Create a Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 (or earlier) Data Source with Jet Reports – Support Topics

Setup & Pre-Requirements

You will need the current release of The Jet Excel add-in

Licensing Information:

Jet License Activation Code
Microsoft Dynamics NAV License File (.flf)

Database Information

Server Type (Local, Database Server, or SQL Server)
Authentication Type (Windows or Database)
Server Name or Address
Net Type

Gathering Database Information

You can find your Dynamics NAV configuration information (such as server type, server name, net type, and authentication type) in the NAV classic client.

Open the NAV client and select Database from the File menu and then select Information
If you are using a NAV Server or Local connection, you will find most of the information you need to configure your data source on the Connection tab.

If the Connection is Local, then you want a Local Database.
Item #3

File data source

If the Connection is Server, then you need a Dynamics NAV Database Server data source in Jet Professional. The Server Name and Net Type are also needed to configure your Jet data source.
If you are using a NAV SQL Server, you will find most of the information you need on the Database tab.

You will need the Server Name, Database Name, and Net Type.
If using either NAV-Server or NAV-SQL Server, you need to know what type of authentication you use to access the database.

If you have to type a username/password in each time you open NAV then you are using Database Authentication. You will have to supply your NAV username/password in your Jet data source settings in order to access your NAV data.

If you do not have to type in a username/password each time you open NAV then you are using Windows Authentication. NAV and Jet can use your Windows login credentials to connect.

Installation Steps

Place a copy of your NAV license (.flf) in the local client folder (i.e. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics NAV\Client )

You must rename the license file FIN.FLF
Jet Essentials 2012 R2 or earlier
- Place your Jet license (.jlf) on a network drive or on your local computer.
Jet Essentials 2013 or higher
- ensure that you have Activated your Jet License.
Open Excel, then open the Application Settings from the Jet ribbon
If using Jet Essentials 2012 R2 or earlier
- In the Jet License Folder: section, browse to the network or local folder where you placed your Jet license in Step 2.
Select OK on the Application Settings screen.
Select Data Source Settings form the Jet ribbon
Click the Add button (or, for older versions, select File then New)
Give the data source a unique name.
Make sure the Database Type is set to Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 or earlier (or, for older versions, Navision)

Select OK.
For the Dynamics NAV client folder, browse to your Dynamics NAV client folder (this is the same folder into which you placed your NAV license in Step 1).
If you exported a language module and would like to use it for this data source, specify that folder in the Language module folder: box.

Then, select the same language from the pull-down list.
In the Authentication section, select your authentication type.

If you *do not* have to enter in a user name and password each time you start NAV, you probably use Windows Authentication.

Otherwise, you probably use Database Authentication and need to specify your user name and password in the areas provided.
In the Connection section (named the Connect to section in older versions), specify the server type, then fill in the server name, database name or path, and net type if applicable.
Select a default company from the Company dropdown list.
Select Test Connection at the top of the Data Source Settings screen.

If everything is configured correctly, you should see the Test Connection Succeeded message.

Troubleshooting

You cannot select a default company from the company dropdown

You are unable to connect to the database. Go back through the prior steps and make sure everything is correct.

The message at the bottom of the Data Source Settings says “You are not licensed for this data source” after you’ve completed the setup

Check the License section of the Jet Application Settings to ensure that your Microsoft NAV license number is included on your Jet license. (if using an older version of Jet Essentials, ensure that the Jet License Folder setting is correct)

When you test the connection, you receive the message “The required Navision Client executable (fin.exe) could not be found

Make sure that the Navision Client folder is correct.

When you test the connection, you receive the message: “A Navision license file could not be found in…"

Make sure that you have placed your NAV license in the client folder AND that its name has been changed to “fin.flf”

The message at the bottom of the Data Source Settings says “You are licensed as a Viewer” and you should be licensed as a Designer.

Check with your system administrator.

If your Jet license is set to use your Excel user name, check to make sure that your Excel user name EXACTLY matches your designer name on the Jet License.

If your Jet license is configured to use your Windows login information, ensure that you are listed on your organization's license as a Designer.

Updated May 15, 2024 15:49: Jet Reports Historic Posts