Getting Started

If you do not have a tenant for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can sign up for a free trial.

Once you have completed the sign up and your tenant is up and running, you can add the External File Storage app from the AppSource marketplace. If you have questions about the installation process of an app through Microsoft AppSource, you can find more information on installing apps on the Microsoft Docs site.

Prerequisites

Before setting up External File Storage, you need:

  • A storage connector app installed — External File Storage is a framework; it requires a separate connector app that provides the actual storage back-end. Install one of the following from Microsoft AppSource:
  • A configured file account in that connector — each connector has its own account setup. Follow the connector's getting-started guide to create at least one account before continuing here
  • Appropriate BC permissions — see Permission Setups

Permission Setup

Before using External File Storage, ensure your Business Central user has the correct permission set assigned. See Permission Setups for details.

Step 1: Open the External File Storage Setup

Choose the Tell me what you want to do icon, enter External File Storage Setup, and then choose the related link.

This page is the central configuration point for the app. From here you can configure the folder path template, manage file accounts, and assign storage providers to scenarios.

Step 2: Assign a File Account to the Document Attachments Scenario

Choose the File Scenarios action on the External File Storage Setup page. This opens the standard Business Central File Scenario Setup page.

Assign your storage account to the Document Attachments scenario:

  1. Locate or create the Document Attachments scenario in the list
  2. In the Account Name column, select the file account you created in your connector app
  3. Close the page
Note

The File Scenarios page lists all available scenarios registered by connector apps. You will see Document Attachments — this is the scenario registered by External File Storage. Other scenarios may be visible if other connector-aware apps are installed.

Step 3: Verify the Setup

To confirm attachments are routing to external storage:

  1. Open any Business Central record that supports document attachments (for example, a Sales Order)
  2. In the Attachments factbox, choose Attach File and upload any file
  3. The file should upload successfully. To confirm it went to external storage rather than the BC database, check your external storage account — the file should appear under the folder path determined by your folder path template

You should also see a new Pick from External Storage action in the attachments factbox. This allows users to browse your external storage and attach existing files without uploading a new copy. See How to Pick a File from External Storage.

Next Steps

See Also