Business Central has a built-in integration with Microsoft Teams that lets users share records in chats, look up contacts, and access BC data without switching applications. The integration does not require any custom development, it uses the official Business Central app for Microsoft Teams, published by Microsoft.
This guide covers how to install the app, how to use it in chats and channels, and what your users need to get the most out of it.
Install the Business Central App in Teams
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- In the left sidebar, select the Apps icon (or go to Apps at the bottom of the sidebar).
- Search for Business Central.
- Select the app published by Microsoft Corporation.
- Select Add to install it for yourself, or Add to a team to make it available in a specific team.
Once installed, the Business Central personal app appears in your Teams sidebar. You can pin it for faster access by right-clicking the icon and selecting Pin.
Share Business Central Records in Chats
When you paste a Business Central record link into a Teams chat or channel, Teams automatically expands it into a card showing the record details. This works for customers, vendors, items, sales orders, and most other BC record types.
- In Business Central, open any record, for example, a Customer Card.
- Copy the URL from the browser address bar.
- Paste the URL into a Teams chat or channel message.
- Teams detects the BC link and shows a card preview with key fields from the record.
- Select Details on the card to expand more fields without leaving Teams.
Recipients who have a Business Central license and access to that record will see the full card. Users without a BC license see a limited view and are prompted to sign in or get a license.
Add a Business Central Tab to a Teams Channel
Teams channels support tabs that embed external applications. You can add a Business Central page as a tab in any channel.
- Open the Teams channel where you want to add the tab.
- Select the + icon next to the tab row at the top of the channel.
- Search for Business Central and select the app.
- Sign in if prompted.
- Choose the BC environment and the page or report you want to embed.
- Give the tab a name and select Save.
The tab loads the Business Central page inside Teams. Users can work directly in the embedded view, entering data, running reports, or navigating within that section of BC. Full functionality depends on the page type and the user’s BC permissions.
Search for Contacts from Teams
The Business Central Teams app supports contact search from the Teams compose box.
- In any Teams chat, select the … (More options) icon or the Messaging extensions button in the compose toolbar.
- Select Business Central.
- Type a customer or contact name to search.
- Select a result to insert a contact card into your message.
This is useful when discussing a customer with a colleague, instead of describing who you mean, you can share the full contact card directly in the chat.
Use the Business Central Personal App
The Business Central personal app in Teams provides access to your BC Role Center without opening a browser.
- Select Business Central from the Teams sidebar.
- Sign in if prompted.
- Use the app to navigate BC pages, open records, and perform tasks as you would in the browser.
The personal app is the same interface as the browser version. It does not have feature limitations compared to the browser. Some users find it more convenient to keep Teams open as their primary workspace and access BC through the sidebar app rather than switching between browser tabs.
License and Access Requirements
| Feature | BC License Required | Teams License Required |
|---|---|---|
| View record card (full details) | Yes | Yes |
| View record card (limited preview) | No | Yes |
| Business Central tab in channel | Yes | Yes |
| Personal app | Yes | Yes |
| Contact search via messaging extension | Yes | Yes |
Users without a Business Central license can see that a record was shared in a chat, but they will not see the full field details. For the tab and personal app, a valid BC license is required.
If your organisation uses guest accounts in Teams, note that guest users cannot access the BC tab or personal app unless they also have a BC license assigned.
To manage BC user permissions and license assignments, see How to Configure Security Groups in Business Central.