---
id: video/fy96_jdL1PQ
type: video
title: "Episode 520: Reports, Dashboards, and Scorecards: A Complete Guide to Reporting in Business Central"
summary: "Business Central reporting options discussed on Dynamics Corner episode 520: analysis mode, Power BI (data models, dashboards, scorecards), and Word, Excel and RDLC layouts. It also covers case-based training and the planned RDLC phase-out for standard reports in versions 27 and 28."
tier: community
language: en
tags:
  - reporting capabilities
  - training strategy
  - user adoption
  - learning management
  - case-based training
  - implementation strategy
  - reporting technologies
  - analysis mode
  - power bi
  - dashboards
  - scorecards
  - data modeling
system: reporting
review:
  state: reviewed
  by: opus
  at: "2026-10-07T23:20:07.413Z"
  flags: []
generated:
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    title: "Episode 520: Reports, Dashboards, and Scorecards: A Complete Guide to Reporting in Business Central"
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    t: 416
    quote: it's been uh PowerBI and also all of the new bells and whistles that we almost see in the in the product quite a
  - kind: video
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    title: "Episode 520: Reports, Dashboards, and Scorecards: A Complete Guide to Reporting in Business Central"
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    commit: null
    t: 478
    quote: business central they announced uh during the keynotes at the conferences that business central I think is over 55,000 implementations now
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    quote: training isn't only about um transferring knowledge and skills but also making it really applicable in in the real world
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    quote: more than 50% assignments within also the solution and help of the instructor of support afterwards
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    title: "Episode 520: Reports, Dashboards, and Scorecards: A Complete Guide to Reporting in Business Central"
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    commit: null
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    quote: it's part of the the project the project plan but usually it comes right before or right after the the go live
links:
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  features:
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  topics: []
  localizations: []
  videos: []
  posts: []
  guidelines: []
video_id: fy96_jdL1PQ
channel: yt-dynamicscorner
source_name: Dynamics Corner podcast
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ
published_at: "2026-06-03T22:37:49.000Z"
duration_s: 3201
captions: derived
audience:
  - functional consultant
  - developer
  - administrator
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chapters:
  - t: 0
    title: Introduction to reporting capabilities in Business Central
  - t: 102
    title: Personal context and recent conference activity
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    title: "Guest introduction: Steven Henders and reporting background"
  - t: 448
    title: Business Central adoption and training needs
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    title: Training strategy and real-life case-based learning
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    title: Avoiding unnecessary customizations through early training
  - t: 1026
    title: Training methods and mix of learning approaches
  - t: 1148
    title: Continuous learning and ongoing training strategies
  - t: 1287
    title: Documentation and standard operating procedures
  - t: 1374
    title: Evolution of reporting technologies in Business Central
  - t: 1538
    title: Requirements-driven approach to reporting solutions
  - t: 1679
    title: Choosing the right reporting tool
  - t: 1743
    title: Report types and when to use them
  - t: 1830
    title: PowerBI data modeling and visualizations
  - t: 1931
    title: Query APIs and embedding PowerBI in Business Central
  - t: 2058
    title: Data integration from multiple systems
  - t: 2187
    title: PowerBI reports, dashboards, and refresh rates
  - t: 2315
    title: PowerBI scorecards and historical tracking
  - t: 2400
    title: Need for real-world use cases and story-driven education
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    title: Story-driven sessions and practical examples
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    title: "Report layout evolution: RDLC, Word, and Excel"
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    title: Layout capabilities and RDLC phase-out strategy
  - t: 2895
    title: Out-of-box report layouts and US check formatting
  - t: 3043
    title: Preparing for RDLC retirement and future outlook
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  - name: Analysis views on list pages
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    status_source: video
  - name: RDLC reports and layouts
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    status_source: video
  - name: PowerBI integration and reporting
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    status_source: video
  - name: PowerBI Data Modeling
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    status_source: video
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  - name: PowerBI Scorecards
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    verified: false
    status_source: video
  - name: Scorecards with conditional formatting
    status: unclear
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    verified: false
    status_source: video
  - name: PowerBI snapshots for tracking over time
    status: unclear
    t: 2362
    verified: false
    status_source: video
  - name: Excel Co-pilot
    status: unclear
    t: 1596
    verified: false
    status_source: video
  - name: Report Object with Multiple Layouts
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objects_mentioned:
  - other report objects
  - other RDL layouts
  - report RDLC reports
  - other report object
  - other analysis views on list pages
  - table item ledger entry
quotes:
  - t: 416
    text: it's been uh PowerBI and also all of the new bells and whistles that we almost see in the in the product quite a
    check: exact
  - t: 478
    text: business central they announced uh during the keynotes at the conferences that business central I think is over 55,000 implementations now
    check: exact
  - t: 591
    text: training isn't only about um transferring knowledge and skills but also making it really applicable in in the real world
    check: exact
  - t: 631
    text: more than 50% assignments within also the solution and help of the instructor of support afterwards
    check: exact
  - t: 782
    text: it's part of the the project the project plan but usually it comes right before or right after the the go live
    check: exact
---

