Maximising Jet Reports for Effective Excel Reporting from Dynamics ERP
- onpoint ltd
- 3 minutes ago
- 7 min read
If your finance team spends hours manually exporting data from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or NAV just to build reports in Excel, you're working harder than necessary. Jet Reports bridges this gap by letting you pull live ERP data directly into Excel. But here's the catch: without proper training, most teams barely scratch the surface of what this tool can do.
That's where Jet Reports training comes in. Whether you're a finance manager building monthly board reports or a BI consultant implementing reporting solutions, the right training program can transform how your organization handles data. Let's break down your options.
Jet Reports landing page showcasing Excel-based reporting capabilities.
What is Jet Reports and who needs training?
Jet Reports is an Excel add-in that connects directly to Microsoft Dynamics ERP systems (Business Central, NAV, and GP). It lets you build automated reports using live data without exporting to CSV or copying and pasting between systems.
The tool uses a set of Excel functions (NL, NF, NP) to pull data dynamically. Change a date range in one cell, and your entire report updates instantly. No more rebuilding the same report every month.
Who benefits most from training?
Finance teams creating P&L statements, balance sheets, and management reports
Accountants who need to reconcile data across multiple companies
BI consultants implementing reporting solutions for clients
Business analysts building dashboards and operational reports
Controllers managing consolidated financial reporting
The common thread? Anyone who regularly extracts data from Dynamics ERP and transforms it into meaningful reports.
Training matters because Jet Reports has a learning curve. The function syntax is specific. The report wizard has dozens of options. And without understanding best practices, you'll build reports that break or run slowly. Most organizations see ROI on training within the first month through time savings alone.
Types of Jet Reports training available
Not everyone learns the same way. Fortunately, training providers offer multiple formats to match your schedule, budget, and learning style.
Instructor-led virtual training
Live online sessions with certified instructors remain the most popular option. insightsoftware, the company that now owns Jet Global, runs regular virtual training programs. You get real-time interaction, immediate answers to questions, and structured progression through the material.
These sessions typically run 2.5 to 3 hours per day over several days. The format works well for teams who need accountability and prefer learning alongside others. Most virtual programs include hands-on exercises using sample data, so you're not just watching, you're doing.
The downside? You need to align your schedule with the training calendar. If you miss a session, catching up can be difficult.
In-person regional training
For teams that learn better face-to-face, insightsoftware also offers regional training in various locations. These hands-on classroom sessions provide the most immersive experience.
In-person training works best when:
You're sending multiple team members who can learn together
Your reporting needs are complex and require discussion
You prefer the focus that comes from being away from the office
The trade-off is travel cost and time away from work. For distributed teams, virtual training usually makes more sense.
Self-paced online courses
On-demand learning has grown significantly, and several providers now offer comprehensive self-paced options.
Business Insights, led by Tim Turner (a Chartered Accountant with 15+ years of Jet experience), offers a self-paced course for $195 with lifetime access. The course includes 250 topics, 30+ videos, 75 tips, and 10 Business Central-ready reports. You also get pre-built snippets, Table Builder templates, and access to monthly customer education webinars.
The Jet Global eLearning platform provides another self-paced option with prerequisite courses for report designers.
Self-paced works best if you:
Have an unpredictable schedule
Prefer to learn in short bursts
Want to reference materials repeatedly as you build real reports
Need to train at your own pace without keeping up with a class
The challenge is self-discipline. Without a scheduled session, it's easy to push training down the priority list.
What you'll learn in Jet Reports training
Regardless of which provider you choose, comprehensive Jet Reports training covers a consistent curriculum. Here's what you can expect to master:
Core Jet Functions
The foundation of Jet Reports is three key functions:
NL (Next Link): Retrieves data from your ERP. You'll learn to use NL(Rows), NL(Columns), and NL(Sheet) to build dynamic reports that expand automatically as your data grows.
NF (Next Field): Pulls specific field values from records. Essential for building detailed lists and lookups.
NP (Next Pivot): Creates pivot-style reports and handles special parameters like date filters.
These functions look intimidating at first, but they're logical once you understand the syntax. Training provides the repetition and examples needed to make them second nature.
Report building tools
Beyond manual function writing, you'll learn the visual tools:
Report Wizard: Step-by-step guide for building common reports
Table Builder: Visual interface for creating reports without writing functions
Browser: Tool for exploring your ERP data structure
Most beginners start with the wizards and gradually move to manual function writing for complex reports.
