Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Release 1 version 26.0

A smarter approach to data, automation, and reporting

With the release of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central version 26.0, Microsoft introduces a strategic evolution in ERP capabilities—placing a stronger focus on intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and modern reporting frameworks. This release redefines how companies manage core business processes such as finance, operations, and supply chain, while simultaneously driving improvements in sustainability, extensibility, and user-driven customization.

One of the key highlights of this release is the transition from traditional reporting formats—including RDLC and Excel-based layouts that required custom AL or VBA code—toward interactive, Power BI–driven experiences. This shift not only aligns with Microsoft’s vision for long-term scalability and usability, but also empowers business users to take more control of their data and insights without deep technical involvement.

Key Highlights and Enhancements

Deprecation of Legacy Reports

Legacy reports, such as Balance Sheets, Income Statements, and Aged Receivables/Payables, that were previously created using Excel or RDLC with code dependencies are being phased out.

• These reports are now marked as obsolete and are scheduled for full removal by 2026.

• Organizations should begin transitioning to Power BI or Excel layout alternatives.

  
  

Power BI Embedded Experiences

Business Central now includes seven built-in Power BI apps, each targeting a key operational area:

• Finance

• Sales

• Purchasing

• Inventory

• Projects

• Manufacturing

• CRM

  
  

These applications enable richer data exploration, KPI visualization, and real-time decision support—without needing to leave the Business Central environment.

Excel Layout Enhancements

End users can now build and modify report layouts with drag-and-drop functionality, reducing the need for developer support and making custom reporting more accessible across teams.

Page-Level Analytics and Querying

List and query pages have been enhanced to support:

• Inline data analysis without requiring exports

• Dynamic pivoting and filtering

• Role-based insights across key functional areas

  
  

Integrated Report Explorer

A new Report Explorer UI improves report discoverability by categorizing them by business function, helping users locate the right information faster.

Seamless Data Export

Enhanced export capabilities now support maintaining full layout fidelity when exporting to Excel or PDF—ensuring compliance with regulatory and audit standards.

Why It Matters

This release is part of a larger initiative by Microsoft to enable businesses to work smarter and more autonomously by removing friction from key workflows. With AI-powered agents on the horizon, deeper platform integrations, and advanced analytics, organizations now have tools to gain insight, automate processes, and scale more intelligently.

Next Steps

Whether you're just beginning your transition to modern ERP tools or are planning how to adopt the latest features, understanding the impact of Release Wave 1 will help you prepare.

Explore the full release documentation or speak with our experts to plan your next steps.

For more information watch this content

Source: Microsoft