Migration path · NAV
Dynamics NAV to Business Central upgrade
Business Central is the direct successor to Dynamics NAV. The data model will feel familiar; the work is in your customisations and the route through intermediate versions.
Where things stand
Dynamics NAV 2018 was the last NAV release. Its extended support ends on January 11, 2028 (Microsoft Lifecycle). NAV 2017 has even less time: its extended support ends on January 11, 2027 (Microsoft Lifecycle). NAV 2016 extended support ended in April 2026 (Microsoft Lifecycle), and earlier versions are also out of support.
Because Business Central grew out of NAV, this is closer to an upgrade than a re-implementation. Microsoft documents a set of supported upgrade paths that, depending on your starting version, pass through one or more intermediate Business Central releases before you reach the current version or move to Business Central online.
What the migration covers
Version path
We confirm your exact NAV version and cumulative update, then map the shortest supported route to current Business Central.
C/AL to AL
NAV customisations written in C/AL are converted to AL extensions, or replaced by standard features and AppSource apps where Business Central now covers them.
Data upgrade
Company data is upgraded rather than re-keyed, with checks on balances, open documents and posted history at each step.
Add-ons
Each NAV add-on is checked for a Business Central version; the ones without one are replaced or rebuilt.
Integrations
Direct database integrations are moved to Business Central APIs, which online deployments require.
Training
The role centres and page layouts differ from classic NAV clients. Training is short but should not be skipped.
What to watch for
- Heavily modified NAV databases: count the changed objects before you estimate anything.
- Classic-client era versions (NAV 2009 and earlier) usually need a re-implementation with data migration rather than an upgrade.
- Reports built on the old report designer need rebuilding.
- Moving online means no direct SQL access. Anything that reads or writes the database directly has to change.
Questions we get about this path
Is Dynamics NAV still supported?
Dynamics NAV 2018, the last NAV release, left mainstream support in January 2023 and its extended support ends on January 11, 2028. Dynamics NAV 2017 extended support ends on January 11, 2027. NAV 2016 extended support ended in April 2026, and earlier versions are also out of support. Sources: NAV 2018, NAV 2017, NAV 2016 on Microsoft Lifecycle.
Can Dynamics NAV be upgraded straight to Business Central online?
Usually not in one step. Microsoft documents NAV upgrades as a path through intermediate Business Central releases, and C/AL customisations must be converted to AL extensions along the way. Once the solution is on a supported Business Central version, it can move to Business Central online. Source: Microsoft Learn — Business Central upgrade paths.
Do we have to bring all of our historical data across?
No. Most companies bring master data, open balances and open transactions, plus a limited window of history, and keep the old system or an archive read-only for audit. Microsoft's GP cloud migration, for example, lets you choose how many historical years to move. Source: Microsoft Learn — GP data migrated to Business Central.
Do we have to move to the cloud?
Business Central is available online (SaaS) and, for some customers, on-premises. Microsoft is concentrating new investment on the online version, so most migrations we scope target Business Central online. If you have a hard requirement to stay on-premises we will tell you what that costs you.
Next step
Tell us what you run today.
Current system and version, number of companies and users, and any deadline. We reply with the questions we need answered and a time to talk.