If you ever used Dynamics GP, you probably remember how powerful SmartLists were. They gave you a quick way to slice, filter, and export data without waiting on IT. When Dynamics 365 Business Central came along, many Dynamics GP veterans immediately asked, “Where are my SmartLists?”

Microsoft’s answer was Dynamics 365 Business Central Analysis Mode, first introduced in 2023. The goal was to let users turn any list page into a customizable table view and analyze data without ever leaving D365 Business Central. It was a step forward, but the first versions often fell short once people tried to use them in real-world scenarios.

Now, with the upcoming D365 Business Central 2025 Wave 2 (v27) release, Analysis Mode is getting better. Users will now be able to add fields from related tables, which brings the experience much closer to what Dynamics GP users were used to with SmartLists. It is a welcome improvement for everyday reporting, but the question remains: Is it enough for you, or do you need more?

What Dynamics 365 Business Central Analysis Mode offers:
  • Run pivots inside D365 Business Central: analyze data on the spot without exporting. 
  • Add fields from related tables: Bring in customer, vendor, or contact details without clicking into other pages. 
What are the Limitations?
  • Hit a wall at 100,000 rows: Large transaction lists will stop short, forcing you to filter down or export to Microsoft Excel. 
  • Only one relationship allowed: Need to pull customer data linked to invoices and associated shipments? You cannot go beyond a single parent or child level. 
  • Stuck in one company: If you work across multiple companies, you will have to run your list in each one individually. 
  • List pages only: You will not see this analysis in FactBoxes, Subforms, or dashboards. 

Where Analysis Mode Stops, Popdock Picks Up

Popdock is SmartList Builder for D365 Business Central and more. It gives everyday users the power to create optimized queries, pull in data from any table or app, and share it with the people or systems that need it most.

What Makes Popdock Different?
  • Access any table, even custom ones – No waiting on developers to expose fields; everything in Business Central is available. 
  • Build the reports you actually need – Combine tables, add filters, create formulas, group and summarize data, or merge across companies, all without custom development. 
  • Put control in users’ hands – Non-technical team members can build and adjust their own queries without writing AL code or requiring IT involvement. 
  • See data where you work – Embed Popdock lists in BC, your CRM, or any other application so users can stay in their preferred app. No need to jump between systems. 
  • Bring everything together – Include historical ERP data, cross-app dashboards, Excel/Power BI exports, and even AI-driven insights in a single reporting experience. 

Side-by-side Comparison

Feature/CapabilityD365 Business Central Analysis ModePopdock Query Builder
Ease of use (no-code)✅ Very easy, simple inside BC ✅ Easy drag-and-drop query builder 
Maximum List Size❌ Capped at 100,000 rows ✅ Handles 1,000,000+ rows 
Table relationships/joins❌ Limited to one left join (1:1 or 1:n) ✅ Full joins (Left, Right, Outer, Cross, Union, and Unions with Merge Lists) 
Formulas & Calculations❌ Not supported ✅ Create custom calculated columns 
Multi-Company Support❌ One company at a time✅ Combine multiple companies in one list 
Drill-downs❌ Only on the main table ✅ To any BC page or even external apps 
Export Options❌ Manual Excel only ✅ Excel, CSV, API, Power BI 
Embedding❌ Not supported ✅ Embed in FactBoxes, FastTabs, Role Centers 
Scheduling & Sharing❌ Manual only ✅ Schedule refreshes, share via widgets 
Historical/Legacy Data❌ BC data only ✅ Include Dynamics GP/legacy ERP, external systems 
Subforms/Details❌ Must drill into card page ✅ Subforms, sidebars, full-screen expands 

So… when should you use Analysis Mode vs. Popdock?

Analysis mode if:
  • You need a quick way to pull a few extra fields into an existing BC list page. 
  • You need to do light ad hoc reporting and are comfortable staying within BC list page boundaries. 
  • You need simple analysis inside one company and do not require embedded widgets. 
Upgrade to Popdock when:
  • You need rich, flexible reporting that merges data across multiple tables. 
  • You need cross-company, cross-system, or historical data reporting. 
  • You need to empower users to build and adjust their own queries without writing their own AL code, relying on IT, taking it to a developer.. 
  • You need to embed dynamic data in dashboards, FastTabs, FactBoxes, or push it to other applications through APIs. 
  • You need enhanced usability, including formulas, favorites, deeper insights, export options, and integration with Excel, Power BI, or AI. 

Sample Scenarios

Closing Thoughts

Dynamics 365 Business Central’s latest updates to Analysis Mode are a real win for day-to-day users. They bring back some of the SmartList-style flexibility that Dynamics GP customers have missed and make quick list tweaks or light analysis much easier. 

But the moment you need to go further, whether that means pulling data across companies, building more complex joins, adding your own formulas, looking at historical records, or embedding insights right where your team works, that is where Popdock really makes the difference. 

Popdock is not just about smarter lists. It is about giving every department self-service access to the data that matters to them without piling more requests onto IT. 

Final Verdict: Analysis Mode can get you started, but Popdock takes you the rest of the way. Get started with Popdock here.

Have questions about Popdock or Analysis Mode in Dynamics 365 Business Central? Contact the eOne team to learn more.