Financial reporting
For finance teams, training covers specific techniques:
Building P&L statements with proper formatting
Creating balance sheets with correct account hierarchies
Using GL functions for general ledger reporting
Multi-company consolidation
Date intelligence (comparing actuals vs. prior year)
Advanced features
Comprehensive programs dive into:
Filtering: Advanced filter syntax, wildcards, and combining conditions
Report options: Creating dropdown menus and input cells for flexible reports
Scheduling: Using Jet Scheduler to automate report distribution
Jet Hub: Sharing and collaborating on reports
Conditional formatting: Hiding rows and columns based on data values
Performance optimization: Building reports that run quickly even with large datasets
Structured learning path from basic functions to complex financial reporting
Choosing the right Jet Reports training for your team
With multiple options available, how do you decide? Here's a decision framework based on common scenarios:
Solo learner on a budget
Start with The 365 People's free Jet Reports 101 course. If you need more depth after that, the Business Insights self-paced course at $195 provides comprehensive coverage without breaking the bank.
Small team (2-5 people)
Consider a private virtual training session. Global Data 365 and insightsoftware both offer private options. The per-person cost is higher, but the training can be tailored to your specific reports and data structure. You'll save time by learning on your actual ERP setup rather than generic examples.
Large organization
For teams of 10 or more, a combination approach works best:
Send key power users to comprehensive instructor-led training
Have them train others internally using the self-paced materials
Invest in certification for team leads
This spreads expertise throughout the organization while controlling costs.
Consultant or implementation partner
You need official certification. Go with insightsoftware's training program. The credentials matter for client confidence, and you'll get access to advanced topics and support resources.
Urgent deadline
If you need to build a specific report quickly and can't wait for scheduled training, the Business Insights self-paced course is your best bet. You can jump directly to relevant topics rather than following a fixed curriculum.
Certification and next steps
Jet Reports certification
insightsoftware offers certification exams for Jet Reports. Achieving certification demonstrates proficiency and can be valuable for:
Consultants building credibility with clients
Job seekers differentiating their resume
Organizations validating internal expertise
Certification typically requires completing the official training course and passing an exam. The credential is recognized across the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem.
Continuing education
Jet Reports evolves regularly. New features arrive with each release, and best practices change as the product matures. Most training providers offer continuing education options:
Monthly webinars covering new features
Updated course materials for major releases
Community forums for peer support
Advanced workshops for specific use cases
Applying your training
The best way to solidify what you've learned is immediate application. After training:
Identify 2-3 reports you currently build manually
Rebuild them using Jet Reports techniques
Document your process for team reference
Schedule time to explore one advanced feature per week
Expect a learning curve. Your first few reports will take longer than manual methods. But once you master the functions and build a library of templates, reporting becomes significantly faster.
Start your Jet Reports training journey
Jet Reports training is an investment that pays dividends through time savings, report accuracy, and team capability. The right program depends on your current skill level, learning preferences, and organizational needs.
If you're just getting started, take advantage of the free options to understand the basics. For teams serious about reporting excellence, instructor-led training with certification provides the structure and credentials that matter. And for ongoing reference, self-paced courses with lifetime access ensure you always have support when new reporting challenges arise.
At On Point, we've guided dozens of organizations through Jet Reports implementation and training. Our approach emphasizes hand-holding through the deployment process, ensuring your team doesn't just learn the tool but applies it effectively to your specific reporting needs. Whether you need help choosing a training program or want customized training delivered by our certified consultants, we're here to support your reporting transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Jet Reports training typically take?
Training duration varies by format. Free introductory courses like Jet Reports 101 take one day (6 hours). Comprehensive instructor-led programs range from 9 hours (beginner) to 16 hours (advanced) spread over 3-4 days. Self-paced courses offer lifetime access with 250+ topics that you can complete at your own speed.
Is Jet Reports training worth the investment for small businesses?
For small businesses using Dynamics ERP, training typically pays for itself within 1-3 months through time savings. If you're spending more than 5 hours per month manually building reports in Excel, the $195 self-paced course or free introductory training is a low-risk investment with measurable returns.
Do I need to know Excel formulas before starting Jet Reports training?
Basic Excel familiarity helps, but you don't need to be an expert. Understanding cell references, basic formulas, and worksheet navigation is sufficient. The Jet-specific functions (NL, NF, NP) are taught from scratch in all training programs. Advanced Excel skills become more important for complex report formatting and analysis.
Can I get certified in Jet Reports, and is certification valuable?
Yes, insightsoftware offers official Jet Reports certification. It's particularly valuable for consultants, implementation partners, and job seekers in the Dynamics ecosystem. For internal finance teams, certification is less critical than practical skills, though it can demonstrate expertise for career advancement.
What's the difference between Jet Reports training and Jet Analytics training?
Jet Reports focuses on building reports directly from your ERP data using Excel functions. Jet Analytics training covers the back-end data warehouse, ETL processes, and advanced BI capabilities. Most users start with Jet Reports. Jet Analytics training is for organizations needing complex data modeling, historical analysis, or multi-source data consolidation.
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