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Preview PDF Attachments Directly in Business Central Web Client.

Hi Readers,

Introduction

Microsoft is making Business Central more user-friendly with Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1. A standout feature in this update is the ability to preview PDF attachments directly in the web client. This means no more unnecessary downloads, saving time, improving productivity, and making workflows smoother.

Why Is PDF Previewing Important?

For Business Central users, working with attachments is a daily task. Previously, users had to download PDFs just to view them, leading to cluttered downloads, security risks, and workflow interruptions. With this update, you can view PDFs instantly inside Business Central, keeping your focus on your work.

Key Features

Instant PDF Preview – View PDFs directly in Business Central without downloading.
Seamless Viewer Experience – The preview mode works like print preview, making navigation easy.
Works Across Business Central – From attachments to reports, all PDFs can be previewed.
Still Download When Needed – If necessary, users can still download the PDF manually.

How Does It Work?

Whenever you click on a PDF attachment, instead of downloading it, Business Central will open it in a built-in previewer. This previewer provides zooming, scrolling, and navigation tools—making it easy to view documents directly.

Enhancements for Developers

Microsoft has introduced two new AL methods to enable this feature:
📌 File.ViewFromStream – For Business Central Online
📌 File.View – For Business Central On-Premises

These methods allow extension developers to integrate PDF preview functionality in their applications, following the same pattern as File.Download.

Benefits of PDF Preview in Business Central

Time-Saving – No need to download files unnecessarily.
Increased Productivity – Stay focused on your work without switching apps.
Improved Security – Reduce unnecessary file downloads, minimizing risks.
User-Friendly – The seamless previewer ensures a smoother experience.

Final Thoughts

The Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1 update is a game-changer for PDF handling. Users can now view attachments instantly, avoid unnecessary downloads, and work more efficiently.

🚀 Want to see this feature in action? Check out my YouTube video for a complete walkthrough!

 Regards,
 Saurav Dhyani

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