In OData, a navigation property is a property on an entity that is itself either a single entity or list of entities.

A single-entity navigation property signifies a one-to-one relationship. For example, consider the GWSAMPLE_BASIC SAP Gateway endpoint. The ProductSet contains a ToSupplier navigation property, which references a single BusinessPartner entity.

An entity set navigation property signifies a one-to-many relationship. For example, consider the GWSAMPLE_BASIC SAP Gateway endpoint. The ProductSet contains a ToSalesOrderLineItems navigation property, which references many SalesOrderLineItem objects.

Working with Navigation Properties Relationally

Navigation properties in OData link related entities. Similarly, in a relational database, a foreign key serves to link tables. For example, the SalesOrderLineItem record contains the ProductID column, which uniquely identifies what Product the SalesOrderLineItem is using.

Select

It can be used to retrieve associated entites. See Views for more information on querying navigation properties.

Insert

The provider supports OData deep inserts. See Tables for more information on specifying navigation properties when you create an entity.