)

• Analyze, adjust, save, and publish the report as needed.

Your report is now created, drawing live data directly from Dynamics 365 Business Central data, and ready for analysis.

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