One of the biggest strengths of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is its robust set of reporting tools, designed to help you dig into your data and make smarter, faster decisions. In this blog, we’ll walk through some of the most impactful reporting features available—and how using them can help your business stay agile, informed, and focused on its goals.
Views: Custom Data Lists for Quick Access
Views are a flexible way to organize and display your records in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Essentially, they’re custom lists that show only the data that matters most to you—filtered and sorted to match your needs. Whether you’re reviewing leads, tracking service tickets, or keeping tabs on open opportunities, Views let you pull exactly what you want, when you need it.
The real power of Views lies in how easily they can be adjusted. You can tweak filters, rearrange columns, and change sorting options on the fly. This makes them perfect for daily use, helping you stay focused without wasting time digging through irrelevant information.
Charts: Quick Visual Insights at a Glance
Need a visual summary of what’s happening in your pipeline or service department? Charts in Dynamics CRM offer instant clarity. You can create visual breakdowns by any metric—region, product, status, or timeline—to quickly identify patterns, spot anomalies, and prioritize next steps.
From pie charts showing customer satisfaction to bar graphs tracking quarterly sales, charts bring your data to life. And with interactive features, you can drill down into the specifics behind each data point for deeper insights—all without leaving the platform.
Dashboards: One Screen, All the Essentials
Dashboards bring everything together in a single, streamlined view. Instead of switching between reports or digging through different sections of the system, you get a centralized hub for all your key metrics. Whether you’re in sales, support, or marketing, dashboards let you see the bigger picture—fast.
Best of all, they update in real-time. As data flows into the system, your dashboard reflects the latest numbers automatically, so you’re never working from outdated information. It’s the ultimate way to monitor progress and stay on top of performance.
SSRS Reports: Deep-Dive, Custom Reporting
For more complex reporting needs, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) offers powerful, structured reporting options. SSRS lets you build detailed, highly customizable reports that pull from multiple data sources. It’s the tool of choice for organizations that need advanced insights—like financial summaries, sales forecasting, or compliance reporting.
You can automate SSRS reports, set them to run on a schedule, and even embed them into your CRM dashboards. It’s a great option when you need consistency, accuracy, and deep reporting functionality tailored to your unique business processes.
Power BI: Interactive Visuals for Big Picture Thinking
While Dynamics CRM offers strong built-in reporting features, Power BI takes it to the next level. When your data gets more complex—or you want to bring in outside sources—Power BI gives you the power to build advanced, interactive dashboards and reports.
These visuals help you identify trends, uncover hidden relationships, and make sense of large data sets. From segmenting your customers to modeling future sales or pinpointing process inefficiencies, Power BI enables strategic, data-driven decision-making in a highly visual and intuitive way.
Next Steps
Logan Consulting is a proud Microsoft partner, and we ensure our clients get the most out of their CRM. Contact us today to speak to an expert.
The post Getting the Most Out of Reporting in Microsoft Dynamics CRM appeared first on CRM Software Blog | Dynamics 365.
