Business Central access with Microsoft 365 licences
Article
Business Central users are assigned a Dynamics 365 Business Central licence that allows them to view, modify and act on their business data from any user interface. For all other employees across the organisation that only need to occasionally view data, Business Central offers access through Microsoft 365.
When an organisation has both a Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft 365 subscription, administrators can configure environments to enable access with Microsoft 365 licences, and choose exactly which tables and other objects this category of user will have access to. When configured, employees that have a Microsoft 365 licence but no Business Central licence can view Business Central records that are shared with them in Microsoft Teams chat and channels.
Why enable access with Microsoft 365 licences
Unlock master data that every employee across the organisation should have access to.
Empower departments that don’t run on Business Central to self-serve, by accessing key data needed to successfully perform their tasks, eliminating the need for continually requesting data from others.
Increase collaboration efficacy so that tasks and projects that span across departments complete on time, by eliminating the friction that is typically associated with access denied errors due to licensing.
Increase team performance so that people can make data-driven decisions that are inclusive of everyone in the group, even if they don’t work in Business Central.
Meet licensing budget targets by assigning licences that progressively match employee needs, with Microsoft 365 licences for read-only access, Dynamics 365 Business Central Team Member licences for limited write access, and Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials or Premium for full write access.
Improve data security by reducing the need for pasting screen snippets of business data outside of data governance boundaries.
Use rights
When a person accesses Business Central with a Microsoft 365 license, the license entitles the user to read (but not write) Business Central data through a simplified user interface in Microsoft Teams. This section explains these use rights and limitations that help you plan how to configure and make the most out of this capability. For more information on this licence type compared to other Business Central licences, consult the Dynamics 365 licensing guide.
Client access
Users are entitled to access Business Central data in Microsoft Teams. The following table summarises which of the different methods of accessing the Business Central service are allowed with this licence.
Client accessing the Business Central service
Access
Business Central app for Microsoft Teams
Business Central Web client
Business Central mobile apps
Business Central APIs
Business Central integrations with other Office applications
Business Central embedded in any other applications
Data access
Users are entitled to read table data but can't modify, create or delete records. The Business Central platform automatically prevents writing to any data tables.
Use of objects
Access with Microsoft 365 licences doesn't restrict which Business Central objects or object ranges can be accessed. Users are entitled to access the Microsoft base application and any extensions such as customisations and add-on apps.
Simplified user interface
Users are entitled to a reduced set of features and functions provided by Business Central in Microsoft Teams. The tables below indicate noteworthy features. This isn't an exhaustive list and is subject to change.
Features of the Business Central app for Teams:
Feature
Available
View Business Central cards
View card details
Pin card details as a tab
View Business Central tabs
Add a Business Central tab
Search for business contacts
Paste and share a link preview as a card
Functions of the Business Central client embedded in Teams:
Function
Available
Example functions
Data manipulation system actions
Edit, Create, Delete
Basic functions in lists
Search, sort, change layout
Advanced functions in lists
Filter pane, views
Drill down from list to card
Access data from related tables
FactBox pane, field drilldown, peek, look up
Actions
Action bar, action menus, page notification actions
System-wide shortcuts
My Settings, Role Explorer, Tell Me search
Copy
Copy rows, copy field value, copy link to page
UI customisation
Personalise
Inline customisation
Resize column, Expand/Collapse, Show more
Data sharing
Open or Edit in Excel, Share to Teams
Inline user assistance
Tooltips, links to documentation
Advanced user assistance
Page and field teaching tips, Help pane
Minimum requirements
This section describes the minimum requirements that must be met for your organisation to enable access with Microsoft 365 licences, and for individual Microsoft Teams users to access Business Central data without a Business Central licence.
Requirements to enable access
Business Central online (SaaS).
Requirements for individual users to access data in Teams
Data must be accessed using the Business Central app for Teams. Users must have the Business Central app for Teams installed and must use one of the supported Teams clients. Get a list of Teams clients supported by Business Central in Minimum Requirements for Using Business Central.
Users must be internal to the organisation, meaning that a user identity originates from the same home tenant where Business Central is deployed and where access is enabled. External identities aren't supported. Business Central automatically prevents access to guests.
Users must be assigned a Microsoft 365 licence from one of the following plans.
Supported plan
Product ID
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
3b555118-da6a-4418-894f-7df1e2096870
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
f245ecc8-75af-4f8e-b61f-27d8114de5f3
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
cbdc14ab-d96c-4c30-b9f4-6ada7cdc1d46
Microsoft 365 E3
05e9a617-0261-4cee-bb44-138d3ef5d965
Microsoft 365 E5
06ebc4ee-1bb5-47dd-8120-11324bc54e06
Microsoft 365 F1
50f60901-3181-4b75-8a2c-4c8e4c1d5a72
Microsoft 365 F3
66b55226-6b4f-492c-910c-a3b7a3c9d993
Office 365 E1
18181a46-0d4e-45cd-891e-60aabd171b4e
Office 365 E2
6634e0ce-1a9f-428c-a498-f84ec7b8aa2e
Office 365 E3
6fd2c87f-b296-42f0-b197-1e91e994b900
Office 365 E5
c7df2760-2c81-4ef7-b578-5b5392b571df
Office 365 F2
131fd665-5752-4995-a628-bcba5c889745
Office 365 F3
4b585984-651b-448a-9e53-3b10f069cf7f
Microsoft Teams Essentials (Microsoft Entra Identity)
3ab6abff-666f-4424-bfb7-f0bc274ec7bc
Microsoft Teams EEA
7e74bd05-2c47-404e-829a-ba95c66fe8e5
Most offers based on these plans are also supported. For example, if you subscribe to Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Nonprofit Staff Pricing), it's a specific offer for not-for-profit organisations based on the Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan, and is therefore supported.
Note
Can't find your plan in the list? Microsoft is continually looking for feedback on how we can improve our service and expand our offering so that more customers can take advantage of this capability. Share your idea for which plans we should support next at https://aka.ms/bcIdeas.
Users must be assigned a Microsoft 365 licence that has the Microsoft Teams app enabled in the list of apps for that licence.
Supported apps
Service Plan ID
Microsoft Teams
57ff2da0-773e-42df-b2af-ffb7a2317929
The organisation must have at least one other user that is assigned a Dynamics 365 Business Central licence.
Next steps
Get an understanding of the user access flow to help plan your approach and configuration of Business Central to match the business needs. Learn more in User Access Flow.
As a functional consultant, you implement core application setup processes for small and medium businesses. You configure the application in collaboration with the implementation team to provide the business with manageability and ease of use.