Query Dynamics 365 Business Central Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to Dynamics 365 Business Central data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Dynamics 365 Business Central in Connect and work with live Dynamics 365 Business Central data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Dynamics 365 Business Central Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "Dynamics 365 Business Central" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Dynamics 365 Business Central.

   To authenticate to Dynamics 365 Business Central, you must provide the User and AccessKey properties.

   To obtain the User and AccessKey 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 User and AccessKey connection string properties. Note that the User Name is not your email address. It is a shortened user name.

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

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to Dynamics 365 Business Central from MySQL Workbench.

Query Dynamics 365 Business Central from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual Dynamics 365 Business Central database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live Dynamics 365 Business Central data.

Connect to Dynamics 365 Business Central through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query Dynamics 365 Business Central Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Dynamics 365 Business Central data, like SELECT * FROM d365businesscentraldb.Accounts;

With access to live Dynamics 365 Business Central data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update Dynamics 365 Business Central, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with Dynamics 365 Business Central just like a MySQL database today.