NAV Metadata — Free Dynamics NAV Metadata Toolkit
The open-source toolkit for Microsoft Dynamics NAV metadata. Explore metadata, compare databases, export to XML or JSON, generate documentation, and analyze relationships — all from your NAV SQL database. No CAL, no finsql.
Download: NAV Metadata v1.0.0 for Windows · GitHub · Documentation
Features for NAV developers
- Browse NAV tables, pages, reports, queries, and codeunits from SQL Server
- View decompressed metadata XML with syntax highlighting
- Export metadata XML files for diffs, backups, and tooling
- Filter objects by ID or name without finsql or a CAL
- Windows and SQL Server authentication
- Planned: metadata compare, documentation generator, JSON export, AL generator
Frequently asked questions
What is NAV Metadata?
NAV Metadata is a free, open-source toolkit for Microsoft Dynamics NAV metadata. The first module — Metadata Explorer — lets you browse application objects and view decompressed metadata XML directly from SQL Server, without a CAL or finsql.
Which NAV versions are supported?
Any NAV database that contains the standard [Object] and [Object Metadata] system tables. This includes NAV 2009 through NAV 2018 and many Business Central on-prem databases.
Do I need a developer license or CAL?
No. The app only reads from SQL Server tables. You need read access to the NAV database, but no NAV client license is required.
Does the app send any data externally?
No telemetry, no analytics, no data collection. The only network request is an optional check for GitHub Releases updates — which you can dismiss or defer.
What authentication methods are supported?
Both Windows Authentication and SQL Server Authentication. Enter your server name, pick a database from a live dropdown, and connect.
Can I export metadata?
Yes. Select any object and click Export to save the decompressed metadata XML to a file on disk. JSON export and batch operations are planned for future modules.
What modules are planned?
The roadmap includes Metadata Compare, Documentation Generator, JSON Export, AL Generator, Migration Toolkit, AI Assistant, and a Plugin System.
Is it really free?
Yes. NAV Metadata is MIT licensed and completely free — no ads, no premium tier, no catch.
How do I report bugs or request features?
Open an issue on GitHub. The app also includes a direct link to the issue tracker from the Help menu.