Business Central now lets users preview supported image attachments directly in the web client without downloading the image first. The new viewer provides an experience similar to the existing PDF and print preview experiences, while still allowing users to download a copy when they need one.
This improvement makes working with images more convenient across Business Central, including attachments, agents, email scenarios, FactBox thumbnails, and images handled by extensions.
What is the new image preview experience in Business Central?
The Business Central web client can now open supported image files in a dedicated previewer. Instead of downloading an image simply to see its contents, users can select the image and view it directly in the browser.
The viewer follows a familiar Business Central pattern. It is similar to the experience users already know from print preview and PDF preview.
If a local copy is required, the image can still be downloaded from the viewer. The change therefore improves the viewing workflow without removing the ability to save files locally.
Which image formats does Business Central support?
The image preview experience supports a range of commonly used image formats:
JPEG
JPG
PNG
BMP
SVG
WEBP
ICO
GIF
AVIF
GIF and AVIF files can include animated content, so the preview functionality is not limited to static images.
There is also browser-specific support for TIFF and TIF files when using Safari.
This broad format support means that most images encountered in typical Business Central scenarios can be opened directly in the web client.
Can animated GIFs be displayed in FactBox thumbnails?
Yes. One of the additional improvements is support for GIF files as FactBox thumbnails.
Animated GIFs can retain their animation when displayed as thumbnails, with animation supported for GIFs containing up to 48 frames.
This can be useful when a GIF communicates information through a short sequence rather than a single static frame. Users can therefore get more context from a thumbnail without first downloading the file.
Can image thumbnails be clicked to open the previewer?
Yes. Image thumbnails can be clickable and open the previewer window.
This also applies to the first-page thumbnails of PDFs. Instead of treating the thumbnail only as a visual representation of the file, users can use it as a direct entry point to the preview experience.
For users who regularly work with attachments, this reduces the number of steps required to inspect files.
Where is image preview supported?
The feature works across Business Central areas where supported images are presented, including agents, email, and scenarios involving code from extensions.
This is important for developers because an extension can participate in the same type of user experience rather than relying exclusively on a download workflow.
However, extension developers need to explicitly add support for the viewing functionality.
How can extension developers support image preview?
For Business Central online, extension developers should use File.ViewFromStream when they want to provide the image preview experience.
For Business Central on-premises, developers should use File.View.
These methods follow the pattern of the existing File.Download method.
The distinction between online and on-premises is therefore important when implementing file viewing in AL. If an extension currently downloads images so that users can inspect them locally, it is worth reviewing whether the new viewing methods provide a better experience.
The goal is to let Business Central handle the preview inside the web client rather than making the user leave the application or download the file merely to view it.
Why does this matter for Business Central users?
The change may look small, but it addresses a common usability problem: downloading a file when the user only wants to look at it.
Direct preview provides several benefits:
Fewer steps — Users can inspect an image without downloading it first.
A consistent experience — Image viewing follows a familiar preview pattern already used for other Business Central content.
Better attachment handling — Images and thumbnails become more useful entry points for viewing files.
Animated content support — GIFs can remain animated in supported FactBox thumbnail scenarios.
Extension support — Developers can integrate image viewing into custom Business Central functionality.
For organizations that work heavily with images, documents, product information, attachments, or visual content, these small workflow improvements can make the web client feel significantly more streamlined.
What should Business Central developers check?
If you develop extensions for Business Central, review any functionality that currently downloads images or other viewable files when the user only needs to inspect them.
For online extensions, consider File.ViewFromStream. For on-premises implementations, consider File.View.
The exact implementation will depend on how the extension obtains and handles the file stream, but the important point is that the platform now provides a viewing pattern rather than requiring every scenario to be implemented as a download.
Developers should also test supported file types and the behavior of their extension in the target Business Central environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I preview an image in Business Central without downloading it?
Yes. Supported image files can be opened directly in the Business Central web client using the new image preview experience.
Does Business Central support animated GIFs?
Yes. GIF files are supported, including animated GIFs. Animated GIFs can also be displayed as FactBox thumbnails, with animation supported for GIFs up to 48 frames.
Which image formats are supported?
Supported formats include JPEG, JPG, PNG, BMP, SVG, WEBP, ICO, GIF, and AVIF. Safari also supports TIFF and TIF for this feature.
How do extensions open images in Business Central online?
Business Central online extensions can use File.ViewFromStream to support image viewing from a stream.
What method is used for Business Central on premises?
For Business Central on-premises, extension developers can use File.View. The viewing methods follow the pattern of File.Download.
Conclusion
The new image preview experience makes the Business Central web client more convenient by allowing users to view supported image files without downloading them first. It also adds useful capabilities such as animated GIF FactBox thumbnails and clickable image and PDF thumbnails.
For developers, the key takeaway is to use File.ViewFromStream for Business Central online and File.View for on-premises scenarios when implementing file viewing in extensions.
These changes help make image-heavy workflows more efficient while keeping the experience inside the Business Central web client.
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