As a NetSuite Administrator, have you ever been curious what happens when you trigger the function located at Setup –> Company –> Delete All Data? It should go without saying, this is a dangerous feature. One practice our team uses during implementations is to get a development version of NetSuite. Under this approach, our clients can delay the time to buy a NetSuite sandbox. The sandbox becomes very important after the implementation — when all the client data is in place.
Our implementation approach is to ensure our clients learn all the elements of NetSuite. As such, we want them to have an environment that mimics their future NetSuite production account. For maximum client learning, we can remove all data out of the development version so that it mimics the empty NetSuite account that our clients will receive when they first get their account provisioned.
When calling the delete all data function, you are presented with the following warning (click for larger image):
Once you click OK on Delete All Data, NetSuite will then prompt you to chose a default list of chart of accounts. Here is the list of different simplified chart of account styles you can pick from:
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Architecture/Design
- Computer Consulting
- Computer Software
- Construction/Contracting
- Custom Chart of Accounts
- Farming
- General Business
- General Consulting
- Insurance Agency
- Legal
- Manufacturing
- Product Sales
- Professional Services
- Real Estate
- Restaurant/Bar Retail Service Business
- Medical/Dental
NetSuite requires a basic chart of accounts defined for its virgin system to ensure the system works right. This should not be a big deal. Typically, it will produce about two dozen accounts that can be tailored for the real setup.
After you perform the delete data function, everything will need to be setup. Immediately, I recommend setting up an employee record with your email address in a NetSuite Administrator role so that you ensure that you don’t lose access to the account forcing you to get NetSuite Support assistance.
You should be satisfied now and not tempted to live dangerously by clicking the delete all data menu item. Let me know if you have other useful suggestions for the Delete All Data function.
Marty Zigman
Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.
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Sir
what do you mean when deleting all transaction or using the Delete All: (Website and Intranet data)
When we use the feature ” Delete All data” will it affect our license?
After you delete your NetSuite data, the system will be virgin (new). All your NetSuite data will be gone. The licenses and the modules you purchased will be in tact. You will be able to log into the new system with the email address you used to perform the purge. But you will need to setup absolutely everything again. We use this often on our Test Drive accounts as we perform software development.
See this option under the NetSuite Administrator Classic Workcenter Menu.
Hi Marty,
We have a OneWorld account. Can the delete be restricted to one subsidiary transactions?
It’s all gone. Meaning, you can’t distinguish a subsidiary. Use with caution.
Marty
This happened to us and I’d like to know if there is a way to check any logs as to who did this? Is this possible after a delete all?
Thanks
Hi Dave,
That’s a good question (and not a good situation). Normally, you have access to the system audit log but this operation is global. I would contact NetSuite customer support to ask. I suspect this event can be detected by their internal logs. Here is a good reason to be very careful with granting Administrator access rights without serious consideration for the possible damage.
Marty
i have use this delete all data option, how much they will take to release access to my account. i can’t access my account
On a Test Drive account, I have seen cases where it doesn’t seem to come back. At that point, you need to connect with NetSuite customer support to regain access. Good luck!
Hi,
Can we delete a entire data from a particular subsidiary in a netsuite one world account?
Thank you
Hello Rajitha,
No, there is no native NetSuite automated function to do this. We have built a number of delete scripts that will recursively walk records and unwind transactions.
Marty
Hi, I cannot find the “delete all data” button anywhere. Do you know if this feature is still available in netsuite?
Hi German,
Indeed, I don’t see the menu option any longer. I suspect we need to ask NetSuite support to trigger it. I always thought it was a treacherous option.
Marty
If I deleted an invoice in netsuite. How can I retrieve it?
Jongie,
It’s gone. You may be able to detect if it is gone if you have “Delete Auditing” on but you can’t restore it without talking to NetSuite Support.