How to Query Live Dynamics 365 Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Yazhini G
Technical Marketing Engineer

Connect to and query live Dynamics 365 Data in Perplexity Desktop using the CData MCP Server.

Perplexity is an AI-powered research and answer engine that allows users to combine web search, structured data, and connected tools through a unified conversational interface. With Perplexity Desktop for macOS, users can bring local tools and data sources directly into their workflow using MCP, enabling fast, context-aware insights powered by live data.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging, open-source standard for connecting LLMs with external services and enterprise data sources. Using MCP Servers, AI clients such as Perplexity Desktop can securely interact with applications and data, performing actions, retrieving live information, and enabling natural language access to data.

In this article, we guide you through installing the CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365, configuring the connection to Dynamics 365, and interacting with your live Dynamics 365 data from Perplexity Desktop.

About Dynamics 365 Data Integration

CData simplifies access and integration of live Microsoft Dynamics 365 data. Our customers leverage CData connectivity to:

Read and write data in the full Dynamics 365 ecosystem: Sales, Customer Service, Finance & Operations, Marketing, and more.
Extend the native features of Dynamics CRM with customizable caching and intelligent query aggregation and separation.
Authenticate securely with Dynamics 365 in a variety of ways, including Azure Active Directory, Azure Managed Service Identity credentials, and Azure Service Principal using either a client secret or a certificate.
Use SQL stored procedures to manage their Dynamics 365 entities - listing, creating, and removing associations between entities.

CData customers use our Dynamics 365 connectivity solutions for a variety of reasons, whether they're looking to replicate their data into a data warehouse (alongside other data sources) or analyze live Dynamics 365 data from their preferred data tools inside the Microsoft ecosystem (Power BI, Excel, etc.) or with external tools (Tableau, Looker, etc.).

Getting Started

Step 1: Download and install the CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365

To begin, download the CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365
Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
Drag the CData MCP Server app into the Applications folder

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure your MCP Server by connecting to Dynamics 365.

NOTE: Since you downloaded the application from the internet and not the Apple App Store, you may see a warning that the application was not opened because Apple could not verify its security. You may continue with the installation.

Installing a trusted, unverified App

CData's solutions are trusted across the globe by some of the largest software vendors in the world. That said, if you have any concerns about continuing, please consult with your IT and/or security team.

In the warning message that pops up, click "Done"
Open "System Settings" on your machine and navigate to the "Privacy & Security" page

Scroll down to the "Security" section and click "Open Anyway"
Authorize the installation (passkey or password)

Step 2: Configure the Connection to Dynamics 365

After installation, you can open the CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365 from the Applications folder on your mac
Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration"
Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_dynamics365") and click "OK"
Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

Edition and OrganizationUrl are required connection properties. The Dynamics 365 connector supports connecting to the following editions: CustomerService, FieldService, FinOpsOnline, FinOpsOnPremise, HumanResources, Marketing, ProjectOperations and Sales.

For Dynamics 365 Business Central, use the separate Dynamics 365 Business Central driver.

OrganizationUrl is the URL to your Dynamics 365 organization. For instance, https://orgcb42e1d0.crm.dynamics.com
Click "Connect" to authenticate with Dynamics 365 through OAuth.
Click "Save Configuration" to save the MCP server

With your MCP Server configured, you are ready to connect it to Perplexity Desktop.

Step 3: Connect the MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
Open Settings > Connectors. If the Perplexity Helper App is not installed, you will be prompted to download it. Install the Helper App, then restart Perplexity Desktop
After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector

Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData Dynamics 365 MCP"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to your MCP Server executable.

For example:

	/Applications/CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
	-jar /Applications/CData MCP Server for Dynamics 365.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.dynamics365.jar \
	cdata_dynamics365

Click Save. Your MCP Server should now appear in the connector list with a "Running" status

Step 4: Query Your Live Dynamics 365 data in Perplexity Desktop

Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable your MCP Server
Start asking questions about your Dynamics 365 data. For example:
"List all the tables available in my Dynamics 365 data connection."

Connect your AI to your Dynamics 365 data today!

CData MCP Servers make it simple to connect Perplexity and other LLM clients to real-time enterprise data. Download a free, 30-day trial and join the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and help shape the future of enterprise-ready AI.