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How can I upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Business Central Online?

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Posted on by Sam Peterson

We are currently using Dynamics NAV and want to move to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Online. What are the recommended steps for this upgrade, and what benefits can we expect after migration?

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics 365 Business Central migration

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

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OussamaSabbouh 15,188 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello,

You typically move from NAV to Business Central Online in phases: first upgrade NAV to Business Central on-premises v14 or later, convert old C/AL customizations into AL/extensions, then upgrade to a currently supported on-prem version before using Microsoft’s cloud migration tool to replicate data and switch users to BC Online; Microsoft also notes that data from tables with code customizations can’t be carried forward as-is, so cleanup and extension refactoring are usually the main work. The payoff after migration is mostly the cloud stuff: no server/infrastructure to manage, easier updates, better integration with Power BI/Power Automate/AI features, remote access, and a more modern extension-based platform that’s easier to maintain long term.

Regards,
Oussama Sabbouh

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Gerardo Rentería Ga... 26,110 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi, good day
I hope this can help you, and give you some hints.

Upgrading to On-Premises v.14 - Business Central | Microsoft Learn

Why it’s time to move from NAV to Business Central

What are the key benefits of moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central?

NAV to Business Central: Benefits, Challenges & Real-World Success Stories - Trident

Best Regards
Gerardo

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Yash_Mistry 474 on at

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Hello,

You can follow the standard Microsoft Learning Path for that:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/upgrade/upgrading-to-business-central-on-premises
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/migrate-nav

also you can refer to upgrade compatibility matrix below:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/upgrade/upgrade-v14-v15-compatibility

Hope this Helps.

Regards,
Yash Mistry

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Teagen Boll 2,184 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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There are a few things you can do. Some companies have modernization programs they offer that will help with design and analysis and determining if you can port most NAV setup over (just in case you have customizations). Microsoft has a program called AIM that you can research and look at: Overview of the AIM migration program for on-premises solutions - Dynamics 365 | Microsoft Learn

You can also just reach out to any partner in your region and get quotes from them. Any partner i've been involved with is more than happy to demo features and discuss migration options. Microsoft has a partner directory you can access and create filters on. I'd recommend looking in your region and reaching out to a few: Microsoft Marketplace | cloud solutions, AI apps, and agents

I also recommend getting some work started before even meeting with any partner or doing any research on AIM. You can focus on master data cleanup (i.e. - block duplicate records, make sure addresses, emails, contact info is accurate).

You should also determine if you just want to replicate your NAV instance or if you want to focus on a reimplementation (which would be going through a detailed design phase).

You may also find this insightful as well: Migrating from Dynamics GP or NAV to Business Central - Catapult - It walks through why you would migrate, how you would migrate, what to look out for etc.

Hopefully that helps gives you a starting point!

Teagen Boll, CPA

Work: Catapult ERP

Social: LinkedIn

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Pallavi Phade 5,510 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Namaste @Sam Peterson

There is no end-to-end documentation but below processes can surely help you forward . We also did it the same way .

The process consists of three parts:

Upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Business Central version 14. Learn more in Upgrading to Business Central on-premises (version 14).

Convert non-standard functionality and customizations to apps and per-tenant extensions. Learn more in Deploying a Tenant Customization.

Upgrade to at least Business Central version 26.0.

Migrate to Business Central online and then switch to use it going forward. Learn more in Migrate On-Premises Data to Business Central Online.

Healthy Tips

1) You also need to take care of Taxations if its Indian Localisation as Use-cases are key important change in upgrade.

2) Ensure you do proper migration in on-prem ( Migration to Onprem- 14 is major step) as it involves major step.

3) Below List of Tables getting deprecated

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/upgrade/india-data-migration-list-of-deprecated-tables

4) If The Database size is huge and over years would recommend application migration and cut-off on opening balances .

5) You need to take care of Integrations , third party solutions as well .

Below Link Can help . Same content had shared in this below link

https://community.dynamics.com/forums/thread/details/?commentid=a1e71a9c-918c-f011-b4cc-002248298daa

Warm Regards

Pallavi Phade

www.linkedin.com/in/pallaviphade131116

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YUN ZHU 100,212 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi, hope the following helps.

Dynamics 365 Business Central On-Premises upgrade scenario (All Supported Upgrade Paths)

https://yzhums.com/49734/

Thanks.

ZHU

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