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How to Install Jet Reports in Excel

Cody Schneider•

Installing Jet Reports can feel like unlocking a new level of power for a familiar tool, embedding sophisticated business intelligence capabilities directly within Excel. This guide will walk you through the entire installation and initial setup process, step-by-step, to help you connect to your data and start building insightful reports without any headaches.

Before You Begin: Your Jet Reports Installation Checklist

A smooth installation begins with a little preparation. Before you download anything, run through this quick checklist to ensure your system and your information are ready. This will save you from common roadblocks later on.

1. Confirm System Requirements

First, make sure your computer is compatible with the version of Jet Reports you plan to install. While specific requirements can change, you'll generally need to check for:

  • Microsoft Excel Version: Jet Reports is designed for specific versions of Microsoft Excel (e.g., Office 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019). Ensure your installed version is supported. It must be a 32-bit or 64-bit desktop version of Excel for Windows, Mac versions are not supported.

  • Operating System: You'll need a compatible Windows operating system (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11).

  • .NET Framework: Jet Reports often relies on a specific version of the Microsoft .NET Framework. The installer usually handles this, but it’s good to be aware that it might prompt you to install or update it.

2. Have Your License Key Ready

You can't activate or use Jet Reports without a valid license. Before you start, locate your activation code or license file. This is typically sent to you via email by your administrator or the Jet Reports team after purchase. Having it on hand will make the post-installation activation seamless.

3. Secure Administrative Rights

To install software on your computer, you will almost always need administrator permissions. If you are using a work computer, you might need to coordinate with your IT department to either grant you temporary administrative rights or to perform the installation for you. Trying to install without these rights is one of the most common reasons for installation failure.

4. Gather Your Database Connection Details

Jet Reports is only as powerful as the data it's connected to. The final step of the setup process involves configuring a data source, which is usually a direct connection to your ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, NAV, or GP. To do this, you will need some key pieces of information:

  • Server Name: The name or IP address of the server where your database is hosted.

  • Database Name: The specific name of the database you need to connect to.

  • Authentication/Login Credentials: The username and password required to access the database.

Again, if you don't have this information, your IT department or ERP administrator should be able to provide it.

Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Jet Reports in Excel

With your checklist complete, you're ready to perform the installation. Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Download the Jet Reports Installer

First, obtain the installation file. You can typically download the latest version of Jet Reports directly from the official Jet Global download site. Be sure to select the correct version that corresponds to your license and ERP system. Save the downloaded file to an easily accessible location, like your Desktop or Downloads folder.

Step 2: Run the Installer Package

Once the download is complete, locate the setup file (e.g., Jet-Reports.exe). It's a best practice to run the installer as an administrator to prevent any permission-related issues. To do this:

  1. Right-click on the installer file.

  2. Select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.

  3. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click "Yes" to allow the installer to make changes to your device.

The Jet Reports installation wizard will launch. You’ll be greeted by a welcome screen and prompted to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Read through the terms and, if you agree, check the box and click "Next."

Step 3: Select Installation Components

The installer will present you with a list of components to install. For most users, you will only need the primary Excel add-in. The essential component to select is:

  • Jet Reports (Excel Add-in): This is the core component that integrates Jet Reports directly into Microsoft Excel. Ensure this box is checked.

You may see other options like the "Jet Administration Console," which is typically used by administrators to manage licenses and data source configurations for a team. For a standard user installation, you can usually leave this unchecked unless specifically instructed by your IT team. Click "Next" to continue.

Step 4: Confirm the Installation Path

The wizard will ask you to choose a destination folder for the installation. In most cases, the default path provided is perfectly fine. It’s generally recommended to stick with the default location unless you have a specific reason to change it.

C:\Program Files\Jet Reports\

Step 5: Complete the Installation

After confirming the components and path, click the "Install" button. The wizard will now copy the necessary files and configure the add-in. The process usually only takes a minute or two. Once it's finished, you'll see a completion screen. Simply click "Finish" to close the wizard.

