With each new version, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central evolves its development framework, empowering developers to build more interactive and modern user experiences. One of the lesser-known yet powerful page types introduced in recent versions is the “UserControlHost" page type. In this post, we’ll explore what it is, why it exists, and how to use it
What is the UserControlHost Page Type?
The UserControlHost is a new ALpage type introduced in Business Central 2025 release wave 1 (v26). It is designed to host control add-ins asstandalone pages, rather than embedding them within fields of traditional pages like Cards or Lists.
In Simple Terms: Think of UserControlHost as a dedicated page that runs only a custom control add-in—like a custom HTML/JS UI—without other page layout elements (fields, actions, groups).
Why Use UserControlHost?
Previously, control add-ins could only be hosted inside existing pages (e.g., in a field using usercontrol). This made them difficult to reuse or interact with as standalone UIs.
With UserControlHost, you can:
- Display a full-page UI built with JavaScript or HTML5.
- Provide a canvas-like experience for interactive visuals (dashboards, maps, charts, etc.).
Launch control add-ins in a dedicated window/dialog with full control over layout.
Sample Use Case: Embedding a Custom Dashboard
Let’s create a standalone custom dashboard page using the UserControlHost page type.
Step 1: Define the Control Add-In, see image 1.
Step 2: Create the UserControlHost Page, see image 2.
Key Advantages
- Dedicated UI Space: No need to embed control add-ins within a Card or FactBox.
- Cleaner Design: You define only the control add-in, avoiding extra layout clutter.
Reusable Architecture: Enables plug-and-play of external UI controls in modular design.
Things to Keep in Mind
Consideration | Details |
Client Compatibility | Only works in Web Client. |
Full-Page Experience | You can’t combine fields or AL layout blocks—only the control add-in. |
Performance | Optimize scripts and avoid excessive resource loading. |
Permissions | Treat like a regular page—add to permission sets as needed. |
Property | 1. Pages with SubType set to UserControlHost do not support actions AL AL0875 2. The Property ‘SourceTable’ cannot be used if the property ‘PageType’ is set to ‘UserControlHost’ AL AL0876 |
Final Thoughts
The UserControlHost page type brings a new level of flexibility to AL development, especially for developers who want to bridge Business Central with modern frontend components. If you’re working on custom visuals or integrating with external UI frameworks, this page type is worth exploring.
By separating control add-ins into their own pages, Microsoft has opened the door for cleaner, modular, and reusable custom UI design patterns—an exciting shift for the Business Central development ecosystem.
For more details visit to Microsoft Learn Portal
Stay tune for more updates..