Ensuring a Smooth Upgrade to Business Central 25 – SQL Server Full-Text Search Requirement

We encountered this error during a recent Business Central 25 upgrade.

Error: "Text optimized index cannot be created/queried because the SQL Server Full-Text Search component is not installed. Please install the SQL Server Full-Text Search component and try again."

This error message, which some may encounter during their upgrade process, indicates that the SQL Server Full-Text Search component must now be installed for Business Central 25.

Upgrading Unmodified C/AL Application to version 25 - Business Central | Microsoft Learn

Here’s how to add the Full-Text Search component to your SQL Server for Business Central 25:

Steps to Install SQL Server Full-Text Search Component

1.      Open SQL Server Installation Center.
If your installation media is accessible, launch the SQL Server Installation Center.

2.      Navigate to Installation.
Click on Installation from the sidebar.

3.      Choose “Stand-Alone or Add Features Option.”
Select New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation

4.      Add Features to an Existing Instance.

             Click Next through the initial dialogs until you see the Installation Type dialog.                   Here, choose Add features to an existing instance of SQL Server.

5.      Select Full-Text and Semantic Extractions for Search.

             Under Database Engine Services, check Full-Text and Semantic Extractions for              Search to enable the Full-Text Search component.

6.      Complete Installation.

              Follow the remaining prompts to finalize the installation of this feature.

After installation, you should be able to proceed with the Business Central 25 upgrade without encountering the Full-Text Search error.