# Episode 520: Reports, Dashboards, and Scorecards: A Complete Guide to Reporting in Business Central

> Business Central reporting options discussed on Dynamics Corner episode 520: analysis mode, Power BI (data models, dashboards, scorecards), and Word, Excel and RDLC layouts. It also covers case-based training and the planned RDLC phase-out for standard reports in versions 27 and 28.

[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ) · Dynamics Corner podcast · 2026-06-03 · 53:21 · tier community · reviewed (checked by Opus)

## Overview

The episode is a conversation with guest Steven Henders. It starts with training for Business Central: case-based learning, starting training in the analysis or fit-gap phase, a mix of learning methods, and a fixed-fee continuous learning subscription.

The second half covers reporting. It begins with choosing a tool from the requirements, then analysis mode on list pages, Excel export with Copilot, and Power BI data models, query APIs, embedding, dashboards and scorecards. It ends with report layouts: RDLC, Word and Excel, the Word add-in under development, and the move of standard reports away from RDLC.

## Key points

- Choose a reporting tool from the requirements first; the speaker says the tool matters less than understanding what is needed.
- Analysis mode on list pages lets key users and end users build aggregated views and drill down without Power BI, but users need to be shown how to use it. From Business Central 2026 wave 1, developers can include analysis views in extensions.
- Power BI dashboards show data as it currently is in the data model. Scheduled refresh frequency (once, 8 or 48 times per day) depends on the license.
- For Power BI data, the speaker prefers query APIs over page APIs because queries can pre-aggregate data. With a property set, query APIs can be found via Tell Me and opened in analysis mode.
- Power BI scorecards take scheduled snapshots of metrics to track them over time, for example vendor and customer scorecards, with conditional formatting against targets. Reports, dashboards and scorecards can be embedded in Business Central.
- RDLC's latest official version dates from 2016, with little official support since. Microsoft is moving standard out-of-box reports to Word or Excel layouts starting in version 27 and continuing in 28. The speaker expects US check reports to stay RDLC.
- Word layouts are easier to create than RDLC but are weaker on conditional visibility and formatting. A Word add-in from Microsoft is gaining functionality (for example blank zero) to close that gap.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=0s) Introduction to reporting capabilities in Business Central
- [1:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=102s) Personal context and recent conference activity
- [5:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=317s) Guest introduction: Steven Henders and reporting background
- [7:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=448s) Business Central adoption and training needs
- [8:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=534s) Training strategy and real-life case-based learning
- [11:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=683s) Training timing and specialized functional learning
- [14:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=888s) Avoiding unnecessary customizations through early training
- [17:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1026s) Training methods and mix of learning approaches
- [19:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1148s) Continuous learning and ongoing training strategies
- [21:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1287s) Documentation and standard operating procedures
- [22:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1374s) Evolution of reporting technologies in Business Central
- [25:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1538s) Requirements-driven approach to reporting solutions
- [27:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1679s) Choosing the right reporting tool
- [29:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1743s) Report types and when to use them
- [30:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1830s) PowerBI data modeling and visualizations
- [32:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1931s) Query APIs and embedding PowerBI in Business Central
- [34:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2058s) Data integration from multiple systems
- [36:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2187s) PowerBI reports, dashboards, and refresh rates
- [38:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2315s) PowerBI scorecards and historical tracking
- [40:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2400s) Need for real-world use cases and story-driven education
- [41:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2485s) Story-driven sessions and practical examples
- [43:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2631s) Report layout evolution: RDLC, Word, and Excel
- [46:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2760s) Layout capabilities and RDLC phase-out strategy
- [48:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2895s) Out-of-box report layouts and US check formatting
- [50:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=3043s) Preparing for RDLC retirement and future outlook