Congratulations! Jet Reports is now installed on your computer. The next step is to open Excel and activate it.

First-Time Setup: Activating and Connecting Jet Reports

Installing the software is just the first half of the process. Now you need to activate your license and connect to your data source so you can start pulling information.

1. Open Excel and Activate Your License

Open Microsoft Excel. Upon the first launch after installation, a Jet Reports "Activation" window should automatically appear. If it doesn't, you should now see a new "Jet" tab in the Excel ribbon. Click on the Jet tab, find a "Help" or "Application Settings" menu, and select the "Activate License" option.

In the activation window:

  • Enter the activation code you gathered during the preparation phase.

  • Fill in your name and email address as required.

  • Click the "Activate" button.

The application will connect to the Jet Global activation servers to validate your license. Once successful, you’ll receive a confirmation message.

2. Configure Your Data Source Connection

With the software activated, it's time to tell Jet where to find your business data.

  1. In the Jet ribbon, click on Data Source Settings.

  2. In the Data Source Settings window, click the "Add" button to create a new connection.

  3. A new window will appear. Give your data source a descriptive name, like "My Company Dynamics BC".

  4. From the "Type" dropdown, select the right database type (e.g., Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP).

  5. Click the "Configure" button. This will open a connection properties window where you will enter the server and database details you collected earlier:

    • Server: Enter the server name.

    • Database: Enter the name of the database.

    • Company (if applicable): Some ERPs require you to specify a company within the database.

    • Authentication: Choose the appropriate authentication method (e.g., Windows Authentication or Database Login) and enter your credentials if prompted.

  6. Use the "Test Connection" button. This is a crucial step! It verifies that all your settings are correct and that Jet Reports can successfully communicate with your database. If the test is successful, you'll see a confirmation message. If it fails, double-check every setting you entered.

  7. Once the connection test passes, click "OK" on all open windows to save your settings. You are now connected and ready to build reports!

Troubleshooting Common Installation Hiccups

Even with careful preparation, things can sometimes go sideways. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them.

The "Jet" Ribbon is Missing in Excel

Sometimes after installation, you open Excel and the Jet tab isn't there. This usually happens because Excel has disabled the add-in.

  • Solution: Go to File → Options → Add-ins. At the bottom, next to "Manage," select "COM Add-ins" and click "Go." In the list that appears, find the Jet Reports add-in. If it is unchecked, check the box and click "OK." If disabling/enabling COM doesn't fix things, restart your computer and repeat.

Permissions-Related Errors During Installation

If you see errors mentioning "access denied" or a failure to write to a directory, it's almost certainly a permissions problem.

  • Solution: Make sure you right-clicked the installer and selected "Run as administrator." If that doesn't work, you will likely need to engage your IT department to perform the installation with elevated privileges.

Activation Failed

There are a few reasons your license activation might fail.

  • Solution: First, triple-check that you entered the activation code correctly - it's easy to make a typo. Second, ensure you have an active internet connection, as activation requires communication with Jet's servers. Finally, check that no firewall is blocking Excel from accessing the internet.

Final Thoughts

Installing Jet Reports in Excel is a straightforward process when you're prepared. By reviewing your system requirements, gathering the necessary information, and following the right steps, you can embed a truly powerful reporting engine directly into your spreadsheets and begin transforming raw business data into actionable insights.

However, we know that manually creating reports, even with powerful tools that embed inside of spreadsheets, can sometimes be a time-consuming and often uninspiring chore. Here at Graphed, we’ve developed something new with an all-new approach, leveraging the power of AI to totally eliminate this friction for teams of all sizes. Instead of learning functions and building them inside a clunky spreadsheet application, you can simply connect your data sources - such as Google, Meta, or Klaviyo to your ERP or Sales system - and ask questions directly to get the answers and insights from real-time customer data.