This article is relevant if you are challenged by using NetSuite’s inline edit capacities.
Background
NetSuite’s inline edit function is great — when it works. If you are like me, when I turn on the feature to allow data edits in a spreadsheet row-like fashion, I am in suspense about which fields will allow edits and which ones won’t. It’s the infrequent time that I am surprised that all my data elements can indeed allow edit.
Recently, a client invested in creating a tool that would allow them to treat sales and purchase order lines as projects. Different from NetSuite’s project function, the idea is that every line on a sales order, purchase order, item fulfillment and item receipt represents coordination action between multiple parties. We linked each sales and purchase order line to a respective custom record that we called a “Task Coordinator”. These lines would carry information such as status, follow up dates, and notes. The team needed an easy mechanism to edit these records in spreadsheet like fashion. We could not be limited by NetSuite’s built-in inline edit function for which fields will edit and which ones won’t.
Solving the NetSuite Inline Edit Challenge
To solve the inline edit challenge, we developed a pattern to allow us to define a saved search which then could be bound to a parent form record, similar to the way NetSuite allows you to bind saved searches to act as sublists via SuiteBuilder’s point-and-click customization. We then developed a callback function to a SuiteLet listener that provided a way to post information edited / modified by the user. The SuiteLet could embody all kinds of rules for validation or specialization as needed. Users modify data and the database is updated as they go.
Some of the key features include:
- Joined Searches: we can produce joined searches and allow for edits across multiple linked tables.
- Edit while in View Mode: You can edit your lists while NetSuite is in view mode.
- Filters (addendum): We added a filtering capability to the system, giving it even more flexibility.
- Summary Searches: searches that produce aggregates can also be edited.
- Data Validation: enforce rules information supplied by the user.
Naturally, we can and will extend these capacities as needed.
Flexible Inline Edit Demonstration (4:24)
To better understand how the flexible inline edits work, I created a quick demonstration (4:24) video to illustrate the edits and some of the setup definition.
Get Flexible Inline Edits
The application is part of our Prolecto Utilities Library. Like all the algorithms we have developed for our clients, we provide these building blocks license free as part of our standard services engagement. If you are ready to get in front of your NetSuite inline edit challenge, let’s have a conversation.
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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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Wow. Very slick.
This is close to what we’re looking for but we want to edit sublist fields from a saved search. Is this possible at all? Do you have a solution for this problem?
Let me know. I was flagged as spam and Im not sure if my comments are going through.
Hello Heath,
This framework does work but it requires setup. It’s not as easy as just defining a saved search and off you go. But if you need it in your day-to-day, the setup is well worth it.
Marty