## Features

| Feature | Status | At |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple report layouts | status not stated | [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=0s) |
| Analysis views on list pages | status not stated, demoed | [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=0s) |
| RDLC reports and layouts | status not stated | [0:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=30s) |
| PowerBI integration and reporting | status not stated | [6:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=416s) |
| PowerBI Data Modeling | status not stated | [30:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1830s) |
| Query APIs for PowerBI | status not stated | [31:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1914s) |
| PowerBI Embedded in Business Central | status not stated | [32:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1959s) |
| PowerBI Multi-System Data Integration | status not stated | [35:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2127s) |
| PowerBI Dashboards | status not stated | [37:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2230s) |
| PowerBI Scorecards | status not stated | [38:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2315s) |
| Scorecards with conditional formatting | status not stated | [39:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2351s) |
| PowerBI snapshots for tracking over time | status not stated | [39:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2362s) |
| Excel Co-pilot | status not stated, demoed | [26:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1596s) |
| Report Object with Multiple Layouts | status not stated | [29:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1743s) |
| Word report layouts | status not stated | [46:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2798s) |
| Excel report layouts | status not stated | [44:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2662s) |
| Word Central addin for report layouts | generally available (roadmap [Use conditional visibility in the updated Word add-in](../features/573329.md)) | [46:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2817s) |
| RDLC phase-out for standard reports | status not stated | [48:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2881s) |

A status with a roadmap link comes from the Microsoft 365 roadmap feature this part of the video covers (matched by Haiku; links Opus dropped are not used); other statuses need a status word in the video itself.

## AL objects mentioned

As heard in the captions. A name that matches one object page by exact type and name links to it; the others stay as named.

- other "report objects" at [6:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=416s)
- other "RDL layouts" at [6:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=416s)
- report "RDLC reports" at [23:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1438s)
- other "report object" at [23:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1438s)
- other "analysis views on list pages" at [24:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1475s)
- [table 32 "Item Ledger Entry"](../objects/table/32.md) at [33:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1988s)

Not found in BC28-30: report "RDLC reports".

## Quotes

- [6:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=416s) "it's been uh PowerBI and also all of the new bells and whistles that we almost see in the in the product quite a"
- [7:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=478s) "business central they announced uh during the keynotes at the conferences that business central I think is over 55,000 implementations now"
- [9:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=591s) "training isn't only about um transferring knowledge and skills but also making it really applicable in in the real world"
- [10:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=631s) "more than 50% assignments within also the solution and help of the instructor of support afterwards"
- [13:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=782s) "it's part of the the project the project plan but usually it comes right before or right after the the go live"

## Disclaimers in the video

- [28:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=1723s) preview: develop analysis views or or modes that you can uh include in extensions that you develop which is almost like ...
- [45:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2737s) subject-to-change: RDLC has no official support since 2016 and is being phased out
- [47:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2830s) coming-later: Word addin will get more functionality including conditional visibility and conditional formatting
- [48:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2881s) coming-later: RDLC will be obsoleted at some point
- [48:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy96_jdL1PQ&t=2905s) coming-later: Out-of-box reports in version 27-28 are being moved to Word and Excel layouts instead of RDLC

Presenters (as heard): Chris, Brad, Steven Henders, Stephen, Bernie, Steven.