Hidden Extensions in Business Central
Have you heard of hidden extensions in Business Central? In Dynamics 365 Business Central, an extension is a way to customize or add additional functionalities to the system without modifying the base code.
This allows system updates to be performed more easily, since customizations are kept separate from the application core.
Discover all the extensions for Business Central available at ABD.
Additional functionalities and online services
Extensions can add new functions, change the behavior of existing functions, or provide access to new online services. For example, you can install an extension to integrate Business Central with payment services like PayPal.
You can get more information about extensions at the following link Customize Business Central Online with apps – Business Central | Microsoft Learn
Why Are Some Extensions Hidden?
There are several reasons why some extensions may be hidden:
- Security and Control: To prevent unauthorized modifications or to protect system integrity.
- Specialized Functionalities: Extensions that provide very specific functionalities or that are in the testing phase may not be visible in standard administration.
- Custom Configurations: In some cases, they are custom configurations developed for specific company needs.
Management of hidden extensions in Business Central
As you know, applications and extensions are managed on the Extension Management page. You can access this page from Home. You can also select the Search page icon (the magnifying glass) that opens the "Tell me what you want to do" feature, type Extension, and then select the related link.
But this page actually doesn't show all the extensions in the environment.
For example, _Exclude_Microsoft Dynamics 365 – SmartList
We check the extension management list and it doesn't appear:
So, what to do? How can we know exactly all the extensions we have published?
How to check all hidden extensions?
To check all extensions, hidden or not, we must consult the table 2000000153 "NAV App Installed App".
How can we access that table?
We can access the table using the following method:
To view a table, add the parameter to the client address (URL), replacing it with the ID of the table you want to view.
For example table= "TableID"
https://businesscentral.dynamics.com/d8f36038-1f93-4543-affc-9a9a2b6ee871/Sandbox214/?table=2000000153
(note: this is a fictional tenant, test it with your own one where you must be logged in)
The open list this time contains all the extensions.
Installed NAV Application:
Very simple, right?
Considerations When Using Hidden Extensions
Monitoring and Maintenance
It is crucial to monitor the performance of hidden extensions to ensure they do not negatively affect the system. Implement a continuous monitoring system and perform periodic maintenance to keep the extensions updated and functioning correctly.
Exhaustive Testing
Before implementing hidden extensions in production, perform exhaustive testing in a test environment. Ensure you evaluate the compatibility, performance, security, and functionality of the extension to prevent issues.
Proper Documentation
Maintain detailed documentation of all hidden extensions, including their description, configuration, installation and update procedures, change history, and their impact on the system. This facilitates the maintenance and updating of the extensions.
Continuous Evaluation
Conduct periodic evaluations to ensure that hidden extensions remain useful and efficient. Review their usage, update as necessary, and collect user feedback to identify possible improvements.
At ABD we are specialists in Business Central and we are here to help you get the most out of your ERP.
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