What Is Jet Reports? A Plain Guide for Business Central Users

What is Jet Reports? In one line, it is an Excel add-in that lets finance teams build reports on live data from Microsoft Dynamics, including Business Central, without leaving Excel. This short guide explains what it does, who it suits, and how it differs from the other reporting options you already have.

For the full picture, including costs and alternatives, read our complete guide to Jet Reports.

Jet Reports in one paragraph

insightsoftware, which sells the product, describes Jet Reports as real-time Dynamics reporting directly in Excel. It says the add-in connects live to Dynamics GP, NAV or Business Central, so people build reports with the Excel skills they already have rather than learning a new tool.

The same page lists more than 100 pre-built report templates, drill-down from any number to the transactions behind it, and consolidation across several companies in one report.

Key PointKey point: Jet Reports is a reporting tool, not a data warehouse or a dashboard platform. Its output is an Excel workbook that you refresh.

Who it is for

Jet Reports suits finance teams whose reporting is Excel-shaped: management accounts, board packs and analysis with precise layouts that someone signs off each month. If your team already rebuilds those packs by hand from exported figures, that rework is what an Excel reporting tool is designed to remove.

It suits groups too. Consolidation across companies matters when you run more than one entity and need a single set of figures.

How it differs from your other options

• Business Central's own tools. Microsoft's guide to working with Excel from Business Central describes Open in Excel and Edit in Excel, and notes that the built-in Financial Reporting feature can use Excel templates. For simple statements that may be all you need.
• Power BI. Power BI is for interactive dashboards that blend several data sources. Our guide to Power BI for Business Central explains where it fits.
• Jet Analytics. A separate insightsoftware product. Its Jet Analytics page describes a platform that ingests and models Dynamics data, with pre-built data models called cubes, for Power BI, Excel and other tools.

Pro TipPro tip: Write down which of your monthly reports are dashboards and which are formatted packs. That split usually tells you whether you need Jet Reports, Power BI or neither.

How to find out if it fits

The best test is your own data. Ask for a demo on a copy of your company, rebuild the report the board actually reads, and check every total against Business Central.

insightsoftware does not publish a price, so ask for a written quote covering licences, setup and support. Our guide to what Jet Reports does and what it costs explains what to ask.

Watch OutWatch out: A report that only one person understands is a risk in any tool. Decide who will own and maintain the reports before you buy.

Talk it through

BC Reporting Experts helps UK finance teams choose and set up reporting on Business Central. Our reporting checklist is a good starting point, and you can talk to our team about your own packs. For independent guidance on finance technology, the ICAEW technology resources are a useful reference.