Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting Documentation
Index

Installation

This guide walks you through the process of installing Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting in your Business Central environment.

Installing from AppSource (Online)

Step 1: Access the Extension Marketplace

  1. Sign in to your Business Central environment
  2. Click the Search icon (magnifying glass) or press Alt+Q
  3. Type "Extension Marketplace" and select it from the results

Step 2: Find Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting

  1. In the Extension Marketplace, search for "Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting" (also found as "Advanced Financial Reporting")
  2. Look for the extension published by Hougaard
  3. Click on the extension to view details

Step 3: Install the Extension

  1. Click the Free trial or Get it now button
  2. Review the permissions requested by the extension
  3. Select the environment(s) where you want to install
  4. Click Install

AppSource installs the two Hougaard apps this extension depends on — AL Compiler and Interpreter and AL AI Services — automatically alongside it.

Step 4: Wait for Installation

  • The installation process typically takes 1-5 minutes
  • You can check the installation status in Extension Management
  • The extension will appear as "Installed" when complete

Installing On-Premises

Prerequisites

  • Business Central Server 28.x.x.x (2026 release wave 1) or later
  • Administrator access to the Business Central server
  • The .app file for Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting
  • The two Hougaard dependency apps, published and installed first: AL Compiler and Interpreter (5.x.x.x) and AL AI Services (5.x.x.x). Use compatible updates from Hougaard; the package carries the exact dependency requirements.

The app's name in Business Central is Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting. The commands below read its identity and exact version from the supplied package, so they work across updates without editing a version number.

Step 1: Obtain the App Files

Contact Hougaard at sales@hougaard.com to obtain the .app files for on-premises installation (the product app and its two dependency apps).

Step 2: Publish the Extension

Using PowerShell with the Business Central Administration Shell, after the dependency apps are published and installed, set your server instance and the actual path of the downloaded package. Run the remaining steps in the same PowerShell session:

$afrServerInstance = 'BC'
$afrPackagePath = 'C:\Apps\AdvancedSpreadsheetsAndReporting.app'
$afrPackage = Get-NAVAppInfo -Path $afrPackagePath
Publish-NAVApp -ServerInstance $afrServerInstance -Path $afrPackagePath

Step 3: Sync the Extension

Sync-NAVApp -ServerInstance $afrServerInstance -Name $afrPackage.Name -Version $afrPackage.Version

Step 4: Install the Extension

Install-NAVApp -ServerInstance $afrServerInstance -Name $afrPackage.Name -Version $afrPackage.Version

Verifying Installation

After installation, verify that Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting is working:

  1. Go to Extension Management (search for it)
  2. Find "Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting" in the list
  3. Confirm the status shows Installed
  4. Check the version number matches your expected version

Post-Installation Steps

After successful installation:

  1. Register your license - See Registration & Licensing
  2. Assign permissions - See Permissions Setup
  3. Configure initial settings - See Initial Configuration

Updating the Extension

Online (AppSource)

Updates are delivered automatically through AppSource. When an update is available:

  1. Go to Extension Management
  2. Find Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting
  3. If an update is available, click Update

On-Premises

For on-premises installations, follow these steps:

  1. Download the new .app file and any required dependency updates.
  2. Repeat Step 2: Publish the Extension, setting the path to the new package so $afrPackage holds its identity and version.
  3. Repeat Step 3: Sync the Extension with that package.
  4. Upgrade the installed extension using the command below in the same session:
Start-NAVAppDataUpgrade -ServerInstance $afrServerInstance -Name $afrPackage.Name -Version $afrPackage.Version

Uninstalling the Extension

If you need to uninstall Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting:

  1. Go to Extension Management
  2. Find "Advanced Spreadsheets and Reporting"
  3. Click Uninstall

Warning: Business Central keeps the extension's data when you uninstall, unless you choose to delete extension data or unpublish the app. That data includes spreadsheet documents, templates, scenarios, sheet permissions and agent skills as well as indicator definitions and print job configurations — deleting it is irreversible.

Troubleshooting Installation

Extension Not Appearing

  • Wait a few minutes and refresh the page
  • Check Extension Management for any error messages
  • Verify your user has sufficient permissions

Installation Fails

  • Review the error message in Extension Management
  • Ensure your Business Central version meets minimum requirements
  • Contact support@hougaard.com with the error details

Permission Errors

  • Ensure you have administrator rights
  • Check that the AFR_Hgd permission set is available
  • See Permissions Setup for details