# Installing Postcode Lookup for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

This guide walks you through installing and configuring the Ideal Postcodes address validation extension for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The extension enables UK postcode lookup on any card page with an Address FastTab.

## Overview[​](#overview "Direct link to Overview")

**What this integration provides:**

* Accurate UK address data sourced from national address databases
* Enhanced user experience with faster address entry
* Correct address formatting across all standard address fields
* Improved data quality across all address collection points

## Demo[​](#demo "Direct link to Demo")

![Business Central Postcode Lookup Demo-screenshot](/assets/images/business-central-demo-2a79992dbb5041b9566be49630a75191.gif)

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## 1. Sign up for a Free Trial and Get Your API Key[​](#1-sign-up-for-a-free-trial-and-get-your-api-key "Direct link to 1. Sign up for a Free Trial and Get Your API Key")

Before installing the extension, you'll need an Ideal Postcodes API Key.

**Steps:**

1. Sign up for a free account at [ideal-postcodes.co.uk/sign-up](https://account.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/users/sign_up)
2. Navigate to the **KEYS** section in your account
3. Copy your API Key - you'll need this to complete the setup in Business Central. It's a string of characters that begins with the letters `ak_`

💡 **All new accounts include 50 free test credits - no payment required.**

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## 2. Set Up the Ideal Postcodes Extension in Business Central[​](#2-set-up-the-ideal-postcodes-extension-in-business-central "Direct link to 2. Set Up the Ideal Postcodes Extension in Business Central")

Once you have your API Key, configure Business Central to use Ideal Postcodes as the postcode service provider.

**Steps:**

1. Select **Search** (`Alt+Q`) in the upper-right corner of your Business Central dashboard
2. Enter **Service Connections** and choose the related link

![Business Central Service Connections-screenshot](/assets/images/business-central-service-connections-0d070bddce82a8d78c6dbdea1b95824c.png)

3. On the **Service Connections** page, choose **Postcode Service**
4. On the **Postcode provider configuration** page, choose **Disabled**
5. On the **Postal code service selection** page, choose **IdealPostcodes**

![Ideal Postcodes API Key configuration-screenshot](/assets/images/business-central-api-key-566af2cad7376d7457144deaa15782fd.png)

6. On the **Ideal Postcodes Provider Setup** page:

   <!-- -->

   * Enter the **API Key** from your Ideal Postcodes account
   * Tick the **Enabled** checkbox
   * Choose **OK**

7. Test the API Key and connection by choosing **Actions**, then **Test Connection**.

![IdealPostcodes Provider Setup Test Connection action-screenshot](/assets/images/bc_test_connection-92ebe536ae628d5c71e568b11bbdf284.png)

You should see **Connection test was successful**.

![Connection test was successful dialog-screenshot](/assets/images/bc_connection_successful-9dd11fa5d59466e96ad4f5cbff841c9d.png)

caution

If you see **Connection test failed. Received response 0**, go to **Extension Management** and enable **Allow HttpClient Requests** for the Ideal Postcodes extension.

8. Back on the **Service Connections** page, verify that the **Address Provider** field contains **Ideal Postcodes**. If it does, the service is ready to use.

![Address Provider set to Ideal Postcodes-screenshot](/assets/images/business-central-address-provider-5b062b06062102b970adf39648b1e826.png)

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## 3. Test the Postcode Lookup Extension[​](#3-test-the-postcode-lookup-extension "Direct link to 3. Test the Postcode Lookup Extension")

To verify the extension is working:

1. Open any card page with an **Address FastTab** (e.g. a Customer, Vendor, or Contact card)
2. Enter a UK postcode in the **Post Code** field
3. Choose the **Look up address from postcode** action
4. On the **Address Selection** page, choose the correct address

The address-related fields on the card page will fill in with the data from the chosen address.

![Postcode Lookup address selection-screenshot](/assets/images/business-central-postcode-lookup-9b1580f79cb22ba42ef422757a77eb3e.png)

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info

Need help? Contact our support team via live chat on our website or email <support@ideal-postcodes.co.uk>.