Use the CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics NAV in Microsoft Power Query

The CData ODBC Driver for Dynamics NAV enables you to link to Dynamics NAV data in Microsoft Power Query, ensuring that you see any updates. This article details how to use the ODBC driver to import Dynamics NAV data into Microsoft Power Query.

Connect to Dynamics NAV as an ODBC Data Source

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

Before you can connect, OData Services will need to be enabled on the server. Once OData Services are enabled, you will be able to query any Services that are published on the server.

The User and Password properties, under the Authentication section, must be set to valid Dynamics NAV user credentials. In addition, you will need to specify a URL to a valid Dynamics NAV server organization root and a ServerInstance. If there is not a Service Default Company for the server, you will need to set the Company as well.

Import Dynamics NAV Data

Follow the steps below to import Dynamics NAV data using standard SQL:

1. From the ribbon in Excel, click Power Query -> From Other Data Sources -> From ODBC.

2. Enter the ODBC connection string. Below is a connection string using the default DSN created when you install the driver: Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;DSN=CData DynamicsNAV Source

3. Enter the SELECT statement to import data with. For example:

   SELECT Name, Prices_Including_VAT FROM Customer

4. Enter credentials, if required, and click Connect. The results of the query are displayed in the Query Editor Preview. You can combine queries from other data sources or refine the data with Power Query formulas. To load the query to the worksheet, click the Close and Load button.